The story begins in August 2002 in Cleveland, where a 21-year-old woman named Michel is looking for a home she has been told to visit by her son's friend, Ariel Castro. Castro, a bus driver, offers to drive her there. However, upon arriving at his home, he locks her in a basement and starts a life of abuse.
Castro, who has a wife and two other daughters, manipulates Michel into believing she will be released after Christmas. However, he continues to abuse her, and in 2003, she gives birth to a baby girl, whom he names Jocelyne. Castro continues his abuse, and in 2004, he introduces Gina DeJesus to the household, chaining her to Michel.
In 2006, Castro introduces a third girl, Amanda Berry, to the household. All three women are kept in the basement, chained to each other and subjected to sexual abuse. Castro also films their torment and torture.
In 2013, Amanda Berry manages to escape and alerts the police. They break into Castro's home and find Michel, Gina, and Amanda, who had been imprisoned for over a decade. All three women are rushed to the hospital, where they receive medical treatment and eventually regain their freedom.
Castro is arrested and charged with numerous counts of kidnapping, rape, and torture. He is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
1. The story begins under a blazing sun in August 2002 in Cleveland, United States.
2. The story revolves around Michelle, a 21-year-old woman who looks 15 and has a child named Joey.
3. Michelle is in a meeting with her son, who has been placed in a home due to her being taken away from custody of her son Joey because his dead drunk grandfather had broken her leg.
4. Michelle is in trouble and stressed as she cannot find a home she has the address on a piece of paper.
5. A man named Ariel Castro, who is known to Michelle as her friend's father, helps her find the home.
6. Castro invites Michelle to his house and offers to take her to see puppies in the basement.
7. Castro then locks Michelle in the basement and starts raping her.
8. Castro chains Michelle to a pole and puts a motorcycle helmet on her head to muffle the screams.
9. Castro routinely rapes Michelle and tortures her in the basement.
10. Castro also starts raping Gina DeJesus, who is chained to Amanda Berry and Michelle.
11. Castro introduces his son to the girls but then warns them not to scream.
12. Castro starts to give the girls more autonomy in the house but continues to rape them.
13. Castro announces that his family is coming to spend a few days, so the girls are chained in a van in full sun.
14. Castro's wife, Amanda Berry, becomes pregnant in early 2006 and Castro is delighted.
15. Castro takes Amanda's daughter, Jocelyne, to mass every Sunday.
16. Castro starts to let the girls take the air in the garden with a wig so as not to be recognized.
17. Castro continues to rape and humiliate the girls, especially Michelle.
18. Castro starts to let the girls take the air in the garden with a wig so as not to be recognized.
19. On May 6, 2013, Amanda Berry, who had been kidnapped for 10 years, manages to escape from Castro's house.
20. Amanda Berry's call to the police is recorded and broadcasted across the globe.