Girlfriend Says Accusations About Being Held Captive A Lie

A Paterson woman who police say was held captive for years says it's all a lie.

Nancy Rodriguez Duran says her boyfriend is "a good man" who has never abused her. “Michael was a loving, good man,” Nancy Rodriguez said after her boyfriend’s arraignment. “Michael is a good man. He treats me well. He would never hit me. We would argue, yes but he would never hit me. I want all this to stop," she told The Record.

FULL COVERAGE: Paterson Man Accused Of Holding Girlfriend Captive

Speaking to reporters before 42-year-old Michael Mendez appeared in court Tuesday, Duran says she asked him to padlock the bedroom door with her inside.

Duran says her boyfriend was going out and she was worried about maintenance workers coming into their Paterson apartment and seeing her in a nightgown. She said Duran worked as a roofer and kept his cash in the apartment.

Mendez is charged with kidnapping and other counts after police discovered the locked bedroom while searching for drugs. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday and remains held on $1 million bail.

While in court Rodriquez cried as the charges were read, shaking her head "no."

Investigators believe Duran was kept in the bedroom for extended periods of time for possibly up to 10 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report