Three women who were confined in a Cleveland home for 10 years were freed after a daring escape attempt. During the whole period of their captivity they went out to the garage twice and only when dressed up in disguise. The women knew each other and were aware that the others were also there in the house where they were held. Charges have been filed against the house owner.
In good condition
Amanda Berry, Georgina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight along with the daughter that Berry gave birth to in captivity were held in a private home. Berry had been missing since 2003. DeJesus was kidnapped in 2004 while Knight was reported missing in 2002. All three were abducted from Lorain Avenue and were found at a location within a three-mile radius. The police found the three women and the child in the house after responding to the 911 call made by Berry and her rescuer, Charles Ramsey.
Berry (27 years old) and De Jesus (23 years old) have returned to their respective homes on Wednesday. Knight (32 years old) is still in a Cleveland hospital but reportedly in good condition.
Charges filed
On Monday, 52-year old Ariel Castro, the owner of the house, was arrested along with Pedro (54 years old) and Onil (50 years old). Victor Perez, the prosecutor said that former school bus driver Ariel Castro will be charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape. His two brothers will not be charged. According to Deputy Chief Ed Tomba, the initial investigations revealed that the other two did not know of the occurrences.
Castro is cooperating fully with the investigation and has willingly provided a DNA sample as part of the investigation to determine the paternity of Berry’s daughter. Castro’s arraignment is scheduled on Thursday.
Berry’s daring escape
On Monday night, Berry tried to escape, aided by two neighbors – Angel Cordero and Charles Ramsey who are now Internet heroes. Neighbors heard screaming coming from the house and the two responded by kicking at the door. Amanda Berry and her daughter managed to go out of the house with their help. According to Cordero, Berry’s daughter was only in diapers and a dirty shirt and appeared to not be accustomed to being in the company of many people.
Charles Ramsey and Berry then called 911 where Amanda declared who she was and her predicament. “I’m free now,” she said. The Deputy Chief of Cleveland Police Ed Tomba said that if anyone deserves a reward it is Ramsey for being the “true key to the case.”
In captivity
Investigators are mum about the details of the captivity, but sources close to the investigation have reported that chains and ropes were found inside the home of the abductor. At a recent news conference the Chief of Police Michael McGrath confirmed that the women were bound.
The charge against Ariel Castro prepared by the Cleveland police contained details of the abduction of the three women. On August 22, 2002, 21 year-old Knight was lured by Castro into his vehicle and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. De Jesus, then 14 years old was taken on the same street on April 2, 2004 and Berry on April 21, 2003 who was then 17 years old. The three women suffered the same plight as Knight.
Photo Credit: Cleveland Police
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+
LinkedIn
Email