A father and stepmother have been arrested after they allegedly chained a teen to a kitchen table and physically abused him for two days before he managed to escape, according to authorities.

Sacramento police said they found the 13-year-old victim asking neighbors for help on the 7300 block of Winnett Way just before 10:00 p.m. Friday while still restrained by lengths of chain padlocked around his neck and ankles.

The sight of the chained boy startled neighbor Samantha Xiong, who didn't know how to react to the late night appearance, especially with her own two young children in her house.

"The little boy was walking and he asked us for a chain cutter," Samantha said. "I told him we didn't have one, so he just walked away."

Samantha said she thought the boy may have been an escaped prisoner and didn't offer any further assistance, something she says she now regrets.

The alleged victim told police he had been chained up as punishment since Wednesday by his father, 40-year-old John Vang, and his stepmother, 34-year-old Thong Vue.

Vang "chained his ankles, secured them with padlocks and then chained him to the kitchen table," according to Sacramento Police spokesman Konrad von Schoech.

The teen boy also said his father had struck him while he was helpless to defend himself.

The teen found a way to escape Friday night when his father and stepmother left him chained to the table to go gambling, police said. The victim used a key he'd hidden to unlock himself and seek help from neighbors.

A bystander called police after spotting the victim hobbling through the neighborhood. The boy was found in good condition and was turned over to the custody of his mother.

Vang and Vue were eventually located and have been charged with false imprisonment and cruelty to a child.

Aug 1, 2010 11:20 pm US/Pacific

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