American Woman Found Chained to a Tree in India Went Without Food for 40 Days, Was Allegedly Left to Die

Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, alleges her ex-husband left her in a jungle to die

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Authorities in India say they have rescued a woman who was found emaciated and tied to a tree in a jungle after allegedly being left there to die.

Police in a district near Mumbai, India, say they rescued Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, after a shepherd heard her cries in a jungle over the weekend, according to the Deccan Chronicle, the Indian Express and British newspaper The Times. 

She was found bound to a tree with an iron chain, The Hindustan Times reported, citing local police.

In photos shared by the outlets, Kumar appeared heavily emaciated and covered in dirt at the time of her rescue.

Authorities reportedly found copies of her U.S. passport next to her, as well as Indian documentation showing she had overstayed her visa, per the Indian Express. She was rushed to the hospital.

“She is not in a position to give her statement. She is weak as she has not eaten anything for a couple of days,” a police official said, per the Deccan Chronicle.

Authorities named her ex-husband — who has not been publicly identified — as a suspect after Kumar alleged that he tied her to the tree and left her to die, The Times and the Indian Express reported.

He allegedly left her there following a domestic dispute, police said, per The Times. Kumar told police she had not eaten for 40 days, per the outlet.

Kumar’s ex-husband is facing charges of attempted murder, act endangering life or personal safety of others and wrongful confinement, police said, per The Times.

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It’s not clear if the U.S. is looking into the matter. PEOPLE has reached out to State Department officials for comment.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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