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Chained teen shows up at Calif. gym, 2 arrested

By SUDHIN THANAWALA – 1 hour ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A husband and wife have been charged with torture and other counts after a bruised, terrified 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, claiming he had just fled his captors, authorities said Tuesday.

Kelly Lau Schumacher, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, were arrested late Monday, said Matt Robinson, a spokesman for police in Tracy.

They had been taken into custody for questioning earlier in the day at their home in Tracy, where the emaciated boy was allegedly held against his will. A search of the home turned up evidence implicating the couple, Robinson said. Tracy is about 60 miles east of San Francisco.

They were charged with torture, kidnapping and child abuse, and were set to appear in court Thursday, officials said. Bail was set at $1.2 million for Michael Schumacher but his wife's bail had not been set, authorities said.

Police said they were searching for a third suspect but wouldn't give details.

The boy turned up half-naked Monday at the In-Shape Sports Club, near the couple's home. It's not clear how he ended up in Tracy; authorities said he ran away last year from a foster home in Sacramento, about 70 miles to the north.

Robinson said the boy was confused when approached by detectives Monday, unsure where he had come from and how long had been held against his will. He was taken to a hospital.

"The wounds he had and his physical condition as well as having a chain around his leg corroborated his basic statement that he was being held against his will," Robinson said.

Chuck Ellis, a manager of the In-Shape Sports Club, said the boy came into the fitness center Monday afternoon wearing only boxer briefs, covered with what appeared to be soot. Ellis says the teen was scared someone was going to come after him and asked to be hidden.

"He said `Don't let them get me, don't let them get me,'" Ellis said. "He was totally terrified."

Ellis said the teenager told him he was picked up after running away from the foster home to look for his family and that he had been held for almost a year. Ellis said he looked like he was only 10 to 12 years old.

Robinson said detectives plan to interview the boy more Tuesday when he is a "little healthier."

Ludacris, Jeezy and T.I Campaign for Martin

Both candidates in tomorrow’s Senate runoff election brought out the big dogs today. GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss was joined by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who attended 4 rallies culminating at the Gwinnett Center late today.

Meanwhile rappers T.I., Young Jeezy and Ludacris braved 30+ degree temps to campaign for Democrat Jim Martin at the state Capitol in downtown Atlanta.

All three rappers took the podium to urge their fans to vote for Martin who is in a tight race with Chambliss.

At stake is complete control of Congress for the Democrats if Martin comes from behind to win.

That is hardly likely since polls show Chambliss ahead with a comfortable margin. But it’s great to see the young brothers on quite a different stage than what they are used to.

The fact that Jeezy, Luda and T.I. joined together to lend their support to a political cause that they think is important to our community shows just how far they’ve come as men, fathers and responsible citizens!!

Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss enlisted Sarah Palin to rally conservatives while Democratic challenger Jim Martin pushed to activate black voters, as they grappled for advantage in a Tuesday runoff that will shape Democrats' hold on power in Washington.

"We feel great about our campaign," Martin said in a telephone interview. "People want someone to go to Washington who is an independent voice but who will also work with our president."

The Martin camp is working to get black voters back to the polls. Black turnout in Georgia topped 30 percent in the general election with Obama on the ticket.

Martin planned to cap election eve campaigning with a Capitol rally with Atlanta rapper Ludacris.