88-year-old abducted woman survived five days inside trailer

Reinier Ravesteijn, 45, allegedly demanded $3 million from Braun's grandson, who owns a construction business. Investigators refused to say what led them to Ravesteijn, who was arrested Saturday during a traffic stop.

Ravesteijn was charged Tuesday with six counts, including kidnapping. If convicted, he faces more than 100 years in prison and $80,000 in fines.

Braun had frostbite and a blood clot in her leg from the shackles.

Ravesteijn apparently cut Braun's phone lines early Feb. 4, placed a coat over Braun's head, put her in a trunk, drove around for a while, put her in another trunk and drove to his home, according to the complaint.

Braun's 87-year-old blind husband was asleep in another room. East Troy is about 30 miles from Milwaukee.

Robert Mann, 33, said he received a call from his grandmother Tuesday, telling him she was chained to a mattress in a closet and would be killed if she left.

"It sounded like he (the kidnapper) was writing stuff down for her to say while she was talking to me because she suggested to me I had to wait until he had the message for her and he was getting a flashlight," Mann said.

Mann received a letter Thursday demanding the $3 million and instructing him to leave a cell phone number in the window of his construction business. Mann said he left the number, but the kidnapper never called.

The propane-heated trailer behind the suspect's house was only big enough to hold two motorcycles. Braun had been wrapped in blankets and was fed a cheeseburger and orange juice once a day, her grandson said.

Her family attributed her survival to a strong will and her experience working with mental patients many years before she retired.

"She has always been real tough," Mann said. "She's a very strong-minded person."<