Woman says she escaped captivity by male spouse

A man allegedly confined his estranged “girlfriend/spouse” in their home Friday in Tomball, violating a protective order, and authorities had to use tear gas to force him out after her escape, according to Harris County Constable Precinct 1.

The woman, 62, escaped from the house and ran next door to a neighbor, who called police and paramedics, according to a Harris County Constable Precinct 1 post on social media. The woman was taken to a hospital with injuries.

The Constable’s office had not provided information Tuesday as to the length of time the woman had been confined in the home against her will.

The man, 43, apparently violated a protective order at the home and barricaded himself inside, according to the post. A Harris County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team used tear gas to get him out of the home, and he was eventually apprehended.

It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday whether additional charges had been filed against the man.

Additionally, the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized the man’s animals, which included three Bullmastiff dogs and four African tortoises. The animals were suffering implications related to the heat and other health-related concerns.

When an animal cruelty investigation was launched, workers also discovered a dead dog decomposing in a back closet of the house.

Images posted of the home by Precinct 1 show trash covering the floor, furniture turned over and grime everywhere.

It was not immediately clear how the woman had been restrained, how she managed to escape and whether she suffered any injuries while reportedly being held captive.