elizabethton

elizabethton

Amanda Berry Sister makes a statement at NEWS CONFERENCE for her return home from captivity

1w ago
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Amanda Berry Sister interview makes a statement after her return home from captivity || Amanda Berry arrives at family home, prepares to speak to media Amanda Berry returns Home to family VIDEO of her returning home FINALLY HOME Awaiting news conference || Kidnapped Woman Amanda Berry, Daughter Coming Home to Sister's Residence After a decade in captivity, Amanda Berry is coming home. A wall of balloons and stuffed animals decorated the porch of Berry's sister's home, where she is expected to arrive with her 6-yeear-old daughter Jocelyn today. Berry will go into the home, "freshen up," and will come out on the porch and make a brief statement, Commander Thomas McCartney, of the Cleveland Police Department told reporters. The original missing flyer showing Amanda and a yellow ribbon were tied to a tree outside the home, a sign of hope for Berry's family and law enforcement, who said they never gave up hope. "Hope is alive today and our dreams have been answered," McCartney said. Berry's Call to Her Grandmother Twenty-four hours after making an emotional call to police following her daring escape from 10 years of captivity, Berry made a far different call to family members in Tennessee to let them know she is "glad to be back." The elation among family members and friends stretched well beyond the home where Berry, 27, and two other women -- Gina DeJesus, 23, and Michele Knight, 32 -- were allegedly held captive on Seymour Avenue in Cleveland. Berry called her grandmother Fern Gentry of Elizabethton, Tenn., Tuesday to say that the little girl in the hospital photo is her 6-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, according to ABC News affiliate WEWS-TV, which was present during the call. "Is the little girl your baby?" Gentry asked. PHOTO: Amanda Berry, sister and daughter Family Handout courtesy WOIO-TV/AFP/Newscom Amanda Berry, center, with her 6-year-old... View Full Size Castro Reportedly Family Friends with Alleged Victim Watch Video Charles Ramsey: 'Either I'm Stupid' or He's That Good Watch Video Fear Can Stop Kidnapping Victims From Escape Attempts Watch Video "Yeah, she's my daughter, she was born on Christmas," Berry said. Many of Berry's relatives, including her grandparents and father, now live in Tennessee. Some of Berry's younger cousins only know her through pictures and stories told by other family members. Berry went missing at age 16 in 2003 while on her way home from a job at Burger King. RELATED: Amanda Berry's Mother Died Without Getting Answers "I'm glad to have you back," grandmother Gentry said to Berry. "I'm glad to be back," Berry said. Berry's father, John, said he had a short conversation with her Tuesday and through his darkest days, he always knew his daughter was alive. VIDEO: Amanda Berry's Father Always Knew She Was Alive "I didn't think she was dead. No, never," Berry said. "Keep hope. Keep hope. Don't give up till you know because I never gave up." Berry said he knew deep down in his heart that his daughter's "rough and tough" attitude would keep her alive. That's why he spent years putting posters up in every store window, knowing he would one day get that call. His former wife, Louwana Miller, worked hard to bring their daughter home, pleading with authorities to follow every tip. Miller died in 2006 at the age of 43 after being hospitalized with pancreatitis. Berry suspects she died of a broken heart. Berry, who is recovering from back surgery, finally received that long-awaited call from a Cleveland relative after his daughter broke through a door and bolted toward freedom. RELATED: Girl Born in Captivity Smiling, Eating Popsicles "There's no way to explain. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. Best feeling I ever had," Berry said. Michele Knight, who vanished in 2002 when she was 20, is expected to be released from the hospital later today. Knight's mother, Barbara, revealed that when her daughter disappeared, she filed a police report, but no one took her serious...