Kings County deputies come to aid of domestic violence victim in Kettleman City

When authorities arrived on the scene, they met with the victim, who explained that as she and her 13-year-old son were getting ready for bed, her elderly mother thought she heard someone pounding on the front door of their home. The victim checked the area but did not see or hear anything. The victim returned to her bedroom with her son and returned to bed. 

The victim was in bed when she was grabbed by her former boyfriend, Demetrio Castro, who she said broke into the residence. According to deputies, Castro placed the victim in a bear hug and forced her toward the home's front door.

In desperation, the victim grabbed onto the door frame to prevent the suspect, Castro, from taking her. The victim's mother, who uses a cane,  intervened by hanging on to the victim's pant legs. The suspect, Castro, violently jerked the victim away from the door frame and her mother's grasp, causing the mother to fall, and injuring her knees.

Once outside, Demetrio forcibly led the victim down the street toward his vehicle, screaming at Castro to let her go. Castro, say deputies, refused and attempted to force the victim into his car. The victim continued to fight back in a last-chance effort to prevent her kidnapping.

Deputies reported that neighbors were outside and witnessed what was happening. A neighbor told Castro to let the victim go and called the Sheriff's Office. The suspect let go of the victim, and she quickly got away. According to witnesses, Castro got into this car and left the scene.

The victim sustained injuries that later required medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

As the investigation unfolded, deputies located Castro's address but could not apprehend him. The following evening, the Avenal Police Department tracked and arrested Castro, turning him into the Kings County Sheriff's Office.  

Deputies booked the suspect into the Kings County Jail on charges of domestic violence, kidnapping, false imprisonment, elder abuse, burglary, and attempting to dissuade a victim or witness. He is being held without bail.