Parents: Innocence Lost For Kidnapped Son

Shawn Hornbeck's Parents Tell CBS News He "Is Truly A Survivor"

(CBS/AP)  The parents of a teenage boy who had been missing for more than four years believe their son's innocence was lost during the traumatic ordeal.

"It's obvious," Shawn Hornbeck's mother, Pam Akers told Tracy Smith of CBS News' The Early Show. "He's missed out on so many things and he was forced into situations that no one should be forced."

Shawn's parents also believe he was sexually abused by the man accused of kidnapping Shawn, Michael Devlin.

"We can't say for sure, I mean, that would be a logical conclusion," Craig Akers, Shawn's stepfather, said.

He praised Shawn for being so strong throughout the entire experience.

"He is truly a survivor. A lesser person might not have made it. He is so strong," Craig Akers said.

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Watch interview with Shawn Hornbeck's parents.

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Devlin, a 41-year-old pizzeria manager, is also accused of taking 13-year-old Ben Ownby just after the boy got off a school bus in Beaufort, about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis earlier this month. A schoolmate's tip about a white pickup helped lead authorities to Devlin's apartment in a St. Louis suburb, where they found Ben and Shawn on Jan. 12.

Prosecutors said Devlin, who also is charged with kidnapping Shawn but has not yet entered a plea in that case, terrorized Shawn with a handgun to get him to cooperate. Shawn's grandmother said he told her Devlin woke him every 45 minutes in an apparent attempt to control him

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey on a TV show that aired Thursday, Shawn's parents said they have not asked their son about his ordeal on the advice of child advocacy experts.

However, Shawn's parents told The Early Show that Shawn slept as much as he could while in captivity as a way to cope with his pain.

"When he sleeps, it all goes away, you know, it's his escape," Craig Akers said of Shawn.

In a chilling twist, Shawn and his parents may have crossed paths online more than a year ago. Someone going by "Shawn Devlin" visited his parents' online message board and wrote "how long are you planning to look for your son?"

The possibility that they may have unintentionally passed over the message filled Shawn's parents with guilt, they said.

"It's very hard for me to handle that part, knowing that my son was reaching out for me," a tearful Pam Akers told Smith.

Shawn's parents said he wants to help other missing children. "He lived it for 4 1/2 years and he does not want anybody to have to go through it," Pam Akers said.

Shawn, who had dark floppy hair and piercings in his face when he was found, had a cleaner look in a taped interview with Winfrey. He said he always hoped for a reunion with his family.

"If it wasn't for Ben, I might not be here right now," Shawn said. "I'm thankful that he held in there for those few days. I told myself a long time ago I never wanted any kid to go through what I went through."

Shawn said he was not ready to discuss details of his abduction and the subsequent 51 months he spent living with Devlin. Winfrey said the boy told her off-camera that he was "terrified" to contact his parents during the last four years.

Devlin's attorney, Michael Kielty, declined to respond to the claim of sexual abuse, saying he hasn't seen evidence in the case. "The only thing I have is an allegation," he said.

N.G. Berrill, a psychologist and director of the consulting firm New York Forensic and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said it makes sense to look into old cases now that a suspect is in custody.

Devlin "may have tried this before and not known how to pull it off," Berrill said.

He said a serial kidnapper tends to be "an isolated, socially awkward individual ... the kind of person people say that seemed OK and people didn't get to know them.

"He looks like an average Joe," Berrill said. "I suspect he has this need to keep kids. He's sort of collecting children."

Lincoln County, Mo., authorities have called Devlin the "most viable lead" in the case of Charles Arlin Henderson, who was 11 when he disappeared while riding his bike in 1991 and has never been found.

The boy, known as Arlin, was, like Ben and Shawn, about 100 pounds and from a rural town about an hour from St. Louis.

"We can't discount him in an investigation into any missing child," Lt. Rick Harrell said.

[achadog]

Can You Say " Death penalty" !

[vancouverboo]

The worst will come later, when he's back in school and his little classmates will be taunting him about having *** with the old man, and being a queer. Kids are so rotten.

I wonder if the parents are so wise to tell Oprah - and Oprah, why did you have to ask them, are your ratings so important? - and the Morning News about their beliefs that he was molested. It's just giving ammunition to the little *** down the road to make fun of this poor guy.

