International Media Arrive to Westside Cleveland to Report on Miracle Story

By Bronson Peshlakai

CLEVELAND — One day after three missing women were rescued from 10 years of captivity, Clevelanders drove by the Seymour Avenue area in droves honking their horns and yelling such things like “God is Good” out car windows Tuesday evening. The crowd got to be congestive to West 25th Street that police cordoned off the busy thoroughfare at I-90, one block north, later in the evening.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and a child believed to be Berry’s daughter, were reported to be in fair condition after being taken out of the house and to the hospital Monday evening. The women rescued by passer-by Charles Ramsey, dubbed today as Cleveland’s hero.

“It’s crazy that you look at this guy as a regular Joe, a hard working guy who drives a school bus . . . it’s mind boggling,” said a man to a Fox News reporter three doors down from Ariel Castro, the man under arrest for allegedly kidnapping and holding the three women prisoners.

Three Castro brothers are in custody, including Onil and Pedro, and are expected to be officially charged with crimes Wednesday.

With dozens of satellite trucks parked in an empty lot around the corner from the crime scene, media from Russia, Finland, and prime time reporters such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper converged across the Seymour Street, all cameras focused on the house of horrors where these women spent nearly 10 years secluded in a nightmare.

“We’re here taking in the enormity of it, we’re very happy that their out and we know that there is a lot to be done now, and the healing process, just let it begin,” said Victoria Policard, a Lakewood resident who stopped by with her husband and daughter to witness the celebration.

Former Tri-C student Ross Waldron works down the street from Seymour Avenue and stopped several times Tuesday to watch the festive atmosphere fluctuate throughout the day.

“I experienced the mood to have mixed emotions (throughout the day),” Waldron said.

Cleveland Police and the FBI are still looking at evidence in the house as the world waits to see the first images and hear first hand from the three women. Metrohealth officials have reportedly released the women from hospital care and into the arms of their families Tuesday.

Bronson Peshlakai can be reached at bpeshlakai@gmail.com

• Tags: 10 years, amanda berry, ariel castro, bronson peshlakai, Cleveland Missing Women, gina dejesus, kidnapping, media circus, michelle knight, missing women, network coverage, ohio, ross waldron, Tri-C, victoria policard, voice news