President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Oklahoma GovernorMary Fallin in the Oval Office, May 20, 2013. The President spoke with Gov. Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
As the President told Governor Fallin tonight, the administration — through FEMA — is committed to providing all the assistance it can to Oklahoma as the response effort unfolds. Already, FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team, Urban Search & Rescue Teams, and an Medical Emergency Response Support Team to provide resources to hard-hit areas in Oklahoma.
FEMA is urging those in impacted areas to listen carefully to instructions from local officials, and to take the recommended protective measures. Residents should monitor local radio or TV stations, or the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.
As the response effort develops, here is a list of resources for those affected:
Fwd: UPDATE: Nichole Kristine Cable was last know to be with a male using a fictitious name of Bryan Butterfield. He was using a Facebook account with that name and it has now been taken down. The authorities have no leads. Please! I am begging for help to fing my daughter and bring her home safely. Please if you have my CoCo, drop her off at a gas station or a park so she can call for help or for me to come get her. I dont care who you are, I just want her home. She’s just a little girl of 15 with her whole life ahead of her. Please bring her home! Please call Officer Shawn McCue @ 2075700118 or 911 or please call me.I am her mother @ 2079491255.
I’ve never said this to any of you, but PLEASE REBLOG THIS! We need as many people as possible to see it, even if you live overseas – PLEASE REBLOG or REPOST!
This past Sunday night, a local teenage girl went missing and no one has seen or heard from her since.
15-year-old Nichole Kristine Cable of Glenburn, Maine was last heard from Sunday night at around 9:20pm. Her parents have reported that she had received messages on Facebook from an unknown male and had plans to meet up with him. From what I’ve gathered, he posed as one of her Facebook friends to get her to accept a friend request and started messaging her.
There is little to go on as far as the “person of interest” goes – only that he is male, used a fake name and is supposedly driving a small black car. A few other teen girls have come forward to say that the same man had contacted them as well, but he removed them from his friend’s list when they refused to meet him.
Nichole’s last known whereabouts is on Route 221 in Glenburn, Maine.
Fwd: UPDATE: Nichole Kristine Cable was last know to be with a male using a fictitious name of Bryan Butterfield. He was using a Facebook account with that name and it has now been taken down. The authorities have no leads. Please! I am begging for help to fing my daughter and bring her home safely. Please if you have my CoCo, drop her off at a gas station or a park so she can call for help or for me to come get her. I dont care who you are, I just want her home. She’s just a little girl of 15 with her whole life ahead of her. Please bring her home! Please call Officer Shawn McCue @ 2075700118 or 911 or please call me.I am her mother @ 2079491255.
I’ve also sent out some tweets about this, using the hashtag #FindNichole and #FindNicholeCable – please go to my Twitter profile and Retweet them: https://twitter.com/ms_fowle
I don’t care where you live or if you think it might not help – IT WILL! Reblog, Repost, Retweet – whatever you can! Think of all the different people who follow you online – they come from all over. Let’s use our social media outlets to spread the word and bring Nichole home!
I will update you once more information is received. Thank you for whatever help you can offer.
* * *
UPDATE: Authorities are now looking for anyone who may have seen a black Ford Ranger pickup truck (similar to the one pictured below) in the area of Rt. 221 near Rt. 43 and Rogers Market or near West Old Town between 8pm Sunday (May 12th) and 2am Monday (May13th). *Read the full article >> http://bit.ly/15VOBqJ
A new author I follow, who writes about a cause I strongly believe in, pulled my coat to this charity from the UK. She has no idea she did the coat pulling…..
“All royalties received from the sale of “In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” are donated to Beyond the Streets, a charity working to end sexual exploitation. Registered charity number: 1099006. beyondthestreets.org.uk.”
This is taken from the Amazon.com website for the book “In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” written by Ms. Ruth Jacobs.
BBC London Radio interview with Ruth Jacobs about her charity publication for Beyond the Streets
Published on Sep 2, 2012
“In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” is a charity publication. It’s 77p to download from Amazon UK athttp://amzn.to/P992RY & 99c to download from Amazon US at http://amzn.to/Qo3SZD. It’s also available worldwide. All royalties are being donated to Beyond the Streets, a charity helping women exit prostitution.
