The three women from Cleveland, Ohio who escaped from about a decade of captivity on Monday were released from hospital yesterday seemingly in good health following their ordeal.
Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were taken to a hospital in the city, following their discovery in a house in a Cleveland neighbourhood, where they were reunited with family and friends.
Police also discovered a six-year-old girl, believed to be Ms Berry’s daughter, who was born while in captivity.
The three women were released yesterday morning, a spokeswoman for Metro Health emergency department in the city said.
A photograph of a happy but emotional Ms Berry with her older sister Beth Serrano and the six-year-old girl was circulated yesterday.
A doctor at the Metro Health hospital, Dr Gerald Maloney, wouldn’t discuss the condition of the women in any detail but said they had been evaluated by appropriate specialists.
Happy ending
"This is really good because this isn't the ending we usually hear in these stories so we're very happy," he said.
Police believe the women had been held in the house at 2207 Seymour Avenue, close to where they were each last seen before their disappearances.
“The nightmare is over. These three young ladies have provided us with the ultimate definition of survival and perseverance,” said FBI special agent Steve Anthony. “Yes, law enforcement professionals do cry.”
Ms Berry’s shouts from behind a locked door at the house on Monday evening led to a neighbour rescuing her and alerting police.
Cleveland deputy police chief Ed Tomba described her as “the real hero”.
Law enforcement agents were yesterday searching the house, where suspect Ariel Castro has lived since 1992. They were also interested in investigating other properties, police said.
Castro, a former bus driver, was arrested at a nearby McDonald’s and detained for questioning along with his brothers Pedro and Onil.
“We believe we have the people responsible,” said Tomba.
