Ohio kidnap victims break silence in YouTube video

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight thank public for support

Screen grab of Amanda Berry speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications
Screen grab of Amanda Berry speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications

Three women held captive in a US home for a decade are thanking the public for their support in a YouTube video.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight broke their public silence in the video, saying the encouragement of family, friends and the public has enabled them to restart their lives.

Former bus driver Ariel Castro has pleaded not guilty to 329 charges alleging that he kidnapped the women off the streets between 2002 and 2004 and held them captive in his two-storey home in Cleveland, Ohio.

Screen grab of Gina DeJesus speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications
Screen grab of Gina DeJesus speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications
Screen grab of Michelle Knight speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications
Screen grab of Michelle Knight speaking during a YouTube video published by Hennesy Paynter Communications

He fathered a six-year-old daughter with Ms Berry and is accused of starving and punching Ms Knight, causing her to miscarry.

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Castro was arrested on May 6, shortly after Ms Berry broke through a door at the home and yelled to neighbours for help.

AP