BBC London Radio 94.9FM – Kath Melandri interviews Ruth Jacobs in the Ladies’ Lounge about In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl – the charity publication for Beyond the Streets.
Beyond the Streets is a UK charity working to end sexual exploitation.
Our vision is to see a world where people are free from exploitation, and where those involved in prostitution have the option to pursue genuine alternatives, free from constraints such as drug use, abusive relationships and poverty.
The sex industry is an ever expanding arena for sexual exploitation. Street prostitution, off-street prostitution, sex tourism, strip clubs, lap dancing, international and domestic trafficking and pornography are some of the venues where sexual exploitation against women, children and men happen every day. We are working towards seeing an end to the sexual exploitation of those in prostitution, many of whom have been trafficked. We believe that sex trafficking and prostitution overlap in fundamental ways and that there is an inequality of social and economic power between those exploited and those who exploit. The sex industry is a theatre for gender power dynamics to take the stage.
It is unknown how many people are working in prostitution in the UK – but what we do know is that it affects people in every town and city in the UK.
Prioritising the involvement of those exploited by the sex industry we seek to move….
We believe in life beyond prostitution and understand that change becomes sustainable when a person is empowered rather than simply treated as a passive victim.
We believe that people exploited by prostitution and sex trafficking deserve access to genuine and attainable alternatives. Campaigning alone is not enough; alternatives have to be provided.
Raising awareness, reducing stigma and advocating on the topic of prostitution.
Prostitute, person or possession?
Prostitution and trafficking have become hot topics over recent years yet all too easily the human connection is lost and stereotypes reverted to.
Branded ‘prostitute’, the person behind the label becomes invisible – their hopes, their dreams, their struggles, their sorrows are overlooked as society pronounces judgement on them, their lives and the decisions they’ve made.
‘Irresponsible’, ‘drug dependent’, ‘liberated’, ‘morally lax’, ‘sex-obsessed’.
It is easy to think we know a person’s story when we’ve never actually taken the time to listen to them.
It’s not surprising then that, having lost sight of our shared humanity, we falter in our efforts to eliminate exploitation, remove stigma and equalise social participation.
At Beyond the Streets…
We’re committed to ensuring that the voices of those affected by prostitution are heard – at the individual level, the societal level and the legislative level.
Working alongside those who have been exploited we seek to connect with key decision makers such as Government Ministers, MPs, and Peers to ensure that the needs of those being exploited are adequately represented and to respond to policy proposals.
You too can make a difference. Donate today to help bring life beyond the streets.
I was shocked to have my experience whilst in prostitution valued, understood and accepted. I was asked to speak at one of their conferences and it was a launch pad for me, it gave me courage to stand up and speak of my experiences. It has opened doors of opportunity I had never dreamed of.’ - (Survivor of prostitution)
Stereotypes
I am afraid to have to admit
that the public have the view
us working girls in Hillfields
do whatever we’re asked to do.
Police and press portray
‘our kind’ as druggies, half dead and diseased
maybe just one or two are that
but that’s all they’ll let you see.
An easy life we choose to live
That is what they say.
If that’s true then you should try,
I bet you couldn’t hack one day.
Don’t pass judgement on the unknown;
desperation drives us to what we do;
we see no choice, no escape from this,
it could so easily be you! - Anna
Get Involved
Knowing how you can get involved is often tricky. But we believe that everyone can make a difference and do something to help make life beyond the streets a reality. Here are some suggestions of how you can get involved.
Make a Donation
Many people want to help by giving their time but what we are increasingly finding that many projects are currently unable to take on new volunteers. What does make a huge impact are people who are prepared to give financial support. Even £5 a month can make a big difference.
Your donations are vital to our efforts of tackling sexual exploitation and providing life beyond the streets. Donate today or sign up to be a regular donor.
We ensure we keep overheads to a minimum to ensure we maximise every contribution.
