Cops: Missing Ind. mom found safe after being held captive

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. - A southwest Indiana sheriff says authorities believe an Evansville woman missing nearly two months was held captive under terrible conditions in a mobile home. A couple is now under arrest in the case, reports CBS affiliate WISH.

Joelle Lockwood, a mother of two, has been missing since July 9. She was discovered alive in the mobile home in Posey County, west of Evansville, Saturday night.

Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth tells the Indy Star that Lockwood was held against her will and spent time locked in a wooden cage.

Ricky Roy House, Jr., 37, and his girlfriend 44-year-old Kendra Tooley face preliminary charges of rape and criminal confinement, reports WISH. They were arrested at the mobile home and will face a judge Monday.

Oeth says a man who stopped by the home because he was friends with the couple rescued Lockwood and drove her to Evansville.

The man, Ron Higgs, told police the couple showed him where they were keeping Lockwood - in a cage, held by a dog collar, with no food or water, reports the station.

Higgs reportedly told police that Lockwood said, "Please, do not leave here without me."

The Indy Star reports that Lockwood was confined after House, who had gone to school with her, offered her a ride to another part of town. He reportedly suggested they spend time at his mobile home.

"Once they arrived there, he forced her to stay and confined her," Oeth told the paper. "As the investigation is progressing, this looks like there's more of a sexual motive."

According to the paper, Lockwood told investigators her alleged captors sometimes allowed her to walk around the trailer. At other times, she said she was kept in a cage or tied up.

Oeth says Lockwood was taken to a hospital briefly Saturday night and then returned to her family.

Lockwood's mother, Candace, says everyone is exhausted but thrilled she is home.

"JOELLE IS FOUND!!! SHE IS ALIVE AND WELL," read a message on the "Help Find Joelle" Facebook page, which has garnered more than 4,200 "Likes." "She appreciates everyone's time and energy."