A man from North Carolina endured a harrowing experience after being trapped in a storage unit for four days without food or water. The man, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, was allegedly locked in the unit by his girlfriend during a dispute. He was eventually able to locate his phone in the pitch-black unit and call for help.
The accused, Robin Deaton, 52, was taken into custody on February 27. She faces charges of attempted murder and kidnapping. The incident reportedly took place on February 20 at a Cooper Storage facility in Monroe, a city approximately 25 miles southeast of Charlotte.
The victim told authorities that during an argument at the storage unit, Deaton asked him to retrieve something from inside. Once he was inside, she allegedly locked the door, trapping him in the unit for the next four days.
After enduring four days in the dark, without food or water, the man was able to find his cellphone and dial 911. During the call, which was later obtained by local CBS affiliate WBTV, he told dispatchers that he had been locked in the unit for about a week and had just found his phone. He also mentioned that his girlfriend had put two locks on the unit.
When asked if he needed medical assistance, the man responded that he just needed to get out, as he was struggling to breathe and had not had anything to drink.
Monroe Police Lt. Morgan Malone stated that the man was treated for dehydration at a hospital and subsequently released. Malone also noted that the storage unit was packed full, which may have contributed to the man’s difficulty in locating his phone. The unit was described as a “hoarder’s paradise,” with items falling out as soon as the door was opened.
The man also told dispatchers that he had no cell service inside the unit, only the ability to dial 911. This meant that he could not receive calls or notifications that would have illuminated his phone.
Following the man’s rescue, police obtained a warrant for Deaton’s arrest. She was apprehended on February 27 and is currently being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.