A man rescued by police in Brazil could have been held captive by his family for up to 20 years, reports suggest.
Armando Bezerra de Andrade (36) was discovered by authorities in Guarulhos, greater Sao Paulo by chance when they entered the wrong house during an unrelated raid.
He was found in a basement, and BBC reports that he was malnourished and 'had signs of mental health problems'.
Photos of the scene shared by Estadao showed a dirty mattress and toilet in the basement.
Police have not been attempting to establish how long he was being held, although neighbours suggested he was last seen almost two decades ago.
Mr Andrade's father, who was not in the house at the time, later voluntarily approached police.
He claims his son had only returned home last week, and had asked to be locked up so he would not buy drugs.
Brazilian media reports that the father has been charged with false imprisonment but has not been arrested.
Investigations into the discovery are continuing.
