need to add title here

Kidnapped

September 27, 2008 3:06 PM

Kidnap victim Shawn Hornbeck speaks out for the first time with details about his incredible story of survival in an exclusive interview with "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Troy Roberts.

Kidnapped
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by PREDATOR_THE_BAND August 16, 2012 3:07 PM EDT
Shawn,

We are so sorry your childhood was interrupted in such a terrible way. We wish you and your family well and may your days ahead be filled with joy. Please let us know if there is anything we could do for you. Our thoughts are with you.


sincerely,

Predator

www.predatortheband.com
www.myspace.com/predatorheavymetal
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by Amy210 July 22, 2012 11:40 AM EDT
Shawn, thank you for showing unbelievable bravery and strength in sharing your story with us. Despite your fear of not being understood, you have shown fearlessness in allowing us a glimpse into the unimaginable horror you experienced. You already show wisdom and character beyond your years, and I pray that as the years progress you will only become more confident and sure of yourself. Unfortunately, there will always be people who are close-minded and judgmental, who will not attempt to understand. Know that this is a weakness in them and not a weakness in you. You know that you did the best you could to survive at the time, and I hope you have peace in that and live your life without regret. God doesn't make mistakes. You have went through this ordeal for a reason, and you have already touched countless lives and will no doubt continue to do so. GOD BLESS YOU!
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by steviedaffodil May 8, 2012 10:17 AM EDT
To the people who don't/can't understand why Shawn didn't try and escape or tell someone when he was older, think back to when you were 11 years old. You get kidnapped and tied to a bed for a month and have god knows what happen to you. Then you make a deal with the devil to stay alive. You are a kid and at that age adults are the ones with the power and the ones who make all the decisions. You BELIEVE what they tell you. The horrors that this boy went through became normal to him. Routine. After a while the shame, embarrassment, the thought of having to tell anyone what he had been through and going back to normal life would have felt alien to him. THIS was his normal life. He was allowed outside and to have friends probably in exchange for his silence or under the threat of violence towards his family. He is smiling in the photos taken of him because he is HAPPY. Don't you think you would be if you were out of that monsters clutches for even a second? For four days after Devlin took the other boy he still didn't run even though he knew he was going to die because William was his replacement. Shawn was too old for him and this situation was always going to happen. But why didn't he run even though he knew his life was in danger again? I suspect another deal had been made. And not one that I would ever post here.
People keep posting about what they would do as adults in the same situation but he was not an adult. He was an 11 year old boy. An 11 year old boy who managed to convince a monster like Devlin not to kill him. Shawn is a survivor in every sense of the word.
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by Nimueh100 October 30, 2011 9:35 AM EDT
I remember this case vividly...
I'm Dutch but was living in Washington County at the time
Shawn disappeared from his home..
I remember his search and the news coveridge about this..
My son was Shawn's age and i was scared something would happen
to him because Shawn looked a lot like my son at the time...
In 2004 my kids and I moved back to Holland, but i always kept
up with the Shawn Hornbeck case and was so releaved when i learned that
Shawn was finally found a live and back with his family..
In 2004 i divorced my Ex who was incarcerated at Potosi correctional center and moved back to Holland, i never went back to Missouri...
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by 333ttt July 17, 2011 9:19 PM EDT
shawn, Words cannot express how much you have touched me. I have just watched your episode from 2009. I hope this gets to you. Your greatest fear of not being understood is not necessary. We dont understand because we have never been through what you have been through. Those who judge you for not telling are the people I dont understand. They have never walked in your shoes. God has a plan for you and I know you will reach the stars. There is alot people can learn from you. Next time I need to persevere, I know thinking of you will get me through. YOU ARE AWESOME.
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by Lawwwatch May 20, 2011 2:03 AM EDT
Devlin will be looking over his shoulder for all of the hundreds of life sentences he received. He was stabbed in prison over a dozen times a few weeks ago (May 10, 2011) by another inmate. The wounds were not life-threatening but now he will know how Shawn and Ben felt. See the story here: http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-michael-devlin-stabbed-in-prison-20110510,0,7037730.story
Or Google Michael Devlin.
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by momof2cuties November 3, 2010 5:01 PM EDT
Shawn,
I'm a mother of two boys and didn't want to watch this story but I'm glad I did. I remember reading about you and often wondered how you were doing. You are truly an amazing young man. I admire your strength and wisdom (way beyond your years). I am truly happy you are back together with your family. My heart breaks thinking about all those years you were kept from them, freedom. I am sorry no one was able to help you all those years. It's a great relief to know you realize none of what happened was your fault. You are an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others. Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to reading about all your great accomplishments.
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by anarchykat23 October 26, 2010 6:27 PM EDT
I don't get why he didn't try to run or tell someone either. Especially when he got older. Guess if someone was not making me go to school and handed me video games & new toys & bicycles & allowed me to have friends, pizza parlor trips and sleep overs when I wanted, I would probably stay as well.
The pictures the next door neighbor showed of him, he was smiling ear to ear in every one. Someone who is mentally abused normally doesn't smile like that.
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by malcarada August 29, 2010 12:19 AM EDT
What this man did was wrong but he deserves a second chance, he never killed anyone, the sentence was too severe, I have seen killers getting a much lower sentence, this is totally hypocritical.
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by Stella1801 August 9, 2010 8:24 AM EDT
i just feel really sad... what they have been through ... they r only kids... and those monsters/ sick ppl i wonder really why they keep them alive for what!!!!!! even if he stayed all his life n Prison it wont change anything, ANIMALS dont get a lesson, am glad really that they r ALIVE they R SO LUCKY and they were protected by Great God... but still his parents must SHOOT this monster to death .... bcz such an animal dont deserve 2 b alive!!! THOSE SICK PPL R THE DEVILS ON EARTH THEY HAVE NO HEART NOTHING THEY R Disgusting!!!!!!!!
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