Three missing women were found alive in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Three men have been arrested in their abduction. Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry, and Michelle Knight have all been missing for nearly a decade. Three men, identified as Hispanic brothers, were arrested as suspects.
The three women were abducted in separate incidents between 2000 and 2004. At the time the girls were kidnapped, Gina was 14, Amanda was 16, and Michelle was 21. Their families insist that they never gave up hope finding the girls alive.
As reported by Fox News , authorities in Cleveland received a 911 call on Monday . The women on the phone identified herself as Amanda Berry and stated that she had been kidnapped, but was free, and needed help.
When police arrived at the home, they found Amanda, Gina, and Michelle, who had all been reported as abducted or kidnapped. Authorities were stunned that the three missing women were found alive after nearly ten years.
Authorities report that the three women were left alone and tied up inside the home. As reported by NBC News , Charles Ramsey, a neighbor, heard screaming from inside the home. As he approached the home, he realized someone was inside kicking and screaming, “I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been in this house a long time and I want to leave right now.”
Ramsey and the girl both kicked the door until it opened. The woman, later identified as Amanda Berry, came out of the house carrying a 6-year-old child. She stated that the child belonged to the man who abducted her.
Police responded to the home and found the two other women inside. The three women were taken to Metro Health Medical Treatment Center for assessment and treatment.
Although police have not formerly identified the suspects, Fox News reports that neighbors identified the homeowner as Ariel Castro, age 52. Officials with the Cleveland City school district confirmed that Castro was formerly employed as a school bus driver.
Neighbors describe Castro as quiet and withdrawn. Castro has only one criminal conviction, for disorderly conduct in 1993.
The other two men arrested have been identified as brothers of the homeowner.
Friends and family were shocked, but thrilled, that the missing women were found alive after nearly a decade. They have spent the last 10 years worrying, praying, and simply not knowing what happened to the young girls.