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A man has been accused of holding a woman and her two children captive for at least two years in their Spotsylvania County home, authorities said.

Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Lt. C.A. Carey said deputies went to a home in the 3600 block of Mine Road Saturday to check the welfare of a family. A caller had expressed concern that no one had seen or heard from any of the family members in quite some time, he said.

Deputies arrived at the home about 5 p.m. and were greeted by a man who authorities said appeared reluctant to let them into the house. While deputies were talking to the man, Carey said, a woman and two children ran out of a side door and were taken to safety by the deputies.

When they got away from the man, they told deputies that it had been at least two years since they had been allowed out of the house.

Carey said the children, ages 11 and 8, had never been to school as far as investigators know. A Sheriff's Office release said the suspect is the father of the children. The man and woman are not married, Carey said.

Kariem Ali Muhammad Moore, 43, was charged with three felony counts of abduction and felony assault and battery. Carey said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.