Woman held captive in pit, neighbor arrested

[zenkai]

Source

BLANCHESTER, OH (FOX19) -

A crying woman was found captive in a pit dug in her neighbor's backyard shed early Wednesday, police say.

The victim's neighbor was arrested and charged with her kidnapping.

Police say Dennis Dunn has known mental health issues.

He was handcuffed and placed in the back of a Blanchester cruiser amid heavy police presence at a Central Avenue home shortly after 8:15 a.m.

Authorities said they took him to Clinton Memorial Hospital.

Officers first responded to the neighborhood about 2 a.m.

They said a neighbor called to report hearing cries from a backyard shed in the 100 block of Central Avenue.

The first officer who arrived also heard the cries, which led him to the shed.

That's where police say he found the woman being held captive.

She was trapped down a pit that had been dug at the bottom of the shed, they said.

A wooden board covered the pit. Heavy objects had been placed on top of the board to hold it down.

Police said it would have been impossible for the victim to get out.

Dunn is known to Blanchester police.

He was charged April 6 with disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana after police say he repeatedly called them to his his home because he heard voices or thought people were trying to get in.

The incidents prompted Blanchester's police chief to tell a newspaper the case highlights flaws in Ohio's mental health system.

“This is a case that illustrates the failure of the mental health system in Ohio,” Reinbolt told the Wilmington Journal News.

“It would appear to me that Mr. Dunn is in need of some sort of psychiatric treatment. He was taken to a mental health provider in order to receive that treatment. Within 24 hours he was released, but continues to exhibit the same symptoms.

“Over the past several decades the State of Ohio has closed most of its inpatient mental health facilities, leaving few beds available for individuals who need inpatient care. Unfortunately, I am convinced that doing so has left individuals like Mr. Dunn without the care and treatment they need and deserve."

The chief's remarks came after Dunn repeatedly called police to his home that week.

Dunn said people were trying to break into his house and could hear voices, police records show.

Police checked the area and found no one.

They smelled burnt marijuana outside the home, record state.

Dunn told an officer he smoked marijuana to help calm his nerves and grows it in the house for his personal use.

Police found and seized several small, potted marijuana plants.

They responded to the home again when Dunn called police to complain people were trying to break in.

Again, no one was found.

Police were yet again called to the residence - this time by neighbors who said Dunn was in the yard with a pistol in his hand.

An officer saw Dunn in the yard with a gun in his hand, but he retreated into the home as the officer pulled up, records show.

Dunn then came out the front door - gun still in hand - yelling about people being inside his home.

Police ordered Dunn to drop the firearm. He did not immediately comply, so police issued additional orders.

He finally set the gun down on a lawn chair on the porch, according to police.

A second Blanchester police officer arrived to assist, and Dunn was taken by police car to Clermont Mercy Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

No one was found in his home, and the firearm was seized.

A few days later, Dunn, who had been released from the hospital, called police again.

This time, he told officers people were pounding on the window of his home, Reinbolt said.

Later that day, Blanchester police filed charges against Dunn of disorderly conduct and drug charges.

He has a May 4 scheduling conference on the case in Clinton County Municipal Court.

Dunn also has previous traffic violations and some financial civil suits, records state.

We need better mental health programs in the US, this is just crazy.

[Tackhisis]

We should stop lying about marijuana being harmless.

[Miyagie]

Incoming Silence of the Lambs jokes.

[Dug]

We should stop lying about marijuana being harmless.

Right wasn't the obvious schizophrenia it was that evil plant.

[zenkai]

We should stop lying about marijuana being harmless.

That made me laugh, well done sir.

[GennGreymane]

But Teeeennnnnnn, that requires government

[Deleted]

Right wasn't the obvious schizophrenia it was that evil plant.

Which naturally can't have any part whatsoever in either triggering or intensifying schizophrenia, right?

[Dug]

Which naturally can't have any part whatsoever in either triggering or intensifying schizophrenia, right?

The underlying issue is still the mental illness that's causing him extreme paranoia and anti social behavior

[cubby]

Which naturally can't have any part whatsoever in either triggering or intensifying schizophrenia, right?

Just like anything could have a slight chance at triggering or intensifying schizophrenia, right?

Oh, and this:

The underlying issue is still the mental illness that's causing him extreme paranoia and anti social behavior

[Swalload]

Which naturally can't have any part whatsoever in either triggering or intensifying schizophrenia, right?

Trigger schizophrenia? Like, you don't have it and then after smoking you have it?

That's not how this works, that's not how any of this works.

[Zoibert the Bear]

We do this amongst bears all the time. Not a big deal. Note that we bears do not smoke Marijuana nor can suffer from schizophrenia, just for the heck of it.

[Docturphil]

It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again.

[Dug]

Actully he's not wrong. Weed and schizophrenia have a very weird relationship. Look it up. Many research papers exist on the subject. But I smoke a lot so it's only for some people.

Yeah but you'd have to be already susceptible or suffering from it to get the bad effects is the point. Weed won't just make you into a schitzo

[Stormspark]

Yeah but you'd have to be already susceptible or suffering from it to get the bad effects is the point. Weed won't just make you into a schitzo

It's not a cause, it's a symptom. Weed (and alcohol as well) are often used by people with mental illnesses to "self medicate".

There is a relationship, but it's not "weed causes mental illness", it's "mentally ill people often use both it and alcohol to self medicate because of the hideously poor state of mental health treatment in the US".

[Dug]

It's not a cause, it's a symptom. Weed (and alcohol as well) are often used by people with mental illnesses to "self medicate".

There is a relationship, but it's not "weed causes mental illness", it's "mentally ill people often use both it and alcohol to self medicate because of the hideously poor state of mental health treatment in the US".

Can confirm use alcohol to manage my anxiety.

[Revik]

Incoming Silence of the Lambs jokes.

Why do you think he skins them?

[filiral]

Incoming Silence of the Lambs jokes.

The director of the film died today, actually.

[Laerrus]

Incoming Silence of the Lambs jokes.

It puts the lotion on the skin or else it gets the hose again!

[Dug]

Ya thats true. But some people who could have lived along time without it starting up if they never smoked. But it's super rare either way.

I would say though that's more an effect of being new to smoking. For first time smokers a lot of the time it can be crazy intense before you get used to it. Is for me at least since I've only ever smoked a handful of times and every time I get super anxious but I also have anxiety issues so y'know back to the underlying issue.

[Swalload]

Yeah but you'd have to be already susceptible or suffering from it to get the bad effects is the point. Weed won't just make you into a schitzo

Exactly what I meant.