Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings

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Knight has not seen Berry and DeJesus, either, but she is convinced that will happen in time. (The three girls were originally asked to write a book together, but Knight felt she had a different story to tell and chose to write her own; DeJesus and Berry's account will be published next year.) "Right now we're all going through our own separate problems. We need to take time for ourselves." As for Joey, he is now 14, and she has seen pictures of him and written letters. But she knows she can't rush anything, and that he will probably regard his adoptive parents as his true parents. "He is a beautiful, handsome man, and I love him to death. I'm glad he has all that he has got now; I'm sad I'm not there. I hope one day we'll get together, have a cup of coffee, whatever." She says that even more than DeJesus, it was the thought of Joey that kept her going. Ramsey, Charles (2014). Dead Giveaway: The Rescue, Hamburgers, White Folks, and Instant Celebrity...What You Saw on TV Doesn't Begin to Tell the Story... Cleveland: Gray & Company. ISBN 978-1938441516. Steer, Jen (July 9, 2013). "TRANSCRIPT: Cleveland kidnapping victims say thank you for support". newsnet5.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2013 . Retrieved July 9, 2013. Castro was arrested in a McDonald’s parking lot shortly after the victims were rescued. [1] He was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape on May 8, which carry prison sentences of ten years to life in Ohio. [1] [101] Two of Castro's brothers, Pedro and Onil, were also initially taken into custody, but were released on May 9 after police announced that they had no involvement in the kidnappings. The charges against the two brothers were dropped. [102] Woods, Jim (September 4, 2013). "Ariel Castro dies in apparent suicide". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013 . Retrieved September 4, 2013.

a b "Judge sends Ariel Castro to prison for abduction, rape of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight (slideshow)". The Plain Dealer. August 1, 2013. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013 . Retrieved August 6, 2013. Ariel Castro lured Michelle Knight with a puppy". New York Post. Associated Press. November 6, 2013 . Retrieved March 1, 2023.Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight in Cleveland: Frequently asked questions". The Plain Dealer. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Starzyk, Edith (May 7, 2013). "Ariel Castro fired as Cleveland school bus driver for leaving bus and going home "to rest" ". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. After a few months had passed, there was talk about the women writing a book about what they had gone through. Immediately I made a decision that I wouldn’t read any of their books. I just couldn’t bear to read –let alone imagine what had happened over the eleven-year period. However, while searching for my next read, I stumbled upon Michelle’s memoir. Something tugged at my heart, and I knew I had to read her story. After entering a not guilty plea for Castro on June 12, one of his attorneys, Craig Weintraub, said that although some of the charges against Castro were indisputable, "it is our hope that we can continue to work toward a resolution to avoid having an unnecessary trial about aggravated murder and the death penalty". He noted, "We are very sensitive to the emotional strain and impact that a trial would have on the women, their families and this community". [111] Castro was found competent to stand trial on July 3. [112]

Atassi, Leila (May 9, 2013). "Michelle Knight, held captive since 2002, removed by Cleveland police from FBI database 15 months after her disappearance". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Michelle's life even before she was kidnapped was filled with hardship. She had to survive poverty, sexual abuse, and be a caretaker to her younger siblings while growing up. If you followed the case then you already know that the monster who did this killed himself not long after being sentenced to life on parole and pleading guilty. The fact that he killed himself rather than facing a life in jail, is really frustrating and makes me angry. But if Michelle can find forgiveness for him, then I find comfort in knowing that they are all alive and free. Creitz, Charlie (May 15, 2013). "Ariel Castro Relatives in Puerto Rico Say He Is 'Evil' And There Is 'Demon' Inside Him". Latin Times. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013 . Retrieved September 9, 2013. a b Caniglia, John (July 9, 2013). "New video: Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, Cleveland's 3 missing women, thank you for your support". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on July 10, 2013 . Retrieved July 9, 2013.Castro pleaded guilty on July 26 to 937 of the 977 charges against him, including charges of kidnapping, rape, and aggravated murder, as part of a plea bargain which called for consecutive sentences of life in prison plus 1,000 years, all without parole. [8] Under the plea deal, Castro forfeited his right to appeal, and could not profit in any way due to his crimes. He also forfeited his assets, including his Seymour Avenue house, which prosecutors said would be demolished. [115] Castro was told by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Russo, "You will not be getting out. Is that clear?" to which Castro responded, "I do understand that, your honor." [116] Castro also made comments about his "addiction to pornography" and "sexual problem", but was cut off by Judge Russo, who said such issues could be discussed at the August 1 sentencing hearing. [115] A law firm representing Berry, DeJesus, and Knight released a statement that the three women were "relieved by today's plea. They are satisfied by this resolution to the case, and are looking forward to having these legal proceedings draw to a final close in the near future". [115]