[cjlemmon3]

The real crime and shame is the publicity hungry parents who, instead of considering the emotional state and delicate nature of their son, decided that doing the talk show circuit and seeking out their 15 minutes of fame to be the family priority. How sick that so many Americans have become so dumbed down that they actually seek out the media in order to put what should be their private lives on public display, all because they have come to believe the T.V. coverage is the important thing. Worry about the kid's psycological state later.

[my2cents2-2009]

I agree. He's home. Why do we need to know what happened to him. Why does this need to be discussed on national news. Why does Oprah need to know if he's sexually abused--why hasn't he been sheltered by his parents. Book deal, movie rights? We are a sick society getting sicker every day, we make child molesters look tame. Everyone is now abusing this child.

[cam5e]

As victim of Sexual abuse during my childhood my heart cries out to this young man. He needs time and space to readjust to his new life. I hope that we as the news reading public and the Media will give his young man the respect he deserves and the time to come to grips with the horrors he has been forced to live. God Bless you Shawn.

[dasil27]

Let the ingnorance run rampant - good heavens kimden1! Until you have walked a mile in his shoes who are you to pass judgment on a child? He was still a boy when he was first taken and abused, you and I have no idea what horrors that boy has seen so until you are an expert in coping skills and survival psychology you would do well to remember that the monster here is the ADULT who victimized children as he saw fit. Perhaps volunteering with a victims shelter or child welfare organization would open your eyes a bit. Political incorrectness can be dealt with by an apology, there is no excuse for ignorance.

[pottyadlady]

"Welcome Home" Ben and Shawn. You are Survivors...Continue to be strong.Lean on your family. They love you more than anyone.
God Bless you both and your families.

To Ben and Shawn's family: my prayers and thoughts are with you; be strong and have faith in the justice system. And ignore the IDIOT'S comments out there.

To the friend of Ben's who identified the vehicle surrounding Ben's disappearance: You are a HERO.WAY TO GO!

To the IDIOTS I referred to who taunted and teased Shawn's parents with your messages that you were either Shawn himself, OR knew where he might be,: WHAT KIND OF SICK PEOPLE WOULD DO THIS? The disappearance of your child is a parent's absolute worst nightmare!
To the other IDIOTS out there who have left such ridiculing comments, don't be so quick to judge the victims or their families.

To society: Almost everyday we hear of yet another abduction of an innocent child; every story I hear makes my heart bleed and my thoughts and prayers go out to the child and the families involved. How do you respond to the news of another abducted or molested child??
Stand up, get angry. Start demanding to your State law makers that they change and strenghten the laws in regards to crimes against children. All states in the US should have the same laws when it comes to child sexual predators, but they don't!! Do some research...start caring about our kids...they are our future!

[pottyadlady]

"Welcome Home" Ben and Shawn. You are Survivors...Continue to be strong.Lean on your family. They love you more than anyone.
God Bless you both and your families.

To Ben and Shawn's family: my prayers and thoughts are with you; be strong and have faith in the justice system. And ignore the IDIOT'S comments out there.

To the friend of Ben's who identified the vehicle surrounding Ben's disappearance: You are a HERO.WAY TO GO!

[pottyadlady]

"Welcome Home" Ben and Shawn. You are Survivors...Continue to be strong.Lean on your family. They love you more than anyone.
God Bless you both and your families.

To Ben and Shawn's family: my prayers and thoughts are with you; be strong and have faith in the justice system. And ignore the IDIOT'S comments out there.

To the friend of Ben's who identified the vehicle surrounding Ben's disappearance: You are a HERO.WAY TO GO!

[tmkgls]

To Shawn: Don't push this aside. Get treatment so that you can catch up on the childhood you lost and so you can make it as an adult. By pushing it all aside it can and will affect you later in life. Forget the media - forget the people that don't understand - forget your peers that may be cruel. Concentrate on you - the you that you were supposed to be before the monster stole you and your childhood. Keep your faith as you have said it helped you get through it all. You're parents are there for you with no condemnation and with unconditional love. Talk with them and let them help. You have great strength - use that to move forward. I pray for your healing and for you to be able to recapture the life you lost. Let yourself be a child when you want to - you deserve to have this. I also pray that the trust in people that was torn from you will one day return. You have a wonderful smile - let it shine from your eyes and your soul. God be with you and your family as you heal and grow.

