This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22453361

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ohio women were held with ropes and chains, police say Ohio women were held with ropes and chains, police say
(35 minutes later)
Cleveland's police chief has said the three women held captive in an Ohio house for about a decade were restrained with ropes and chains.Cleveland's police chief has said the three women held captive in an Ohio house for about a decade were restrained with ropes and chains.
Michael McGrath told US broadcaster NBC that investigators believe the victims were allowed out in the backyard occasionally.Michael McGrath told US broadcaster NBC that investigators believe the victims were allowed out in the backyard occasionally.
He added Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were in good condition "considering the circumstances".He added Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were in good condition "considering the circumstances".
Chief McGrath said a charging decision would come later on Wednesday.Chief McGrath said a charging decision would come later on Wednesday.
Former school bus driver Ariel Castro, 52, who owns the house where the women were found, has been arrested along with his two brothers, Pedro, 54, and Onil, 50.Former school bus driver Ariel Castro, 52, who owns the house where the women were found, has been arrested along with his two brothers, Pedro, 54, and Onil, 50.
Meanwhile, Cleveland public safety director Martin Flask said in a statement that no human remains had been found at the home, after "a thorough search". Police have said they are also searching other properties.Meanwhile, Cleveland public safety director Martin Flask said in a statement that no human remains had been found at the home, after "a thorough search". Police have said they are also searching other properties.
'Multiple-pregnancy reports''Multiple-pregnancy reports'
Standing near the scene, Chief McGrath told NBC's Today Show: "Currently, today, we are interviewing the suspects that were arrested here the night before last. They are talking."Standing near the scene, Chief McGrath told NBC's Today Show: "Currently, today, we are interviewing the suspects that were arrested here the night before last. They are talking."
He disputed claims by neighbours that police did not fully investigate reports of suspicious activity at 2207 Seymour Avenue, which is in a working-class district. He said the women had been allowed out of the house "very rarely".
Chief McGrath said he was "absolutely" sure police did not miss any opportunities to find the women over the years. "They were released out in the backyard once in a while I believe," he said.
Chief McGrath disputed claims by neighbours that police did not fully investigate reports of suspicious activity at 2207 Seymour Avenue, which is in a working-class district.
He said he was "absolutely" sure police did not miss any opportunities to find the women over the years.
Neighbours have told news organisations they had made multiple calls to police about the house to report women crying for help and the noise of pounding on doors.Neighbours have told news organisations they had made multiple calls to police about the house to report women crying for help and the noise of pounding on doors.
Chief McGrath said he could not confirm reports that the captives had had multiple pregnancies.Chief McGrath said he could not confirm reports that the captives had had multiple pregnancies.
Police have confirmed a six-year-old girl, Jocelyn, who was discovered along with the women, is Ms Berry's daughter. Police have confirmed a six-year-old girl, Jocelyn, who was discovered along with the women, is Ms Berry's daughter. The girl was conceived and born during her mother's captivity.
Twenty-seven-year-old Ms Berry, who disappeared in 2003 aged 16, escaped with the help of a neighbour who heard her screaming while her alleged captor was out of the house.Twenty-seven-year-old Ms Berry, who disappeared in 2003 aged 16, escaped with the help of a neighbour who heard her screaming while her alleged captor was out of the house.
When police arrived they also found Ms DeJesus, 23, and Ms Knight, 32, in the house. Ms DeJesus had gone missing in 2004, while Ms Knight had disappeared in 2002. When police arrived they also found Ms DeJesus, 23, and Ms Knight, 32, in the house. Ms DeJesus had gone missing aged 14 in 2004, while Ms Knight had disappeared in 2002, aged 20.
Ariel Castro reportedly fled the neighbourhood, and was arrested at a nearby McDonald's restaurant, according to local media. It is unclear when his brothers were detained.Ariel Castro reportedly fled the neighbourhood, and was arrested at a nearby McDonald's restaurant, according to local media. It is unclear when his brothers were detained.
Backlash against 'psychic'
A neighbour, Israel Lugo, told the Associated Press that Ariel Castro had identified Jocelyn as "his girlfriend's daughter" when they went to a nearby park to play last week.A neighbour, Israel Lugo, told the Associated Press that Ariel Castro had identified Jocelyn as "his girlfriend's daughter" when they went to a nearby park to play last week.
Residents of the mostly Puerto Rican district said the former bus driver, a family friend of Ms DeJesus, had attended a candlelight vigil for her last year.Residents of the mostly Puerto Rican district said the former bus driver, a family friend of Ms DeJesus, had attended a candlelight vigil for her last year.
Ariel Castro's son, Anthony, had written a news article about Ms DeJesus' disappearance. On Tuesday, he was quoted as saying that it was "unspeakable" to discover the suspected perpetrators were members of his own family. Ariel Castro's son, Anthony, had written a news article about Ms DeJesus' disappearance in 2004. On Tuesday, he was quoted as saying that it was "unspeakable" to discover the suspected perpetrators were members of his own family.
Cleveland's police were pilloried in 2009 after the discovery of a home in a poor district where Anthony Sowell had killed 11 women.Cleveland's police were pilloried in 2009 after the discovery of a home in a poor district where Anthony Sowell had killed 11 women.
Victims' families allege that police had not taken neighbours' reported suspicions seriously enough.Victims' families allege that police had not taken neighbours' reported suspicions seriously enough.
Meanwhile, there has been an online backlash against a self-proclaimed psychic, Sylvia Browne, who in 2004 told Ms Berry's mother, Louwana Miller, on TV that her daughter was dead and that her last words were "goodbye, mom, I love you".
Ms Miller died in 2006 of heart failure, aged 43.