SC - Man kept 4 vulnerable adults captive in his basement for 10 years while he spent their money - Lancaster, 2015

[Clearsky]

Man, 35, Allegedly Kept 4 'Vulnerable Adults' Locked in His S.C. Basement for 10 Years While Spending Their Money

A 35-year-old man has been accused of keeping at least four vulnerable adults trapped in the basement of his South Carolina home for over 10 years. According to local news outlets, Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr. was allegedly taking his victims’ money for his own gain while controlling their eating...

people.com

On Aug. 1, Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr. was arrested and charged with a lengthy list of crimes, including four counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, financial fraud, false imprisonment, and domestic violence, per the Lancaster County Detention Center.

 

[Wilma_W]

This case already looks horrific and we don't even know most of the details yet. Thank you Clearsky for starting this thread!

I just found out about this from a Youtube video from Law & Crime:

 

[Melsworld]

This is from my hometown and is really creeping me out. I am friends from high school with his stepmom so for years I've seen the family pictures. I know things but not sure what I'm allowed to say.

 

[NervousNellie]

This case already looks horrific and we don't even know most of the details yet. Thank you Clearsky for starting this thread!

I just found out about this from a Youtube video from Law & Crime:

Lots of good information in that video; thanks for sharing @Wilma_W! I totally recommend everyone watch it for the details (skip the TruthFinder ad).

A few things I learned (that I can remember):

• Two of the four victims were a couple; the wife is the one who died. It is unknown how Birchfield knew them.
• The other two victims were women who dated him. One was there ten years; the other moved into the house in September of last year.
• He did let them out of the house at times; I will be interested in those details. I wonder when is the last time that happened, given the victims' physical description.
• They had phones but he controlled the access.

I hope the surviving victims get well.

 

[Melsworld]

One of the "women" that had been there since last year is only 18 and would have been underage when she moved into the home. She was also arrested on 8/2 the same day as Donnie Jr. He lives in the basement of his pastor dad & stepmom. His sister also lives in the home.

 

[NervousNellie]

One of the "women" that had been there since last year is only 18 and would have been underage when she moved into the home. She was also arrested on 8/2 the same day as Donnie Jr. He lives in the basement of his pastor dad & stepmom. His sister also lives in the home.

Are you saying this hostage situation was occurring in a home where three other adults also lived, presumably upstairs?

ETA: please share your source

 

[NervousNellie]

Also, from the Law & Crime video posted above and this People article, Birchfield apparently threatened his girlfriend that had moved into the home in Sept 2024 by saying he knew how to get rid of a body --from experience. Clearly he did not know how to get rid of a dead body.

Man, 35, Allegedly Kept 4 'Vulnerable Adults' Locked in His S.C. Basement for 10 Years While Spending Their Money

A 35-year-old man has been accused of keeping at least four vulnerable adults trapped in the basement of his South Carolina home for over 10 years. According to local news outlets, Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr. was allegedly taking his victims’ money for his own gain while controlling their eating...

people.com

 

[Melsworld]

Also, from the Law & Crime video posted above and this People article, Birchfield apparently threatened his girlfriend that had moved into the home in Sept 2024 by saying he knew how to get rid of a body --from experience. Clearly he did not know how to get rid of a dead body.

Man, 35, Allegedly Kept 4 'Vulnerable Adults' Locked in His S.C. Basement for 10 Years While Spending Their Money

A 35-year-old man has been accused of keeping at least four vulnerable adults trapped in the basement of his South Carolina home for over 10 years. According to local news outlets, Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr. was allegedly taking his victims’ money for his own gain while controlling their eating...

people.com

Exactly, but thought about it for a day. Still haven't heard how this was reported or found out. The girlfriend has pictures of them together clearly in a relationship, they're kissing. Yuck!