A kidnapped 12-year-old girl in Alabama was forced to chew her way free from restraints as she escaped capture.
She's since been labelled as a 'hero' and her escape has led to the arrest of Jose Paulino Pascual-Reyes, 37, along with the discovery of two decomposed bodies.
The little girl is believed to have been spotted by a motorist who called authorities.
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According to court documents, the girl was tied to a bed post for a week and was allegedly drugged with alcohol.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said that they stood by the affidavit in court, which allowed the department to arrest Pascual-Reyes for kidnapping in the first degree.
At a press conference, Abbett said: "Yesterday, about 08:26, our office received a call of a young juvenile female walking in the roadway in the area of 3547 County Road 34, I think most of you has been to the scene.
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"During the initial investigation from the information that we received and collected we were able to arrest a Jose Paulino Pascual-Reyes of this same address of County Road 34 for kidnapping in the first degree.
"And he was arrested in Auburn and Somerville circle by the Marshall Service and the Auburn Police Department.
"During this overnight investigation processing the residence we have located two decomposed bodies that were found and currently at the department forensic sciences pending the identification."
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He added: "I would say she's a hero and it's one of those things that we want to get into until later.
"We gave her medical attention and she has been she's safe now and so we want to keep her that."
Abbett also confirmed that the girl was 'not considered a missing person' and has kept her identify safe to protect herself and family members.
He also refused to comment on what relationship Pascual-Reyes had with the minor and commented: "We are not at the stage to release the relationship.
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"We do not want to infringe on what is going on behind the scenes."
District Attorney Jeremy Duerr added: "At this time we're looking at multiple counts of capital murder, along with kidnapping in the first degree and of course once we continue and finish our investigation.
"I feel certain that several more charges will follow."
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Anish Vij