Attend one of our Awareness Days
We invite you to join us for an interactive day exploring the issues around prostitution and trafficking in the UK. This day is for you if you want to explore the concepts and learn how to engage effectively. This day is hosted by a local project and you will have a chance to hear from a practitioner about working in this area. If you would like some more information about these days and when they are happening please contact us on office@beyondthestreets.org.uk
Volunteer at a local project
Beyond the Streets works in partnership with over 50 local projects across the nation carrying out a wide variety of work, from nightly on-street outreach to drop-in centres to running safe houses. Email us at office@beyondthestreets.org.uk with your name and geographical location and we’ll match you up with projects in your area.
Sign up to our Skills Bank
Not able to volunteer on a regular basis due to other commitments or no local projects in your area? Then sign up to our Skills Bank. Whether it’s administrative support, legal advice, fundraising or sexual health training that you are able to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know your geographical location, the skills you are able to offer, how much time you can commit and any other information you think would be relevant for us to know. We’ll keep a record of your details and then as and when the need for your specific skills arises we’ll get in touch.
Email office@beyondthestreets.org.uk using ‘Skills Bank’ as the subject line.
Host a Global Seesaw Party
Want a fun and interactive way to get involved? Then why not host a Global Seesaw Party? Global Seesaw is a fair trade social enterprise which seeks to bring freedom from exploitation through creating sustainable employment opportunities for women exploited through trafficking and prostitution. Each item produced tells the story of a woman’s journey to freedom. By selling their products you can become part of the story of freedom and also help raise funds for our work here in the UK.
MPs have the power to change the legislative framework within which the UK seeks to tackle sexual exploitation and are always keen to hear from their constituents. Why not attend your local MPs surgery or write them a letter to find out how informed they are on the issues surrounding prostitution and sexual exploitation?
Encourage them to visit local projects and to work towards legislation which effectively protects the vulnerable.
Although Beyond the Streets is a new name, our organisation has been working with people involved in prostitution for 15 years and benefits from the guidance of a management team with over 80 years of combined experience in this work.
Our roots go back to 1995 when a small number of grassroots projects met up to share ideas on how best to enable people to exit prostitution. The lack of services providing holistic, specialist support to those experiencing sexual exploitation was quickly recognised so we decided to work together to address this need.
Since our beginnings the number of projects involved has increased remarkably and we now work in partnership with 50 projects across the UK directly addressing the needs of those in prostitution. As a result, the opportunities for people in the UK to leave prostitution or make significant lifestyle changes have increased considerably.
Over the years we have seen that successful exiting occurs when a person is respected as an individual, invited to participate in identifying their own needs and empowered to devise strategies to address these.
So whilst we continue to support and invest in projects we are increasingly working to develop creative platforms through which those whose lives are affected by prostitution can raise awareness of the real issues they face. We want to ensure that effective exiting strategies are informed by those who have successfully exited.
In 2008 we changed our name from the “National Christian Alliance on Prostitution” or NCAP for short to Beyond the Streets to convey more clearly our belief in the possibility of life beyond prostitution.
Our Values
Our values are central in defining who we are at Beyond the Streets and ensure that all we do remains focused on achieving our vision.
Working Together
We are committed to working together with individuals and other agencies in a spirit of cooperation not competition.
Learning
We are open to growth and change and seek to move beyond models of engagement which perpetuate the dynamic of ‘victim’ and ‘rescuer’.
Empowering
We believe that transformation is possible and so we actively communicate hope. We are holistic and aim to help the whole person – physical, mental, spiritual and social needs are important.
Non-Discriminatory
We actively promote a non-judgmental approach within all of our work, where everyone is treated with respect, value and dignity regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, background, ability, culture or religious beliefs.
Our Network
We work in partnership with 50 local projects across the UK directly addressing the needs of those in prostitution through the provision of drop-ins, street outreach, court diversion schemes, prison visiting, safe houses, home visits and counselling.
Since our beginnings we have been committed to the development of an effective network of supportive relationships between projects across the UK. Our desire is promote shared learning and mutual support amongst those working alongside people involved in prostitution. Here are some of the reasons why we are passionate about our network:
The exchange of information, skills, knowledge and experience helps to improve the overall competence of both individuals and organisations.
