A Del Valle man was arrested for allegedly tying up and torturing another family member on the Autism spectrum in a garage for four days in June.
According to the arrest affidavit, 34-year-old Cody Lee Porter is charged with a third-degree felony of bodily injury to a child, elderly, or disabled individual.
On June 16, Travis County Sheriff's deputies responded to a residence at 15400 Summer Ray Drive in Del Valle for a welfare check on Corey Kunze, the victim. The caller stated Corey was "scared for his life" and had marks on his wrists from being unlawfully restrained and abused.
When deputies knocked on the door, Porter opened the door but quickly shut it when he saw them. Deputies learned Porter immediately told the victim, who is diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, and Autism, to shower and change his clothes after not being permitted to for one month.
About 30 minutes later, Porter opened the door. Both the suspect and the victim were taken to the Sheriff's office for interviews.
Deputies described the victim as "on the emaciated side of slender, unkempt" and "had multiple plainly visible ligature marks on his wrists and face and walked with a limp."
Kunze told detectives that on June 9, Porter believed Kunze had stolen a fuse he needed to fix their mother's vehicle. When Kunze said he didn't have it, Porter got angry, threatened his life, and tied Kunze up in the attached garage from that Thursday to Sunday, June 12.
Porter's mother, Heidi, was there but told Kunze not to struggle.
Kunze was tied up with an ace bandage inside and across his mouth and had the restraints attached to a clamp so that he wouldn't escape. The ropes were tied so tight, that they cut into his skin, causing immense pain.
Deputies also learned Kunze was deprived of food the entire time he was bound but was given water once by Heidi and Tylenol. Kunze also urinated on himself on several occasions.
One day, Kunze laid feet away from Porter while he worked on a vehicle. At one point, Porter sprayed Kunze with "uncomfortably" hot water from a water bottle meant for flies.
Deputies say Kunze was finally given a sandwich on Monday, June 13. Kunze revealed Porter has tied him up and abused him in the past for three days. The suspect would also take photos and send them to his friends. The first time he was restrained was in 2018.
A doctor examined Kunze after his interview with detectives and determined the bindings caused permanent nerve damage to his left hand and left foot. The doctor also said he was suffering from severe electrolyte imbalances caused by a lack of food and water for an extended period of time. The non-air-conditioned garage also played a role in his current state of health.
An arrest warrant was also issued for the suspect's mother, Heidi, for not intervening. CBS Austin has requested a copy of that arrest affidavit and will update this story as soon as it's received.