'I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile': Ohio kidnap victims say thanks

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight release a thank you video to show their appreciation to all the people who have offered their support.

By Mark Stevenson, Staff Writer, NBC News

Describing a journey "through hell and back," the three Cleveland women who were freed in May after a decade in captivity say they're thankful to be home and grateful for an outpouring of love and support.

Each of the three women ? Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight ? speaks in a video posted Tuesday to YouTube.

Knight, who told investigators that she was repeatedly impregnated by the accused captor, Ariel Castro, and punched in the stomach until she miscarried, says in the video that she wants people to know "I'm doing just fine."

"I may have been through hell and back," she says, "but I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face and with my head held high."

She adds: "I will not let the situation define who I am. I will define the situation."

Castro, 52, has pleaded not guilty to a 329-count indictment in the case that includes multiple kidnapping and rape charges. He's being held on $8 million bond.

For the first time since they were rescued from a home in Cleveland, the three kidnapping victims who were kept captive for a decade are speaking out in a YouTube video. NBC's Jeff Rossen reports and Clint Van Zandt discusses the video.

Authorities accuse him of kidnapping the women between 2002 and 2004 when they were between 14 and 20 years old. A trial is scheduled for Aug. 5.

The women escaped in May after Berry broke partway through a door and screamed to a neighbor for help.

"First and foremost, I want everyone to know how happy I am to be home with my family and my friends,? Berry says in the video. ?It's been unbelievable. I want to thank everyone who has helped me and my family through this entire ordeal. Everyone who has been there to support us -- it's been a blessing to have such an outpouring of love and kindness."

DeJesus also pays tribute those who have contributed to the Cleveland Courage Fund, which was set up to help the three make the transition from captivity to independence.?

The video was recorded last week at a Cleveland law firm, according to a lawyer for the three women.

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This story was originally published on Tue Jul 9, 2013 12:50 AM EDT

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