Information exchange leads to less duplication and in turn faster progress and greater impact.
Connecting people who may feel separated in this field provides opportunities for peer support and encouragement.
Working together creates the critical mass needed for local, national and international advocacy.
Bringing together individuals with experience in the field provides a necessary perspective in efforts to address complex ethical, developmental and practical issues.
Donate
Make a donation
Beyond the Streets receives a large proportion of its funding from people like you, who believe in the possibility of life beyond prostitution. Without your support our work would not be possible. Please help us by making a donation today.
Ways to donate:
Donate online via PayPal
Make a safe and secure donation using PayPal. Don’t worry if you don’t have a PayPal account, you can use your debit or credit card to make the payment.
A regular donation helps us to plan our services more effectively. You can set up a regular monthly gift by downloading, completing and returning our postal standing order form. If you are unable to download this form then please email us at office@beyondthestreets.org.uk for a paper copy.
All cheques should be made payable to ‘Beyond the Streets’. Please post them to the following address along with your name and address.
Beyond the Streets
PO Box 1676
Southampton
SO15 9DA
Remember us in your will
Very often a legacy is a gift that people could not have afforded to give in their lifetime. But this generous way of giving can change things for the better for many hundreds of people in need; allowing them to see that somebody really does care.
Remembering us in your legacy would enable Beyond the Streets to further their vision of seeing a world where people are free from sexual exploitation. Your gift will help us in training new projects, advocating on behalf of those exploited and directly impacting the lives of those sexually exploited.
If you would like further information about leaving a gift in your will then please download the form below. Making a Legacy
Gift Aid
Increase your donation at no extra cost to yourself.
Thanks to the government’s gift aid scheme we are able to reclaim tax on all donations made since April 2000. That means for every £1 you donate we are able to claim back an extra 25p from the government. All donations qualify whatever the method of donation.
More details emerge from their captivity and escape.
Michelle Knight was forced to deliver Amanda Berry’s baby as their alleged captor Ariel Castro stood nearby threatening to kill her if the baby died, according to a police report obtained by reporters. When the baby stopped breathing during birth, Knight put her mouth to the child’s and “breathed for her.” The report also details the moment of escape, when Castro forgot to lock the “big inside door” and Berry got the attention of neighbors. When the officers entered, Knight and Gina DeJesus threw themselves into police arms. Knight told police she was forced to abort five pregnancies.
In a suicide note allegedly written several years ago by Ariel Castro, the suspected kidnapper of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight reveals who he thinks is responsible for their abduction: them. The 52-year-old, who is currently being held with his two brothers—Onil, 50, and Pedro, 54—says the teens are to blame for getting in his car. In the letter, first discovered by WOIO, the self-declared sex addict fails to acknowledge his own role in the crime, or even so much as mention the repeated sexual and physical abuse he had inflicted on the women.
about 8 hours ago by Brian Ries May 8, 2013 1:57 PM EDT
A Facebook page allegedly belonging to Cleveland kidnapping suspect Ariel Castro surfaced Wednesday morning. A look inside the page reveals a musician and loving grandfather—no sign of a monster who kept three women locked in his house as sex slaves.
Amanda Berry, the 27-year-old woman who first broke free from Ariel Castro’s house and revealed that she and two other women had been held for more than a decade, returned home Wednesday. Meanwhile, new evidence indicated all three Cleveland women held in captivity for a decade were not only sexually and physically abused—they were also tied up, police announced Wednesday. “We have confirmation that they were bound, and there was chains and ropes in the home,” Chief Michael McGrath told NBC. Although their physical states were “very good,” McGrath says they were likely allowed outdoors only “once in a while.” The grisly details, initially discovered through interviews with the women, have been corroborated by evidence in the house. Ariel, Pedro, and Onil Castro—the three brothers accused of the crimes—are likely to be charged Wednesday.
about 12 hours ago by Steve Miller May 8, 2013 10:52 AM EDT
Ariel Castro, accused of kidnapping three Cleveland women, was a school bus driver with a long, long list of traffic infractions. Steve Miller digs up the suspect’s rap sheet.
