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Emotional Video Released by Cleveland Kidnap Victims

by Nuzha Nuseibeh

The three women who were held hostage in a house in Cleveland for over ten years issued an emotional YouTube video Monday night, thanking the public for the support (both financial and emotional) that has helped them rebuild their lives. Grab a box of kleenex.

In the video, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight and Amanda Berry each read out from prepared statements, breaking their public silence in order to thank the public and speak about how they've coped since being freed from their kidnapper, Ariel Castro.

Kathy Joseph, Knight's lawyer, said the women wanted to "say thank you to people from Cleveland and across the world, now that two months have passed."

The women went missing individually when they were between 14 and 20 years old, and were held captive in Castro's two-story home for over a decade. Berry, who is now 27, had been held since 2003. DeJesus, now 23, went missing in 2004. And Knight, who was held hostage from 2002, is now 32.

Castro, 52, fathered a daughter with Berry six years ago, and is accused of causing Knight to miscarry by starving and physically abusing her.

Castro has pleaded not guilty to the 329 charges, including kidnapping and rape. His trial is scheduled for August 5, with a hearing on July 24.