[tmkgls]

To Ben: You are young and I have a feeling that Shawn helped you through your ordeal. I hope I am right as this will help you heal. Get the therapy you need and talk with your parents. They love you and will be there to help you so that your ordeal will not destroy your chance to heal. Forget what the media may want to ask you - forget what your peers may say. You may have been sent by God to rescue Shawn. I pray for your healing and commend you for your strength. Keep your big smile and let it shine from within.

[rudy654-2009]

To kimden1-
You must be one of those many people who believe that when others suffer, it's their own fault every single time. Blame the victim each and every time. In fact, you don't even have a problem with blaming a child. Do a little research about this subject before you open your mouth and embarrass yourself further.

[kimden1]

1) In defense of myself, I do work in the inner city of this large border town here on the border with Mexico. I have been a full time teacher in the public schools here and elsewhere. I volunteer in Little League, Girl and Boy Scouts, local hospitals as a volunteer, homeless shelters, humane society and the local battered women's shelter. I also am the victim of abuse by a father as a child. I do know somewhat of what I am talking about. Maybe not as much as some of you profess but I can stand my ground. Especially in spending my free time for the betterment of my community, without compensation. I hope you do not resort to name calling. These are my views. I believe I have earned the right to express them after my 6 years of military service and 2 years of foreign volunteer service.

[kimden1]

2) Now, having established some semblance of credentials here I again make the comment that where was the preparation by the parents of this child. I know from personal experience how disconnected many of the parents are from their children. They simply will not accept responsibility for what their children are doing or where they will end up. It is easier for them to blame the teacher or school district than to really take the time to raise their child. Try to ask them to come in for a parent-teacher conference, to help their child's Little League ball team, to work with the Girl or Boy Scout troop and there is no time. But they can certainly have the nice, spacious house and the nice cars. Point to be learned here is that if having the nicer, physical, temporal things in life take precident over working in such a way as too have enough time to adequately raise your child, than you really have no one to blame but yourself. No, along with the abductor, the parents are to blame here for not adequately preparing their son for situations like this. For instilling in him some semblance of self worth, even at 11, to want and to need to escape. To say anything else to me just invites more of this same sense of one not being able to be in charge of one's own life.

[kimden1]

3) But you know...I fear the worst for this post...I will be the one who will be criticized, mocked and rebuffed. And sorrily, that is probably the greater problem that this issue raises.....how people are so programmed to think like a pack and not look at other points of view...no, I suspect I will be ridiculed and mocked for these seemingly calloused views. Sadly, I will be surprised to see even one who shows a semblance of agreement to this post.

[Renegade.Rivers]

Leave it up to Oprah Winfrey to ask the questions no one really wants to know. It seems funny to me that none of this was every even brought up till his parents were on national TV, and that they think it happened, but don't really know. What a way to sensationalize a story. Moreover, no thought was seemingly given of how this might affect Shawn. I can't help but wonder how was this child's family life was before his whole ordeal started. Something surely may have not been right there, for this child to have never run for help. Could it have been possible that Shawn was being physically abused, prior to his abduction, by his parents; which made him wonder if he wasn't just as well off with Devlin, as he would be at home?

With what I have seen, and with his parents willingness to go on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and say all that they did, it makes me wonder just how concerned these parents really are and were with Shawn's welfare. Something just isn't right here yet.

[cjlemmon3]

To Kimden1; Get over yourself, its not about you. To those that have (justly) requested the media to leave the boys alone and respect their privacy, please direct your pleas instead to the boys parents, who are doing everyhting they can to ensure that every talk show, news program, tabloid and camera gets their interview. Is their priority really being on T.V. and if you mild that media-cow long enough maybe a movie, or at least a miniseries out of it.
TO SHAWN'S PARENTS; PLEASE STOP TALKING TO THE CAMERA AND GET THE HELP NEEDED FOR THE BOY.

[trusnbr1]

it is truly a blessing that these boys were returned to their families. that sicko creep that took them should rot in hell. i do believe that the best thing this creep could do for all of us is just end his own sorry life that way my tax money doesnt have to pay for him to live and eat free.

[vancouverboo]

cjlemmon,

It takes 2 to Tango. The Parents and The Media are in bed together on this one. The one couldn't play this up without the other.
The boy is the victim, but the parents have to have their 15 minutes of fame and the media smells a great story to fill in that dead space between commercials.
The professional mental health experts and the police both advised them to be quiet and leave the boy alone, but the bottom feeders just couldn't do that.

[survivoralso]

I'm shaking writing this.