Despite a driving record that included numerous points for moving violations and a move by the state to suspend his license, Ariel Castro drove a school bus for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for over 20 years, before being fired in November 2012.
Records show Castro had numerous encounters with local police while driving, from illegal parking in July 1995 to failing to obey a traffic device in January 2001.
The infractions pose yet another question as to how Castro was able to carry on his life in a most average fashion, even as he allegedly held three women against their will in his modest four-bedroom, one-bath home on Cleveland’s west side.
about 13 hours ago by Jake Heller May 8, 2013 9:47 AM EDT
See the best TV moments of Charles Ramsey.
We first met Charles Ramsey, the hero who rescued three Cleveland women from close to a decade of captivity, in this amazing interview. His plain white T-shirt counterbalanced his colorful personality, and Ramsey’s intensity and wit shone through as he described his decisive actions. But first, he mentioned his meal at McDonald’s. Delicious.
The interview made him an Internet celebrity. Before long, “Charles Ramsey” was trending on Twitter, YouTubers were paying him Auto-Tuned homage, and Antoine Dodson was welcoming him into the pantheon of hilariously expressive local TV interview subjects.
(Here’s the requisite Gregory Brothers auto-tune:)
Then, breaking news! In an interview with Cleveland’s Plain Dealer, Ramsey revealed that he had been eating a Big Mac when he heard Amanda Berry’s screams—and that he brought the Big Mac with him as he went to rescue her.
If three women were held hostage for 10 years on your block, would you notice? Christine Pelisek talks to shocked residents of Cleveland’s west side about the red flags they missed.
For many years, 52-year-old Ariel Castro was a neighborhood fixture on Seymour Avenue on Cleveland’s west side, greeting neighbors with a friendly, “Hello, God bless.”
“He would come home with these big ass bags of McDonald’s in his hands,” says Edwin Garcia, 19, who lives just down the street, of the former school bus driver. “We always just thought he was getting himself a big breakfast and lunch.”
What’s obvious now is that something much more sinister was going on inside the Castro home, where police say Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were held as hostages ever since they vanished without a trace over a decade ago in their teens or early 20s.
When Amanda Berry called 911 after being held captive for 10 years, the Cleveland dispatcher didn’t keep her on the line until police came—but quibbled over her address and rushed to get off the phone. David Freedlander on the blowback.
The voice was frantic, pleading, sounding even more frightened than the usual call to 911.
“Hello, police. Help me, I’m Amanda Berry. I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years, and I’m, I’m here, I’m free now.”
But one of the first people Berry reached out to after a decade in captivity didn’t comfort her, didn’t assure her that help was soon on the way, didn’t even keep her on the phone until police arrived.
(Reuters) – Cleveland resident Ariel Castro was charged on Wednesday with kidnapping and raping three women who were rescued from his house on Monday after nearly a decade in captivity.
Castro’s two brothers Pedro and Onil, originally arrested in the case, were not charged, said Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez at a news conference.
The charges came as police revealed that the women, who were rescued on Monday after one of them, Amanda Berry, fled with the help of a neighbor, had not seen any previous chances to escape in nearly ten years of captivity.
“The only opportunity, after interviewing the young ladies, to escape was the other day when Amanda escaped,” Cleveland Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba said at the same news conference.
“They don’t believe that they’ve been outside that home for the last 10 years respectively,” he said.
“They were not in one room, but they did know each other and they did know each other was there,” he added.
Police said earlier that they found ropes and chains in the house that had been used to hold them prisoner. No human remains were found, they said.
Castro, 52, faces four counts of kidnapping relating to Berry, now 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, Michelle Knight, 32, and Berry’s 6-year-old daughter who was conceived and born during her mother’s captivity, authorities said.
A paternity test will be conducted to determine the girl’s father, Tomba said.
Castro is not a suspect in any other cases, he said.
Authorities were searching a second house in relation to the case, Tomba said.
