A Clear Lake man is facing serious charges after investigators say he held his disabled wife captive inside their home for years, severely restricting her access to food and communication.
According to court documents, James Earl Johnson, 46, was arrested on March 6 and charged in connection with the alleged abuse of his wife, Ruby, in the couple’s Clear Lake home.
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Authorities say Ruby, who is disabled, had been confined to a bedroom for approximately five years inside the couple’s home on the 3900 block of Crown Ridge Court.
Ruby was kept locked inside the room without access to a phone and had extremely limited contact with the outside world, documents allege.
Court records state Johnson would leave his wife a single egg to eat during the day, later returning home to give her dinner.
The alleged captivity came to light after Ruby Johnson was able to dial 911 when her husband accidentally left a phone on the nightstand before leaving the house.
Authorities responded to the home and began investigating the situation, ultimately leading to Johnson’s arrest.
Police have not yet released additional details about Ruby’s condition or whether she required medical treatment after being rescued.