Elk City, OK – A man was arrested in Elk City on Saturday, February 22, 2025, after police responded to a distress call at an Elk Creek RV park, where a woman was reportedly locked inside a camper, crying for help.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers arrived at the scene and found the victim trapped inside a locked camper trailer. Due to the locked metal latch, authorities were unable to enter. The Elk City Fire Department was called in and had to use an axe and pry bar to force entry into the camper.
Upon gaining access, officers found the woman in a disheveled and distressed state, wearing only a dirty T-shirt, a baseball cap, and no shoes. She appeared weak, confused, and malnourished. Authorities also noted the camper was in deplorable condition, with a strong odor of human and animal waste. Two malnourished animals were removed by Elk City Animal Control Officers.
Emergency responders from Elk City EMS assessed the victim, who informed them that she is diabetic. She was transported to the Great Plains Medical Center Emergency Department for further evaluation.
The camper’s occupant, identified as 53-year-old Edward James Garrett, admitted to police that he regularly locked the woman inside the camper while he was away at work, claiming it was for her "own safety" and "her own good." He acknowledged that there were multiple exits but admitted she would not have been able to escape in her condition if an emergency, such as a fire, occurred.
During the arrest, officers discovered five small clear plastic bags containing a white residue on Garrett’s person, suspected to be a controlled dangerous substance. He was taken into custody and booked into the Beckham County Detention Center.
Garrett now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, abuse/exploitation/neglect of a vulnerable adult, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. His bond has been set at $50,000.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 31, 2025.
