Emerging Magazine Articles : Ariel Castro: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Ariel Castro, 52, is the man accused of kidnapping Amanda Berry , Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight and keeping them hostage in a dungeon in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been arrested along two of his brothers, Pedro, 54, and Onil, 50, for numerous offenses.

Castro claims that he became a grandfather for the fifth time on April 11 via his Facebook page. He says that his grandchildren are four boys and one girl. It's also confirmed he has at least one other son and daughter and is divorced.

It's being reported that five pregnancies took place in the underground layer where Castro kept his victims. It's not known if that number includes Amanda Berry's six year old child or who sired the pregnancies.

Here's what you need to know...

1. His Daughter is in Prison for Trying to Kill a Baby

In 2008, Castro's daughter, Emily, 25, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder of her 11-month-old baby, Janyla, reports Daily News. She had tried to slash the baby's throat, FortWayne.com reported back in 2008:

[A court] sentenced [Emily] Castro to 30 years in prison but suspended the last five years, to be served on probation. She will be required to seek ongoing mental health treatment as a condition of her probation.

Emily Castro lived in Indiana at the time of the incident.

2. He Once Left a Child on a Bus

In 1993, Castro was arrested on a domestic violence charge but was not indicted. Then, in January 2004, Cleveland Safety Director Martin Flask told reporters:

... police went to the address after Castro reportedly either intentionally or accidentally left a child on a bus, but were unsuccessful in making contact with anyone in the home. An investigation found no criminal intent by Castro.

It's not clear what relation Castro was to the child in question.

Flask went on to say that in 2000, records show that Castro reported a street fight on going outside his home.

3. His Son Wrote a Story About Gina DeJesus in 2004

While a student at Bowling Green State University, Ariel "Anthony" Castro, 31, son of Ariel Sr., wrote a story detailing how the search for Gina DeJesus had changed their neighborhood forever.

He even interviewed DeJesus' mother, Nancy Ruiz. The story appeared in The Plain Press newspaper. The paper's editor, Chuck Hoven, confirmed to WKYC that Castro Jr. wrote the article for a college project.

The younger Castro spoke to WKYC after his father was revealed to be the main suspect in the kidnapping:

This is beyond comprehension...I'm truly stunned right now.

4. He's a Local Musician

Castro was known in the Cleveland area as a session bass-guitarist, reports USA Today, playing for many different group at different times.

On his Facebook page he lists his job as \"Grupo Fuego.\" That band released a statement via their Facebook page distancing themselves from Castro.

5. He Once Brutally Attacked his Former Wife.

Police once investigated Castro for a serious domestic violence incident where Castro is alleged to have severely beaten his then-wife, Grimilda Figueroa. Cleveland.com states:

Figueroa suffered two broken noses, broken ribs, a knocked-out tooth, a blood clot on the brain and two dislocated shoulders, according to a 2005 filing in Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. Her attorney requested that a judge \u201ckeep (Castro) from threatening to kill (Figueroa).

Figueroa died in April 2012 aged 48. Her son wrote in the funeral home's guestbook:

Dear Mom,

You are gone too soon, but your suffering is over. Rejoice in God's paradise, and I want the full tour when I get there. Love you always.

Anthony

6. He's Lived at the Home Since 1992

Ariel Castro bought the home at 2207 Seymour Avenue in Cleveland in 1992 from another couple named Castro. It's not known if he was any relation to them.

7. Chains and Bondage Were Found at the Home

Castro's three hostages were kept in the three separate rooms in the house's basement, reports NewsChannel5 in Cleveland. A source told the station that:

Ariel Castro kept Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, at times, tied up with the chains and tape. ... They were possibly untied at different times.

8. He Was a School Bus Driver

Castro was employed a school bus driver for the city of Cleveland. He was let go from the job in November 2012 for making an illegal U-turn with children on his bus, reports the Cleveland Leader.

9. His Neighbors Never Saw it Coming

Charles Ramsey, the heroic neighbor who helped Amanda Berry escape to make the 911 call, claimed he had "eaten ribs" with Castro.

Another neighbor, Victor Pratts, says that Castro was passionate about his motorcycle and that:

We never thought that man would do anything to anybody, he was a bus driver.

Mike Iwais, who lives 200 feet from where Amanda Berry was found, said:

I used to see him walking around all the time, but I never saw nothing crazy. This is unbelievable. It's a miracle they found him, and it's a miracle those girls are alive. It's a blessing from God.

10. He's Being Held with His Three Brothers