A Denver woman currently fears for her life after allegedly being held hostage for two months -- by her ex-boyfriend.
31-year-old Eric Barney has been arrested for assault, sexual assault, felony menacing, and kidnapping. The unnamed victim states she broke up with Barney in July. Fox reports she is in hiding.
On July 24, Barney returned the woman's car he had borrowed, insisting on speaking with her. When she told him to leave, reports 9News, Barney allegedly became violent, hitting her several times. The victim went to the hospital on July 25 and told authorities of the violence, who issued a warrant for Barney's arrest but were unable to find him.
On September 28, more than two months later, the woman returned to the hospital -- this time with two broken ribs, a broken nose, and bruises on her face. According to 7News, Barney had allegedly entered the woman's house while she slept, shortly after her first visit to the hospital. When she asked him to leave, he threatened her, saying "I can do whatever I want, and I'm not leaving you, ever."
For the next two months, writes Westword, police believe Barney forced the woman to stay inside her house, confined to her bedroom unless she was granted permission to go to the bathroom. The police report indicates physical abuse, including a mattress and blood-stained walls.
Barney reportedly threatened to kill her and harm her family if she contacted police. Fox 31 reports Barney has a history of domestic assault, including a 2004 fist-degree murder charge.
Photos from Eric Barney's Facebook page: