Steve Ornstein, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder expert and co-founder of Neurodevelopmental Learning Institute in Playa del Rey, Calif., tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY:
Just because Ariel Castro took Jocelyn out to McDonalds on occasion does not mean he treated her well. He treated her like a pet — giving her the occasional treat and sometimes taking her places with him. But most of time lets not forget this young girl was kept locked up in a dirty house, most likely in one bedroom, with no windows open. Young kids are easier to control than older ones. Ariel is a controlling person and he wanted control of these women, including his daughter. He could better control Jocelyn by taking her out to breakfast, giving her candy, making her feel special.
“How could he have treated Jocelyn well? He didn’t send her to school. She had no social interaction with kids her own age. He didn’t take her to the doctor. Think of how cold it was during the winter and how hot and humid it was during the summer. She lived in squalor,” explains Steven.
Was Joceyn Berry Abused By Ariel Castro?
“How do we know that Jocelyn was not sexually or physically abused by Ariel?” asks Steven. “We don’t know what she may have witnessed. But what we do you know is that Jocelyn can recover and have a good life.”
“It must be incredibly confusing for Jocelyn because she sees her daddy as her daddy, not as a monster. At her young age there is only so much she can handle, so she must be given this information about her father in small doses. You can’t shock her with the whole truth in one sitting. She has to learn how to integrate this information,” explains Steven.
Jocelyn Berry Can Recover With Professional Help
“She was born and raised in captivity,” says Steven. “It is vital that she undergo professional therapy because how she lived and what she observed, and experienced was far from normal. All of these experiences can have extreme consequences if not dealt with properly.”
“They were all living in some kind of cult, like prisoners of war. Slowly they have be adjust to a new way of living, and all of this can be done with lots of love and support.”
We are sending our prayers and light to Jocelyn Berry, her mom Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus, and all of their family members and friends.
WATCH: Amanda Berry And Daughter Return Home After 10 Years
–Reporting by Sandra Clark
More On Ariel Castro’s Daughter, Jocelyn Berry:
- Ariel Castro Father Of Amanda Berry’s Daughter, Jocelyn Berry — DNA Tests Confirm
- Amanda Berry’s Daughter, Jocelyn Berry, Cried ‘I Want My Daddy’ After Rescue
- Ariel Castro Took Amanda Berry’s Daughter Out To Visit ‘Grandmother’