Marcus Atkinson
HispanicOhio.com editor
Ariel Castro, the man accused of kidnapping Berry, DeJesus, and Knight went in front of a judge for arraignment; bond was set at $8 million, $2 million for each case against him.
Castro is charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape
Castro’s brothers who were arrested along with him are not charged in the disappearances. Both were in court on outstanding misdemeanor and were released from custody earlier today.
From Court Records
A note reportedly found inside Ariel Castro’s home an admission which said.
“I am a sexual predator. I need help.”
Court records say Knight had five miscarriages; Castro beat her and starved her to avoid a child.
Berry did give birth to one child in a small inflatable pool inside the house. Castro told Knight to assist in the delivery of baby and if the child died, he would kill her.
Records also say when Castro had people over the house, he would take the victims to an attic and tie them up as well as tape their mouths shut. In other occasions, Castro would pretend to leave to see if the victims would act out or try to escape, and if they did he would reappear and beat them.
On their anniversaries of their disappearance Castro would give them a special dinner and cake.
Over the ten years, the women were taken outside on two occasions, both times in disguise and they were taken to the garage.
Michelle Knight
Michelle Knight is still in the hospital, she is reportedly having difficulty adjusting.
“Mentally she’s not taking things very well,” said one family member. Currently, no person is allowed to see her.
Angel Cordero
“I helped her and I was first.”
Those are the words of Angel Cordero, he said Ramsey was not the first one to help Berry escape from the home, he said it was him.
“Ramsey arrived after she was outside with the girl,” Cordero said. “But the truth who arrived there, who crossed the street, which came and broke the door, it was me.”
Prosecution
Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said he is looking into aggravated murder charges related to the five miscarriages (which could result in the death penalty if convicted) and will be charged for each count of rape or sexual assault, which could number in the thousands.
Castro is reportedly alone in a cell and on suicide watch.