South Carolina Man Accused of Holding Four Adults Captive for Years

South Carolina Man Accused of Holding Four Adults Captive for Years

A South Carolina man is accused of holding four adults captive in his basement for years, abusing them, and stealing their money—only being exposed after one woman died, authorities said.

Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr., 35, of Lancaster, allegedly imprisoned a vulnerable married couple and two women he was romantically involved with, according to warrants obtained by the Courier Post. Police say he controlled nearly every aspect of their lives, including when they could eat or use the bathroom, while subjecting them to physical abuse.

The case came to light July 25 when the married woman died after being denied food, medical care, and sustenance, investigators said. When police responded, they found her husband and the two other women still being held.

Birchfield was arrested Aug. 1 and charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult, four counts of false imprisonment, domestic violence, and later fraud and exploitation for allegedly draining the victims’ finances. Court records show he spent thousands of dollars from their accounts, including nearly $12,000 in the past eight months to pay off his own debts.

Authorities said the married couple were considered vulnerable adults, and Birchfield had been acting as their caregiver. One of his girlfriends told investigators he threatened to kill her and her family, and claimed he “knew how to dispose of a body.”

Birchfield remains in custody at the Lancaster County Detention Center on $150,000 bond as officials await autopsy results that could lead to further charges.