Amanda Berry was kidnapped in 2003, just before her 17th birthday. The following conversation with a 911 emergency services telephone operator on Monday night was the first anyone had heard from her since.
Caller:
Help me. I'm Amanda Berry.
Dispatcher:
You need police, fire, ambulance?
AB:
I need police.
911:
OK, and what's going on there?
AB:
I've been kidnapped and I've been missing for 10 years, and I'm, I'm here, I'm free now.
911:
OK, and what's your address?
AB:
2207 Seymour Avenue
911:
2207 Seymour. Looks like you're calling me from 2210.
AB:
Huh?
911:
Looks like you're calling me from 2210.
AB:
I can't hear you.
911:
Looks like you're calling me from 2210 Seymour.
AB:
I'm across the street; I'm using the phone.
911:
OK, stay there with those neighbours. Talk to police when they get there.
AB:
(Crying)
911:
OK, talk to police when they get there.
AB:
OK. Hello?
911:
OK, talk to the police when they get there.
AB:
OK (unintelligible).
911:
We're going to send them as soon as we get a car open.
AB:
No, I need them now before he gets back.
911:
All right; we're sending them, OK?
AB:
OK, I mean, like . . .
911:
Who's the guy you're trying – who's the guy who went out?
AB:
Um, his name is Ariel Castro.
911:
OK. How old is he?
AB:
He's, like, 52.
911: And, uh . . .
AB:
I'm Amanda Berry. I've been on the news for the last 10 years.
911:
I got, I got that, dear. (Unintelligible) And, you say, what was his name again?
AB:
Uh, Ariel Castro.
911:
And is he white, black or Hispanic?
AB:
Uh, Hispanic.
911:
What's he wearing?
AB:
(agitated): I don't know, 'cause he's not here right now. That's why I ran away.
911:
When he left, what was he wearing?
AB:
Who knows (unintelligible).
911:
The police are on their way; talk to them when they get there.
AB:
Huh? I . . . OK.
911:
I told you they're on their way; talk to them when they get there, OK.
AB:
All right, OK. Bye.