Comments on: Kidnapped

Exclusive: Shawn Hornbeck's Incredible Story

[grantview]

To those of you who refer to Michael Devlin as a monster, the devil, etc. you are not helping anyone. Michael Devlin''s actions and behaviors are certainly reprehensible, but as a human being he is capable of redemption. He should stay locked up though. I work with offenders some of whom are sexual offenders. I''ve never felt that way about any person, but I condemn what they have done.

Most of the time these offenders were screwed over when they were young. I don''t believe monsters are born; they are created. Watching the TV show Most Evil provides insight.

From what I''ve read about Michael Devlin, he had a pretty typical uneventful childhood. Though, I admit, I do not all the details. In which case, what led Michael Devlin to do what he did? I believe the answer is rampant pornography. We need to put the brakes on today''s over-sexualized culture for sake of children and families.

[dssteiger]

That may be the most ignorant thing I have ever read. This guy is a monster and deserves to die for his crimes against these innocent boys. Blaming pornography for his actions is ridiculous. He is a sick demented monster that is a total waste of oxygen. There is no helping him, but there may be help for you with years of therapy because I shudder to think what this world would be like if there are others that think the same way you do.

[dsimpson1966]

To those who searched hours, weeks, months, years, THANK YOU!!! But to those who reported the story, you left out some critical information. There was another circumstance that led the KPD to be in the right place at the right time. The neighbors near "the DEVILS" apartment noticed the white truck & informed the KPD. I give special thanks to the people who were left out of the story. We in StL & surrounding areas haven''t forgotten.

[lperolio]

This horrifying story is every parent''s worst nightmare. As parent to a 13-year old boy, I was particularly moved by Shawn''s story - plus the fact I grew up in the St Louis area and this just hits too close to home. Shawn - you are mature and brave way beyond your years. One cannot express how your bravery and strength has touched all of us. We can only hope our sons grow up to be as strong as you have. God bless you and your family!

[porchwatcher]

It sends shivers down my spine to know that Devlin also worked at a funeral home. If he had access to a crematory.....there is no telling where Shawn could have ended up...and I wonder if any other victims "aged out" that way?

[monique0123]

To stlcopper: Those of us who read stories from several different news outlets when Shawn and Ben were found know of the wonderful job the KPD did in surveilling Devlin''s apartment before he was arrested. Why CBS left this critical fact out of an hour-long story is odd. To Shawn: I wish you the very best in life. Had you not convinced Devlin to keep you alive, he most certainly would have gone on to kill you and kidnap, abuse, and kill other boys. Even though unwilling, you took the abuse others would certainly have suffered. What a life this is that a boy (or girl) can''t ride his (her) bike alone without fearing abduction. As for Devlin, he is pure evil, and if other inmates want to get him and teach him a lesson, they will find a way. I pray for you and Ben and your families that you continue to put this behind you and lead peaceful and fulfilling lives from here on out.

[minicooper70]

After watching this, there is a higher being. This man is the Devil! I don''t know how Shawn endured these 4 years with this monster. I did not know that Devlin tried to kill him and made Shawn beg for his life, then all the abuse! Then 4 years later he snatched another one? UGH. Hopefully for one moment Shawn can forget this horrible incident, if just for one moment.

[stlcopper]

Ok, I want to know why the two Kirkwood officers were completely passed over for this story. The pizza manager alerted KPD. The two officers trying to serve the warrant happened upon the truck and THEY alerted the FBI. THEY are the ones that sat out there all night long watching the apartment until their shift ended. Other Kirkwood officers took up the watch after 2am until the FBI finaly arrived the NEXT day.. ***??? How can you leave those two out? That is just wrong wrong wrong CBS. Come on. We are all so happy for the outcome, but to just pass them over is not right. As one of them said though, they know what REALLY happened and that is all that matters..

[leggz_diamond]

to sticopper who bundled your bloomers? my gosh, not a word nor a peep of sympathy for the victum? the accused? just ****** police, fbi and news reporting? is that really all yougot out of this? not even a hurah for strong willed, survivors like shawn? I do hope in future readings you try to look for the good. you may not find it but at least trrrry.

