STOCKTON, Calif. -- Three out of four people accused of torturing a teenage boy in Tracy pleaded guilty Friday morning, just days before their trial was scheduled to start.Michael Schumacher, Kelly Lau and Caren Ramirez were sentenced to at least three decades in prison each.
A fourth defendant, Anthony Waiters, was not at a court hearing held Friday in Stockton. He is expected to face trial.
There's still a gag order in the case, but prosecutors explained why they think a plea deal was a good idea.
"There are three minors involved in this matter, two of whom don't have to testify against their parents, which is a huge consideration," Deputy District Attorney Angela Hayes said, alluding to Schumacher and Lau's children.
Police said Schumacher and Lau held the boy against his will for more than a year and, along with the teen's one-time guardian, Ramirez, beat him, denied him food and sometimes kept him chained to the fireplace or a heavy table inside a Tracy home.
Waiters lived near Schumacher and Lau on Tennis Lane. He has pleaded not guilty.
The boy escaped in 2008 and showed up at a local fitness center bruised, emaciated and wearing a shackle on his ankle.
Under terms of the plea deal, Schmacher faces 30 years in prison, Lau faces 33 years and Ramirez faces 34 years.
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