To those of you who aren't being supportive of these boys, shame on you and you have no idea what you are talking about unless you yourselves were abducted! I survived an abduction and rape that lasted days, many years ago. I also had "opportunity" to escape but was too terrified to do so and I was not a young child.

Ben and Shawn know this ... after time this will seem a nightmare that never happened ... you won't forget, but it will fade away, you will go on to live happy, loving, fun lives ... cling to your families ... take care of each other, you all have gone through so much, know that you are strong and that this has been the worst life will throw at you and you have survived it, everything else in life will be surmountable. When things got tough for me, I always said, I've already had worse, I'll get through this, what didn't kill me made me stronger.

I am a parent now and I sometimes fear that what happened to me and to you could also happend to my kids, but I put that fear aside and I love them and keep them as safe as possible and let them be as free as possible. Take care, my heart is with you and from one survivor to another you will get through this. I'm praying for you and your families.

With love, Survivor also.

[brismom1]

This story reminds me so much of the Steven Stayner case. How sad it is that people like this Devlin thing (I hesitate to call him a person) have the right to walk around and take children for their own perverse reasons, whether it was sexual or not. Both Shawn and Ben have lived an ordeal that not many of us can understand or even begin to comprehend. We cannot condemn the parents for their children being taken. It was not the parents' fault. It was the work of a sick individual and no one else. I can however condemn Pam Akers for saying on national tv that they believe Shawn was molested. He's going to have a hard enough time adjusting to life again and to have his mother and step-father tell the world that he was molested will only make it harder on him. There are a lot of "mean" people out there in the world who will get a kick out of bringing up painful memories for Shawn and/or Ben just to get a laugh. I also condemn Oprah for asking such a question. SHAME ON HER - SHAME SHAME SHAME. It is NOT HER BUSINESS nor is it anyone else%u2019s (not even the parents if they're gonna go on Ophra and tell the world). There are certain things we don't ask. There are certain things we don't tell everyone. Where is the compassion these days? To ask a question like that is just to satisfy morbid curiosity and for a parent to actually answer that kind of question is just wrong.

[brismom1]

To Shawn's parents: Get the help for your son that he will most definitely need. Get yourself off of the TV and out of the spotlight and love your son like you have never loved him before. This is not about you. IT'S ABOUT SHAWN AND BEN. Good grief people - What are you thinking?
To Oprah - I will NEVER watch you again.
I really don't know who's worse here - Shawn's parents or the tv personalities. I don't see interview after interview with Ben's parents. I guess because he was only gone 4 days and not 4 years he doesn't count. Or maybe his parents have decided that the welfare of their son is more important than meeting the Today show cast and Oprah.
To Ben and Shawn - All my love and hopes for you and your lives in the future. There are many people behind you and will help you without hesitation. Don't hesitate to turn to these people for help when you need it. You are truly the heroes here and I hope you always remember that you are so worth it. You both are so strong and brave. I am a grown woman and I honestly don't think I could go through what you did for even 1 day without breaking. My son is 16 and he is in awe of you both. You are truly an inspiration to the young and old - May the heavens keep you both safe and secure from here on out.

[cbgb31]

He's a terrorist, send him to Gitmo.

[dkquaid]

Oprah did nothing wrong and all of you who said something about Oprah need to have your head examined! Oprah cares about people and would do anything for them! And to say the parents of the two boys are to blame for what happened to them is wrong! No one in this world is perfect! Those two boys are safe and that's what matters! Everyone is happy you are both are back where you belong!

[mdc76082]

gullible!

[atexasrn]

Although I do not agree with what the family is doing by going with the media and exploiting this childs ordeal, I would be interested to hear their logic in doing so. Maybe they just wanted to let the world know "Hey, we got our baby back". Although their reasons might make alot of sense to them now, when the adrenaline rush of getting him back wears off, they will probably feel guilty enough as it is without comments like kimden1's being thrown in their faces. I have kids. I spend time with my kids. I love and nurture my kids. My kids live with both of their parents, happily married, no drugs or alcohol, or abuse in the home. I know that they have a high self worth, but, kimden1, please tell me HOW to prepare them for something like that to happen! I have talked to my kids, tried to inform them on things to try and do if they ever found themselves in a kidnapping situation. Although I have told my kids that threats of harm towards their family is a scare technique used by kidnappers, I fear that my 11 year old daughter would still be too scared to try and run away if she thought that it would mean that her family would be killed. I dont know how Kimden1 has prepared her kids, but I would be very greatful to have this information..