[tyleroses]

Thank you so much for sharing with us your ordeal, Shawn.
Americans love you! We are All proud of you! You''ve done it, can do it, will continue to do it. You will continue to heal, though perhaps slower than you''d like. Continue living your life to the fullest, making your dreams come true. You are stronger than you know, and braver than most of us.
May God grant you every joy, every blessing, and every benefit. May you be deeply loved and appreciated.
Keep working, keep learning and growing. You are so smart!
Thanks to CBS for presenting your story in a way that respects you and your privacy.
Words are nice, but please know that our family is here for you and yours if there is ever a need.
Bravo,
Barbara J. Tyler

[janierene]

I hope you don''t mind me askin Mrs. Hornback, But could you plez tell me the name of that CD you said you played over and over in your car while your son was gone? Something about An Angel. Thank you. Also I''m so glad your family is 2gether again! I will keep u in my prayers!!

[kendalr40]

It was "Calling All Angels" by the band TRAIN.

[apegirlz]

to shawn hornbeck;i want to say to you that you are a very brave young man.i understand the fear,as i myself was also on two separate times,nearly abducted as a little girl, as well as my own daughter,she was just 6 months at the time,it only takes just less thenone minute.but lucky for me and my little girl i kept alert and watchful and loving and protective of her.my parents,rescued me.they saw a strange man near me watching me and acting suspious.they scared him away from me. but with my own child i observed the same man earlier,it seemed so strange to me that he would be so close by every-where i went.i looked at him and recognized him as he was seen by me earlier as the same man who almost took another woman;s small child she was almost taken out of the walmart store i was in.i some-how got her away from him, he was trying to carry her out to his waiting van outside, i had to physically grab her and put her with me and wait for store security to get her and her mother,who was looking for her.she was just a small baby girl of just one years old.so you see i understand,even if i was,nt actually held like you were ,i can still relate to the fear of parents , who go through pain when their own child goes missing. please parents who are reading this ,be aware be safe, its not just our children its us too. it can happen to any-one at any time day or night.

[mjejk]

I remember this case from when I lived in STL and the reporting for this episode is not correct. There were many other people who reported their suspicions regarding "The Devil" Devlin. I HATE watching this kind of stuff knowing I am being lied to or deceived by the network.

[caseys1515]

These days it is very difficult to find people to truly look up to and admire. Well, Shawn its very easy to do with you. I cant even begin to say how happy I am for both you and your family. I hope you continue to enjoy every minute of every day of your life. You certainly deserve an enormous amount of happiness. Thank you for sharing your story. It warms my heart to see you enjoying your life, and being back with your family. You are a true inspiration and an absolutely amazing young man.

[geek_grrl]

What an amazing young man. God bless you and your family for continuing to get though this ordeal. You probably don''t feel like one, but you are a hero as well as a survivor.

[stllms]

Shawn, What a wonderful young man it appears you have become. Instead of allowing this experience to define who you are, thus continuing to give Michael Devlin the power to control you, you seem to have decided to use this experience to make you a stronger person. I find it inspirational that you are willing to share your story so that others might be able to protect themselves. I am so sorry that this happened to you, but you should know that because of you, others will be safer. As my sister has done,
I encourage all parents to talk with their children and create fictious names that the child can used to contact their family via the internet, should a situation arise. Again, thank you for your strengh and courage. Be happy and enjoy your Prom.

[camcon5]

Shawn, as a fellow Washington County resident, I have to tell you how proud I am of you. I am so happy that you had the will to survive your horrible ordeal. I don''t think that there was a dry eye in our county the night they found you. For four years, everyone in our small town thought of you and remembered you when we would look at your "missing" posters. You have turned into a wonderful young man. I know that you will continue to help others that have been in your situation. Don''t ever second guess yourself. None of us know what you went through and we will never be able to judge you. Hold your head up high and continue to be the remarkable young man that you have become. Your life is destined for great things!

[regi224-2009]

To Shawn Hornbeck,
No one has a right to question you regarding your terrible ordeal. They should be thankful that you are here. I am sure that words could not express or that one can imagine what you experienced. Suffice to say, that when and if you want to talk..you will. If not that is fine too.
I thank the Lord that you were returned safely. (I think of my own grandson.)
God bless you and your family. I wish you the best! You will accomplish everything that you desire. You have (already)proven that you are a determined and strong young man!

[gonecountry3-2009]

Shawn, as a survivor of kidnapping and rape, although nothing to the extreme of your situation, I just want you to know, it was never ever your fault. Don''t let anyone question why you did what you did, they don''t have a clue what its like. I watched my best friend get shot in the head, and live! But yet I got questioned why it wasn''t me and just her. You are a miracle, and thank God you''re here and alive! You do what you need to, to get through it all, and let your parents love and hug you every day. Be youself!