Kidnapped ... from left, Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry and Michelle Knight
Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were restrained by chains attached to the
basement wall and dog leashes attached to the ceiling.
They were forced into “stress positions” for long periods in “war camp” conditions that left them with bed sores and other injuries.
When their alleged kidnapper Ariel Castro left for long periods of time, he would cover their eyes with duct tape, leaving a small opening over their mouth so they could breathe, the source claimed.
The pair now require long-term therapy for injuries such as hearing loss and joint and muscle damage, according to sources.
Gina and Michelle are said to have been in worse condition than third kidnap victim Amanda Berry when they emerged from the home of Castro, 52, accused of kidnapping and raping the women.
Castro apparently treated Amanda – who broke down a door to freedom a week ago with the help of a neighbour – in a better way than the other two in his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
“There is a reason why you have only seen a picture of Amanda,” said one source.
While Amanda was photographed smiling immediately after the dramatic rescue, Gina covered her head with a hooded sweat-shirt. Michelle was hospitalised for days, staying out of public view.
Sources described DeJesus and Knight as gaunt with closely cropped hair when they were freed.
One said: “One of the girls has difficulty moving her head around from being chained up.
“It was like they were POWs [prisoners of war]. They had bed sores from being left in positions for extended lengths of time.”
The source added: “If he left for long periods of time he would sometimes duct tape-up the women over all parts of their faces, even their eyes, only leaving an opening so they could breathe.
“Then he would just rip it off pulling off skin and hair.”
Castro would allegedly bring food to one or two of the girls, making "the others watch as they or he would eat in front of them.”
But Gina and Michelle would sneak food to each other when Castro wasn’t around or watching.
Psychologist Sherry Hamby said the “closest parallel” to the women's plight would be “prisoners of war”.
A police report said Michelle was starved for weeks at a time and punched in the stomach to induce several miscarriages. Castro is expected to be charged with foetal homicide.
One police officer who helped rescue the women described the discovery as "overwhelming".
Cleveland Patrol Officer Anthony Espada was greeted by Michelle Knight who jumped onto him inside the house, crying: “You saved us! You saved us!”
Writing in a police blog, he said: “Everybody was in the right place. It couldn't have gotten any better than that, that day.
"I don't feel like a hero. I'm just glad I was there, you know, just making sure they were safe. I feel so happy for them."
Describing the moment they spotted Amanda at the home, Espada wrote: "We see this girl. She's like raising her hand, holding a child. I'm looking at my partner, 'Is it her?'
"He said, 'I can't tell.' We were pulling up closer and as soon as we pull up, my partner was driving, so she came up to the driver's side.
"He looked up at me and he's like, 'It is her.'
"We figured he might possibly be in the house because she kept pointing at the house.
“My partner asked if anyone was still inside. She said, 'Yes. Gina DeJesus and another girl.' And it was like another bombshell with overwhelming force just hit me."
After Espada and his cop partner entered the home, he spotted Michelle. He said: “She came charging at me. She jumped onto me...'You saved us! You saved us!'"
They were forced into “stress positions” for long periods in “war camp” conditions that left them with bed sores and other injuries.
When their alleged kidnapper Ariel Castro left for long periods of time, he would cover their eyes with duct tape, leaving a small opening over their mouth so they could breathe, the source claimed.
The pair now require long-term therapy for injuries such as hearing loss and joint and muscle damage, according to sources.
Charged ... Ariel Castro
Gina and Michelle are said to have been in worse condition than third kidnap victim Amanda Berry when they emerged from the home of Castro, 52, accused of kidnapping and raping the women.
Castro apparently treated Amanda – who broke down a door to freedom a week ago with the help of a neighbour – in a better way than the other two in his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
“There is a reason why you have only seen a picture of Amanda,” said one source.
While Amanda was photographed smiling immediately after the dramatic rescue, Gina covered her head with a hooded sweat-shirt. Michelle was hospitalised for days, staying out of public view.
Sources described DeJesus and Knight as gaunt with closely cropped hair when they were freed.
One said: “One of the girls has difficulty moving her head around from being chained up.
House of horror ... the building where the three women were imprisoned
“It was like they were POWs [prisoners of war]. They had bed sores from being left in positions for extended lengths of time.”
The source added: “If he left for long periods of time he would sometimes duct tape-up the women over all parts of their faces, even their eyes, only leaving an opening so they could breathe.
“Then he would just rip it off pulling off skin and hair.”
Castro would allegedly bring food to one or two of the girls, making "the others watch as they or he would eat in front of them.”
But Gina and Michelle would sneak food to each other when Castro wasn’t around or watching.
Psychologist Sherry Hamby said the “closest parallel” to the women's plight would be “prisoners of war”.
Hooded ... Gina DeJesus after her release
A police report said Michelle was starved for weeks at a time and punched in the stomach to induce several miscarriages. Castro is expected to be charged with foetal homicide.
One police officer who helped rescue the women described the discovery as "overwhelming".
Cleveland Patrol Officer Anthony Espada was greeted by Michelle Knight who jumped onto him inside the house, crying: “You saved us! You saved us!”
Writing in a police blog, he said: “Everybody was in the right place. It couldn't have gotten any better than that, that day.
"I don't feel like a hero. I'm just glad I was there, you know, just making sure they were safe. I feel so happy for them."
Missing ... a missing poster is still pinned on a tree outside the home of Amanda Berry
Describing the moment they spotted Amanda at the home, Espada wrote: "We see this girl. She's like raising her hand, holding a child. I'm looking at my partner, 'Is it her?'
"He said, 'I can't tell.' We were pulling up closer and as soon as we pull up, my partner was driving, so she came up to the driver's side.
"He looked up at me and he's like, 'It is her.'
"We figured he might possibly be in the house because she kept pointing at the house.
“My partner asked if anyone was still inside. She said, 'Yes. Gina DeJesus and another girl.' And it was like another bombshell with overwhelming force just hit me."
After Espada and his cop partner entered the home, he spotted Michelle. He said: “She came charging at me. She jumped onto me...'You saved us! You saved us!'"
Relief ... one cop who helped rescue the women described the discovery as 'overwhelming'
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