[susanhelit]

This family, during the last four and a half years, has not only been searching for their son, but advocating for, and helping search for other missing children.

Having their son back, and having a chance to get this message out to any other missing children who may now be captive, any other neighbors who have noticed a kid looks like a missing kid but are staying silent - how could they ever just pass that up?

How could anyone pass that up, knowing exactly how much pain the parents of these missing children are in, how much pain the children are in.

[tucker701]

It is amazing to me that everyone can rush to such judgements on the family of this boy, when most of us haven't walked in their shoes. Maybe they are talking to the media to get it over with so that the media isn't camped outside their house for the next year. Or, maybe they are trying to provide an awareness to other parents about the safety of children. I am sure that the boy is being given needed help and counseling. Why not be sympathetic towards a family that has lived through a hell that most of us will never have to experience?

[susanhelit]

Shawn's parents are getting him the help he needs - notice that they're going off of the advice of experts? You really think they learned nothing in the last 4 years of helping the families of other missing children?

I just love how people who have no experience, no real-life information, and have just read a news story are suddenly experts in what you do to help a missing child come back home - yeah, we all know so much more than the parents who raised the child, and have had 4 years of preparing and hoping for this day. Our 10 minutes of reading qualifies us!

[friendlyguy3]

Common Sense, anyone who disagrees with me is simply wrong. Of course Oprah Winfrey did wrong by having that family on the show and exploting their story. Wow Oprah, do you think the child wants the whole world to know that his parents think he was sexually abused. I wonder how many kids will make fun of him for that. After suffering years of hell is some sicko, he now faces years of humiliation.

[tucker701]

Any person in their right mind knows that this boy was probably abused by some means, we didn't need to hear it from Oprah or his family. Do you seriously think that people wouldn't have come to that conclusion if Oprah or his family didn't say it? Also, any child that teases this boy about what he faced during his abduction has not been raised properly! Why isn't everyones anger focused on the horrible person that abducted Shawn instead of being on him and his family?

[kevzgrl]

Hey, kimden1 - you were talking about "preparedness" earlier - how the parents could have prevented this from happening. How do you "prepare" for something like this? One boy was riding his bike and one just got off the school bus - were Dad and Mom supposed to be riding along behind the bus watching over Ben? Should Shawn's parents have been hiding in the trees along the road he was riding on, watching him to make sure some sick creep didn't snatch him up? Put a skinny little 11 year old (or 13 year old, for that matter) next to a 300+ pound, over 6 foot tall man and tell me how "prepared" they could have been to prevent this? You are trying to put the blame on the victims and their families and that's almost as sick as the perpetrator of these horrible crimes against CHILDREN. I hope he rots in his jail cell (Hear that, mr defense attorney? What possible "facts" could come out to excuse this???) Preparedness, my butt!

[brismom1]

dkquaid %u2013 Re:Media - seriously think about this - how would you feel if someone came up to you after an experience like this and asked you if your child was sexually molested? I bet you would tell them to go to **. What happened to those boys is between them, the parents, the doctors (psychologists, etc.) and the police. If it does come out in the future that they were molested I hope it comes out for a just purpose and not because the media had to know. How morbid a society as a whole we've become that parents are asked if the children were "touched". 30 years ago no one would ever have even considered asking the parents of a child a question like that to get %u201CThe Quote%u201D. And I don't think the parents of a child should actually answer that kind of question. It's called RESPECT for the victim. I was a little naive in thinking that Oprah would have more compassion than that as an abuse victim herself. How many years did it take her to admit it? Why on earth would she ever think that this boy wants the world to know about this only a week after he's been found? I can only imagine it's even more detrimental for a boy to go through something like this. Give the boys some room to get used to life again. Give them a sense of security. Let them deal with the experience (from being taken, kept, found and everything in between that may have happened to them) their own way. Let them talk about it in their own time. They will let the media know when they are strong enough.

[asor1-2009]

Oprah is just one of the jerks now, nothing sacred to her. She is publicity hungry and has BAD manners. Leave him and his family alone!

[mamma61]

I honestly think it's about time, the media, the public, and the "Good Old" USA, leave these people alone!!! As well as the 13 yr old, Ben, and his family. Just let these boys deal with this in their own ways, with the love of their families, when the time is right- officials will find out what they need to know. Put yourselves in their parents shoes,(I hope you never have to)- But for now, PLEASE, give them the peace they deserve. Thank You...

