Charles Ramsey became a national hero on Monday when he helped rescue three missing women.
Ramsey was eating in his home south of downtown Cleveland when he
heard screaming next door and went to investigate. That's when he saw
Amanda Berry, a woman who went missing 10 years ago, and a young child.
Berry was shouting for help and trying to get outside.
"I go on the porch and she said 'Help me get out. I've been here a long time.'" Ramsey said.
Charles Ramsey speaks to media near the Cleveland home where three missing women were rescued on May 6, 2013. (AP)
He and another witness then broke the bottom of the door and freed
the inhabitants. Inside the house were two other missing women: Gina
Dejesus, who disappeared in 2004, and Michele Knight, who went missing
in 2002.
Ramsey used his cellphone to call 911;
click here to listen to the exchange (Warning: Graphic language).
When he handed the phone to Berry, she told the 911 dispatcher: "I've
been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years. And I'm here. I'm
free now."
Ramsey told WEWS-TV that he was stunned by the news that these women had been held captive next door.
"I barbecue with this dude," Ramsey said. "We eat ribs and what not,
listen to salsa music, you see where I'm coming from? Not a clue that
that girl was in that house, or anybody else was in there against their
will."
All three women were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center and were
in fair condition, WKYC reported. A 6-year-old child was also taken into custody.
