Texas woman used in 'blood ritual' while being held captive

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Authorities say four people kidnapped a woman and held her captive for three days in a San Antonio-area home while forcing her to ingest drugs and at one point conducting a "blood ritual."

James Keith with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that 32-year-old Mercedes Salazar was the ringleader who orchestrated the woman's captivity. Salazar is being held on charges that include aggravated kidnapping.

Keith says Salazar believed the woman played a role in the August killing of her brother.

The woman was abducted last month and tied to a chair. She called for help when one of her captors freed her so that she could use the bathroom. The woman's name hasn't been released.

Three suspects were arrested within days, but authorities didn't find Salazar until last weekend.