South Carolina Man in Handcuffs After Holding Four Adults Captive in Basement for 10 Years.

South Carolina Man in Handcuffs After Holding Four Adults Captive in Basement for 10 Years.

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Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, is now in handcuffs in Lancaster, South Carolina, after authorities uncovered a disturbing case of long-term abuse.

Police were initially called to investigate an unattended death at Birchfield’s home in late July.

What they found revealed a decade-long nightmare: four adults—two elderly neighbors and two women romantically linked to Birchfield—had allegedly been held captive in his basement for up to ten years.

Investigators say Birchfield controlled every aspect of their lives, including when they could eat, use the bathroom, and communicate.

He reportedly stole over $11,000 from the victims’ bank accounts to pay off personal debts and shop at Walmart.

One woman had lived there since 2015, another since 2024.

Birchfield allegedly used threats and physical violence to maintain control, including strangling one of the women.

He now faces multiple charges, including false imprisonment, domestic abuse, financial fraud, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Authorities are awaiting further medical reports and say additional charges may follow.

The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about how such abuse went unnoticed for so long.