[yoopermom]

I read somewhere that Devlin's family released a statement. I am just wondering where were they? How did he explin the sudden appearance of Shawn?

Someone wrote that they didn't see Ben's family running to the media. Actually they were also on Oprahs show.

I am also upset that Oprah felt the need to ask about sexual abuse. She should have been more sensative toward Shawn. SHe has proven that anything goes when it comes to ratings!!! She has lost my respect for her.

[missut2]

You would think that the police and FBI investigators would request that the boys and their families NOT make all these TV appearances. Could these appearances compromise the charges and conviction of Low-life Devlin?

I guess nothing is sacred or private any more...for some reason, the public thinks they have a "right" to know all the details.

[alena11-2009]

With 800 000 kids missing in USA it is about time that media%u2019s attention turned to victims. We hear a lot how the rights of the killers and predators are protected. Who is going to speak for the victims? Let%u2019s face it, not too many of them left alive and have courage to fight for their rights and rights of the others. And honestly, we are not the ones who dedicated past several years in searching a missing kid or trying to survive in captivity terrorized by 300 pounds men with a gun. Shawn was protecting parents he loved from being killed and tried to survive. Let%u2019s not be Hippocrates, most of us adults know that people who prey on our children do not kidnap them to play %u201Cchess and checkers%u201D. Shawn was silent long enough. There is no shame for this young man in telling in what was done to him. People who kidnapping and continuously raping children should be ashamed as well as people who are silently letting it happen and ignoring the fact that 800 000 children are still missing in USA. There are a lot of concerns about possibility of other kids being cruel to Shawn in a future. I think we should have a bit more face in our children, not all of them are cruel. One of them helped to crack a case. And let's not forget that it is parent%u2019s responsibility to explain and help their child to understand that it could happen to any of them.

[alena11-2009]

By drawing public%u2019s attention, Shawn and his parents trying to make a difference and make sure that something like this will never happen to another child, maybe even yours. Law makers really should think of a harsher punishment without parole for anybody who abuses or takes life from a child. And I mean anybody, it can be a local priest, parent itself or any other sick predator. With media expose Shawn and his parents will have a great shot to make it happen.
By the way with horrifying statistics like 800 000 kids are missing I am surprised that we do not have national %u201CThe Real Red Pages%u201D book distributed to every door and organization. I think missing kids deserve to have a better chance to be rescued and parents to be aware of the predators. I would put missing child photo along with the progressed photo. Also all predators and serial killers should be listed in this book and organized by state with the updated information on when they are getting on parole what their last and current residence and current occupation. And if any of them will try to scream that this is a violation of their privacy, let%u2019s remind them that they lost this right and privilege by hearting a Person. The luckiest children who survived are going to deal with their hurt for the rest of the life. I think it is only fare that people who hurt them should never go free of consequences. Unfortunately many of them still do.

[susanhelit]

Private???!!! Did someone say this is private? This is a crime - there's no reason to keep quiet, other than to avoid shaming the criminal! Shawn has nothing to be ashamed of, and this wasn't making love - it was rape, and that is nothing 'private'! This is not a part of his private life, this is a crime!

[silvershark3]

It is really sad what this world is doing to these kids. Getting a news story on the air first before anyone else? These kids parents are to blame also. Elizabeth Smarts parents were smart. They took her home, shut the door and kept her out of the lime light so she could heal. This is what these boy's parents should be doing also. They will be scarred forever and having them shoved into the media will just make it worse. The parents are going to live to regret it.

[dpbanana]

To those who mention the 800,000 (where do you get this number from?) children, I'd like to point out that most missing children are missing in custodial cases. That is, they have been kidnapped by a non-custodial parent, not a random *** predator. Certainly being taken away from one parent by another is traumatic, but cannot be compared to being kidnapped by a stranger and sexually abused.

[dpbanana]

To those who mention the 800,000 (where do you get this number from?) children, I'd like to point out that most missing children are missing in custodial cases. That is, they have been kidnapped by a non-custodial parent, not a random *** predator. Certainly being taken away from one parent by another is traumatic, but cannot be compared to being kidnapped by a stranger and sexually abused.

[jp13377]

I think it's a good thing for Shawn and his parents to go public - this kid needs to see the world is supporting him and how what happened to him was not his fault. This kid needs to know he's loved and supported by society. His parents are troopers - especially Shawn's father who is a STEPFATHER. That man is a role model for all stepfathers! Everyone is so quick to judge these people - back off and just be supportive. I hope Oprah gave these families some of her millions for appearing on her show - they could use it.