Berry and DeJesus went to their families’ homes on Wednesday, while Knight was in a Cleveland hospital where a spokeswoman said she was in good condition.
The rape charges against Castro relate to Berry, DeJesus and Knight, the prosecutor said. He would be arraigned on Thursday morning, the prosecutor said.
Castro and his two brothers were arrested on Monday evening within hours of the women’s escape from his house.
However, there was no evidence Pedro Castro, 54, and Onil Castro, 50, were involved, the prosecutor said.
Investigators took some 200 pieces of evidence from the Castro house, which Tomba said was “in quite a bit of disarray.”
Neither Berry nor DeJesus spoke publicly as they were hustled inside their family’s homes, and relatives emerged instead to speak to the waiting crowds of spectators and media.
Berry and her daughter could be seen from an aerial television camera arriving in a convoy of vehicles at her sister’s house and going in the back door.
DeJesus was rushed into the home she had not seen in nine years, clenched in a tight embrace by her sister Mayra. DeJesus hid her face in a yellow hooded sweat-shirt but raised her hand in a thumbs-up sign to the crowd that was chanting “Gina. Gina.”
Her mother Nancy DeJesus came outside after a little while.
“I want to thank everybody that believed,” she said. “Even the ones that doubted, I still want to thank them the most because they’re the ones that made me stronger, the ones that made me feel the most that my daughter was out there.”
Before Monday evening, Berry had last been seen leaving her job at a fast-food restaurant the day before her 17th birthday in April 2003. Her disappearance as a teenager was widely publicized in the local media.
DeJesus vanished while walking home from school at age 14 in 2004, and Knight, 32, was 20 when she disappeared in 2002.
Born in Puerto Rico, Ariel Castro played bass in Latin music bands in the area. Records show he was divorced more than a decade ago and his ex-wife had since died. He is known to have at least one adult daughter and son.
(Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta, Barbara Goldberg; Writing by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by Grant McCool, Toni Reinhold and Bernard Orr)
Beth Berry Serrano, the sister of kidnap victim Amanda Berry, speaks to the press after the arrival of Berry at her home May 8 in Cleveland. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images
Neighbors and friends celebrate as Amanda Berry arrives at her sister’s home. Tony Dejak, AP
A police officer delivers balloons and flowers. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.
A poster of Amanda Berry is pinned on a tree outside the home of her sister, Beth Serrano, in Cleveland. Tony Dejak, AP.
Balloons hang on a street pole near the Burger King restaurant where Amanda Berry worked and was last seen a decade ago. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.
People decorate the family home of Gina DeJesus on May 7 in Cleveland. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.
An FBI forensic investigator removes evidence from a home owned by Ariel Castro. He and his two brothers are accused of kidnappings the three women. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Image.
The family home of Gina DeJesus was decorated by well wishers. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.
People decorate the home belonging to Amanda Berry’s sister. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.
The front door is broken open at a home where three women who disappeared years ago were discovered alive. Bill Pugliano, Getty Image.
Sheriff’s deputies guard a house in Cleveland. Tony Dejak, AP.
Charles Ramsey, a neighbor, speaks to the media near the home on Seymour Avenue where three missing women were rescued. Ramsey helped Berry escape. Scott Shaw, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, via AP.
Cleveland homeowner Ariel Castro charged with kidnapping and rape, but two brothers not charged.
Ariel Castro, the man who owned the Cleveland home where three women escaped this week after nearly a decade of captivity, was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape.
The kidnapping charges include the 6-year-old daughter of Amanda Berry, who was conceived and born in the house on the city’s west side. DNA tests are being conducted to determine the child’s father.
Castro will be arraigned Thursday morning.
His two brothers, Pedro and Onil, will not be charged. Cleveland prosecutor Victor Perez said there was no evidence they were involved in the crime or had any knowledge of it.
No other victims are expected from the case.
Other revelations:
• Berry and Gina DeJesus were welcomed back to their family homes. The third victim, Michelle Knight, remained hospitalized Wednesday.
• Berry was reunited with relatives at her sister’s home in Cleveland. Her sister, Beth Serrano, made a brief statement thanking the public for their support and requesting privacy so that Berry can “heal” and “recover.”
