Cleveland Kidnapping Escapees
The miraculous escape that ended a nightmare
4.4 (34)
51 mins
Explore the Cleveland kidnappings and the years of captivity endured by three women who vanished from their families and communities. Discover how Ariel Castro kept them imprisoned and how a brief moment of opportunity allowed the women to break free and alert a neighbor. View how their escape led police to the house and brought an extraordinary rescue to light.
Ep 1:
Ten Years Behind a Locked Door
A quiet Cleveland street hides a decade-long nightmare as three women vanish one by one, lured by an ordinary man's casual offer of a ride.
Ep 2:
A Kindergarten Built From Chains
Inside locked walls, a mother births a child in secret and builds her a kindergarten, as small acts of defiance keep hope alive amid unrelenting captivity.
Ep 3:
The Escape and the Life After
The door finally breaks open on May 6th, 2013—but freedom brings its own overwhelming flood of fear, joy, and impossible first requests.
Ep 4:
Rebuilt: Broadcaster, Advocate, Healer
A decade after escape, three survivors forge unexpected new lives—on television, in a nonprofit, and among rescued animals—proving they are heroes of their own stories.
Discussions (5)
Justin
Level 3 · 1 mo agoShe built a school in a locked room. Excuse me while I cry.
Alan
Level 6 · 1 mo agoCastro pleaded guilty to 937 counts and got life plus 1000 years. He hanged himself one month in. Both of those facts check out.
Travis
Level 8 · 1 mo agoThat moment Amanda asked for a coloring book and a journal in her first week. Already thinking about evidence. Already refusing to let him get away with it. That is not survival instinct that is something else entirely.
