Florida couple charged with abuse for zip-tying 12-year-old girl in playhouse
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Law enforcement personnel search a child's playhouse as the manhunt for convicted murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat, on June 26, 2015 in Chasm Falls, New York. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
A Florida radiologist and his wife are facing child abuse charges after authorities say they routinely tied up a 12-year-old girl who lived at their home and confined her to a playhouse.
Local media outlets report 51-year-old Eugenio Erquiaga and 53-year-old Victoria Erquiaga turned themselves in Wednesday.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office reports deputies began investigating after the girl appeared at a neighbor's home Dec. 27 with zip ties around her hands and ankles. The office says she told neighbors she had been tied up and left home alone.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Erquiagas reportedly told investigators the girl was prone to violent outbursts and needed to be restrained to protect her and seven other children at the home.
The Erquiagas were being held without bail on aggravated child abuse charges. Jail records didn't list an attorney.