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Gina DeJesus Returns Home, Family Speaks Out

Gina DeJesus (thumbs up) is whisked into her home, while her dad, Felix DeJesus, smiles on (Plain Dealer photo)
Gina DeJesus (thumbs up) is whisked into her home, while her dad, Felix DeJesus, smiles on (Plain Dealer photo)

Gina DeJesus went missing in 2004 when she was only 14. She and two other women were freed Monday night from the Seymour Avenue home of Ariel Castro.

At a press conference held outside the family home, DeJesus' aunt, Sandra Ruiz, called on God to watch over everyone, and thanked investigators and the Cleveland Police. She also asked the community not to act out of anger for the women's imprisonment.

"The family, is asking…that we as a community do not go retaliate against the family of the suspects of this crime," said Ruiz.

Gina DeJesus herself made a hurried entrance, hugged tightly by a relative as they entered the home as people cheered.

Hours earlier, Amanda Berry also came home. Neither Berry or DeJesus made any public statements.

The third victim, Michelle Knight, is reported in good condition at a local hospital.

Ariel Castro has been charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and rape. His two brothers, Pedro and Onil, had been previously arrested but no criminal charges are pending against them.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.