Gina DeJesus’ mom forgives Ariel Castro for Cleveland kidnappings

The mother of Gina DeJesus, who was held captive in a Cleveland house for nine years, says she would forgive Ariel Castro and "give him a hug" if she could. 

"I would hug him and I would say, 'God bless you," Ruiz told ABC.

Ruiz told ABC's 20/20 she has known Castro for decades because he lived in the same neighborhood and showed concern when her daughter, now 23, disappeared.

In a cruel and bizarre act, Castro allegedly asked Ruiz last year how she was holding up without her daughter.

Ruiz comments are a turnaround from her immediate reaction when the women, including Amanda Berry, 27, Michelle Knight, 32, and a 6-year-old daughter born to Berry in captivity were found alive Monday in Cleveland, Ohio.

According to a relative, Ruiz screamed in Spanish "Matalo!", which means "Kill him," MailOnline reported.

But she said Friday she had forgived whoever kidnapped her daughter years ago.

Meanwhile, Michelle Knight's mother said she has still not spoken to her daughter and had no idea where she was staying, CNN reported.

But a police source said Knight "is in a safe place and very comfortable."