Woman allegedly assaulted, held captive, and denied food after meeting man on dating app
01/05/2023 4:20 pm PST
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (TCD) -- A 21-year-old man is accused of kidnapping a woman he met on the dating app Bumble and holding her hostage for several days.
According to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4, on Dec. 29, deputies went to an apartment complex on the 24200 block of Kuykendahl Road regarding a woman who had been "severely assaulted by a male suspect she met on a dating platform."
Constable Mark Herman identified the suspect as Zachary Mills.
The woman, who remained unnamed, allegedly went to Mills' residence Dec. 24 and was held captive until she managed to escape and seek help on Dec. 29. She was reportedly "denied food and water and was assaulted and sexually assaulted multiple times leading to serious bodily injury."
Mills' criminal complaint alleges he used a screwdriver to threaten her as well as sexually assault her.
The two reportedly matched on Bumble and began a romantic relationship. On Dec. 24, Mills reportedly picked up the woman from her house and and drove her to his apartment. He reportedly "attempted to start to have sexual intercourse" with the woman as soon as they walked in.
When she said no, he allegedly "immediately began to physically assault her and would not let her leave the residence."
Mills reportedly hit the woman with a closed fist, bit her neck and face, and struck her with the screwdriver handle. Mills did not allow her to have any food or water for the five days she was held captive, according to the complaint.
On Dec. 29, Mills went to his father’s house, and the victim "gathered up her clothes and ran out the door and contacted the first people who she came in contact with."
She suffered "severe" bruising to both eyes, bite marks and cuts on her nose and throat, and bruising on the majority of her body.
Mills was charged with first-degree kidnapping. He was booked in the Harris County Jail but bonded out.
Constable Herman said Mills could face additional charges.
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