[msvicky1]

I wonder about a child/teenager who is held "hostage" by someone for that long of a time who is allowed to have friends, left alone, all the things I read about in People and yet he never tried to run? I may be missing the point, but he was old enough to understand his peril and the need to flee but when he had chances he didn't. I just don't get it - my first thought would be to run - just to take the chance that I would get away - and with the numerous chances he had, he stayed. Sounds like a kid who didn't want to go home - and I know that just raised someones ire but it makes one take time to think.

[karen091866]

It's so sad to see all the postings alluding to this child not taking every opportunity to run or escape.
An 11 year old child is still very much an innocent being. The reports so far indicate that a gun was involved in his abduction. ---That would put a bit of fear into most people.
Who knows what type of threats he was subjected to--perhaps even viscious lies about potential harm coming to his family.

After being overpowered physically, mentally and emotionally, what resources does the average child have left to work with? Be honest with yourself (especially those posting that have children)---The average child doesn't have the skills to work their way out of something like this.

My prayers go out to his boy and the other child kidnapped by this freak. He'll get what he deserves once he's assigned an inmate ID number in the prison system--and he deserves everything that will be delivered.

[susanhelit]

For those who think an 11 year old boy should be able to hold up to threats and torture enough to be ready to escape - let's just go through a few of the very common things these children go through that you think they should be able to stand up to:

Abducted at gunpoint (known fact)
Tortured, sleep deprivation (statement by his parents)
Threats of killing not only him, but his parents, anyone he knows, anyone he sees (some statements, plus standard operating protocol for these perverts).
A particularly sick potential in this case, of seeing the disposal of his predecessor.
Lies, mind games, fake chances to escape or send a note given to test the boy.


This would break most adults, let alone an 11 year old child!

[mdc76082]

Ok. Ok. Sit down with your 11 year old and ask them if someone took them, held them from mom & dad, threatened them with grave danger to them or mom & dad, gave them the freedom to do whatever they pleased, kept them out of school, what actions would they take? Proud to say mine said, 911, run like heck to the nearest neighbor, kick, scratch, claw, scream, whatever it took to get back home. Now, question yourselves as parents. Are you really "teaching" your kids to be self sufficient or our you teaching them that mommy & daddy will do it all for you. As far as child innocence these days, well, that would be a nice thing, but now adays consider it a thing of the past. they growup just as fast as technology & the media can throw iPods, B Spears & P Hilton at them. Please. Stop with self-righteous pity, "I'm shaking s I'm writing this..." You of people should be the "backbones" when it comes to child abuse. You should be the momentum force driving the crusade in defeating this horrible, horrible tragedy. Not sitting here posting for self pity. I would have thought you folks to be the pillars of support, not trembling and cowarding in some corner of your dim lit apartment. Do something about it!

[neverhome2]

Shawn is a HERO! The fact that he survived at the hands of his kidnapper is a miracle. Unfortunately our judicial system protects these abusers. How many repeat offenders are still free. As an abused child(my abuser still lives the life of luxury) I hope he can overcome this trauma. Shawn remember it is not your fault. You were just a child when you were abducted. You are also a survivor and you have nothing to be ashamed of. I hope Devlin rots in jail or worse..

[survivoralso]

mdc76082 - I'll take the bait. Yes, I also teach my kids how to avoid danger, how to run from it and how to fight to get away. I hope they never need to, but even if it meant taking away some of their innocence to teach them how to be safe, that is what I do. As to "self-righteous pity" ... I AM doing my part by letting them know that they are not alone, it has happened to someone else and they have gotten through it, that can be very powerful to get over feeling like a victim. I do shake when I think of this because it brings up memories, if you see that as weakness then you're clueless. I do advocate for missing and abused kids and women in my area, what do you do? If nobody ever came forward to discuss their own abuse, would anybody ever be prosecuted?

You may be surprised to learn that I don't agree with letting the boys appear on TV, they are minors and should be protected from the publicity. I do think their stories, minus the details, should be told. Abused people of all ages are shamed into silence. Sharing their story can make them feel like less of a victim and can help others who haven't come forward.

The important thing is getting the creeps off the streets and protecting kids from this ever happening, and being their to support and encourage and yes, even telling them your own story to help them feel that they are no longer alone.