SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A husband and wife were arrested after an emaciated, terrified and nearly naked 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, saying he had just fled his captors, authorities said Tuesday.

Police were also seeking the boy’s aunt and had an outstanding felony warrant against her for an earlier alleged assault against the teen.

The boy, who authorities said ran away from a Sacramento foster home last year, came into a fitness center Monday wearing only boxer briefs and covered in what appeared to be soot, said Chuck Ellis, a manager of the In-Shape Sports Club. The teen was scared someone was going to come after him and asked to be hidden, Ellis said.

“He said, ‘Don’t let them get me, don’t let them get me,”‘ Ellis said. “He was totally terrified.”

The boy said he had been held captive for nearly a year, said Ellis, adding that he looked as if he was only 10 to 12 years old.

Police arrested Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, late Monday after questioning the couple, and a subsequent search of their nearby home found further evidence implicating them, Tracy police spokesman Matt Robinson said.

They were booked on charges of torture, kidnapping and child abuse, and were set to appear in court Thursday, according to online jail records. The couple were being held at San Joaquin County jail on bail of nearly $1.2 million each.

Police still were seeking Caren Ramirez, 43, the boy’s aunt, on suspicion of participating in the alleged abuse, Robinson said. Investigators were trying to figure out the connection between the couple and Ramirez, who authorities believe occasionally visited the home in Tracy, about 70 miles south of Sacramento.

Robinson said the boy was confused when approached by detectives Monday, unsure where he had come from and how long had been held against his will. He was taken to a hospital.

“The wounds he had and his physical condition, as well as having a chain around his leg, corroborated his basic statement that he was being held against his will,” Robinson said.

Robinson said detectives plan to interview the boy more Tuesday when he is a “little healthier.”

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Associated Press writer Sudhin Thanawala contributed to this report.

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