Three Cleveland women who were reported missing more than ten years ago were discovered last night at the suburban home where they were held captive by three brothers. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were reported missing in the Cleveland area when they were 16, 14, and 21 respectively.
The three kidnapped women, along with a six year-old girl, were removed from the home by Cleveland police this morning. They are reported to be in good health, according to the police. It is believed that the six-year old girl is Berry’s daughter, whom she gave birth to while in captivity. The girls were reunited with family members while in the hospital.
Gawker reports that police have arrested three suspects, including Ariel Castro, 52, who is the owner of the house where the women were believed to have been imprisoned. The other two suspects are Castro’s brothers, who are believed to have been involved with the imprisonment. Castro is known in the area as a musician that plays with several bands, and worked as a bus driver.
Police say that chains were found hanging from the ceiling of Castro’s house, and that the dirt in his backyard shows signs of excavation.
Though details are scant about the actual kidnapping, imprisonment, and suspects at the moment, it is known that the three girls were rescued by a neighbor, Charles Ramsey, who lived at a home next door to Castro. Ramsey told reporters that he was friendly with Castro, and that the two had socialized together several times at events held at Castro’s home.
Ramsey, who has been speaking to the press, says that he heard screaming from Castro’s home, and assuming that it was a couple fighting, went over to investigate. He saw Berry with her daughter attempting to escape from the house, and she told Ramsey that she had been held in the house for a long time, and urged him to call 911. Watch an interview with Ramsey below:
Once Ramsey spotted Berry, it is reported that Castro tried to escape. He was later arrested at a nearby fast food restaurant.
Image Credit: AP / WOIO-TV