Paterson Man Accused of Locking Girlfriend in Bedroom for 10 Years

State troopers say a woman may have been padlocked in the bedroom of her boyfriend's northern New Jersey home for as long as ten years.

Members of the State Police Street Gang unit were searching the home in Paterson for drugs on Thursday.

State police say detectives entered the locked bedroom and found Michael Mendez's 44-year-old girlfriend. Based on interviews and evidence, State Police spokesman acting Sgt. 1st Class Brian Polite says investigators believe the woman was kept in the bedroom for extended periods of time for the last two years and up to possibly ten years.

Investigators say the woman was let out of the room when her boyfriend was home.

Mendez is charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and other charges.

The woman is receiving a medical evaluation.