• DeJesus hid her face with a hoodie and gave a thumbs-up sign as she arrived home.
• DeJesus reportedly told investigators she was abducted when she accepted a ride home from school, according to NBC News.
• DeJesus is in “good sprits,” according to a CNN interview with a family member.
• DeJesus was a friend of Ariel Castro’s daughter as a young teen, WKYC-TV reports.
• Ariel Castro helped search for DeJesus when she went missing, and Castro was friends with the girl’s father, Khalid Samad, a friend of the DeJesus family, told the Associated Press. Samad also said Castro helped pass out missing-persons fliers.
• AP reported that Castro also comforted DeJesus’ mother at a candlelight vigil for her missing daughter.
• Victims’ family members told CNN that survivor Michelle Knight, the longest held captive, was “malnourished and weak.”
• Metro Health Hospital spokeswoman Tina Shaerban-Arundel confirmed Knight was still hospitalized Wedneday, in good condition.
• Cleveland Safety Director Martin Flask said no human remains had been found at the site where Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight escaped. Authorities had been drawn to disturbed soil in the yard — and previously told WKYC-TV that the three women were forced to have sex with their captors, that the pregnant women were beaten and that the babies didn’t survive.
• One victim reportedly suffered up to three miscarriages because she was so malnourished, according to Cleveland’s WEWS-TV.
• One of the brothers is believed to have fathered the 6-year-old girl found at the home with Berry, now 27, according to Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba. DNA tests are being conducted to verify paternity.
• Berry give birth in an inflatable swimming pool inside the house, police told The Plain Dealer. The girl’s name is Jocelyn.
• WKYC-TV reports Berry’s family is “excited” to meet their grandchild and is eager to “embrace Berry’s daughter as their own.”
• Police sources said the 6-year-old-girl was occasionally taken out of the house and would visit suspect Ariel Castro’s mother, Lillian Rodriguez, whom she called “grandmother.”
• The women were restrained by ropes and chains and occasionally had been allowed into the backyard, Police Chief Michael McGrath said.
• WKYC-TV spoke with Ariel Castro’s son, who said his father was “secretive” and that there were padlocks on doors to the attic, basement and garage in his father’s home. Castro’s son said he was not close to his father.
• Investigators are talking with relatives of at least one other missing woman from the neighborhood, AP reported. Ashley Summers, a 14-year-old girl, disappeared in 2007 near the house where Castro lives.
• McGrath told NBC’s Today show that the physical condition of the three women was “very good considering the circumstances” and the women were allowed in the backyard of the suspect’s home “once in a while.”
• McGrath said police did everything they could to find the women since they went missing, denying claims by neighbors that officers had been called to the house for suspicious circumstances from time to time in the past 10 years.
• Cleveland neighbor Israel Lugo said that other neighbors had seen women crawling on all fours behind Castro’s house, and that the men were controlling the women, according to the U.K.’s Daily Mail Online.
• Suspect Ariel Castro speaks both English and Spanish. Brothers Pedro and Onil Castro speak only Spanish, according to WKYC-TV.
• FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson told ABC-TV that the three woman “had a bond, that they had been through this together.”
Congrats to my Rosie Arlene. Wishing you a fast recovery.
She gave birth to a wonderful baby boy. That makes me Gramps for the fifth time, (2boys 1girl 2boys. Luv you guys!
I started following Dear Kitty about a year ago, and find her blog a much needed escape from my world of politics.
Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart Dear Kitty, for passing The Sunshine Award forward to TheObamaCrat™.
Here are the rules:
Include the award’s logo in a post or on your blog.
Link to the person who nominated you.
Answer 10 questions about yourself.
Nominate 10 bloggers.
Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.
As always, I am going to break the rules.
I’m nominating many more than 10.
I don’t have 10 questions to answer about myself….keeps me mysterious!
I find when I comment on fellow bloggers blogs, my comments go straight to spam, so notifying them via their blogs won’t work.
President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin in the Oval Office, May 20, 2013. The President spoke with Gov. Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Jueseppi B.
