Kidnapping victims
Amanda Berry, 27
Michelle Knight, 32
Gina DeJesus, 23
Suspect
Ariel Castro, 52
The man police said held three women in captivity for nearly a decade penned a suicide note.
According to reports, Ariel Castro, 52, allegedly confessed to the kidnappings and said he was raped by his uncle.
The letter has not been made public.
A police report detailing the captivity of the women states that one of the victims was pregnant at least five times, but was starved and punched until she miscarried.
The report obtained by CNN details Michelle Knight’s ordeal in which she said Castro “would make her abort the baby” each time she was pregnant.
Castro, 52, is in jail, being held on charges of kidnapping and rape. He was arraigned in court this morning and his bond was set at $8 million.
Knight told police at one point she was starved for as many as two weeks. When a second kidnapped woman, Amanda Berry, was pregnant, Castro forced Knight to aid in the child’s labor.
CNN’s details of the police report reveal Berry’s child was delivered in a plastic tub or pool. The baby was not breathing immediately following the birth, causing panic and screaming among the women held captive in Castro’s home.
Knight reported that Castro threatened to kill her if the baby didn’t live.
That child today is 6-years old, according to officials.
Knight and Berry were held in captivity with another woman, Gina DeJesus. They were only outside twice in the decade they were there, according to reports.
The women told police Castro would test them to see if they would attempt to escape. Castro would pretend to leave and then suddenly return. If any women had appeared to attempt to escape, they would be disciplined.
About the Author