Kidnapped
September 28, 2008 2:03 PM
"Season Premiere In Full:" 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' Troy Roberts.
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I continue to be simply amazed at not only your rescue, but your candor in speaking out to Troy Roberts of CBS! I watched, along with many members of Operation Find A Child website, the 48 hours program on your story.
While I still remember, as do thousands, that evening when we all heard of your rescue, that is so much in the past already. Today is the present, tomorrow is the future, YOUR future.
A few weeks back, I drove a rental truck loaded with my sister's belongings, from Gilbert AZ to Indianapolis, which took us across Missouri, and right past the roads to Richwoods and Potosi. I couldn't but help remember what I'd read, seen on the news, and that it was your home I was breezing by.
As for "understanding" what you went through, there is no way I can begin to understand that--very few truly can say that. However, as for my belief in your credibility, that is something I consider a given--YOU are the one who experienced the unimaginable, you are the one who had to figure, and such a young age, how to survive, and survive you did.
And now, here we are in 2009. You are about to turn 18, become an adult, the age of majority. To use your words you spoke to Troy Roberts: "Who would have thunk it?" And this fall, you start your senior year in high school as well! I can still remember my HS years nearly 50 years ago, times of great experiences, times of bits of anxiety, times of hope and dreams for the future, as you surely are as well.
If I, at almost 65 (my birthday is just 5 days before yours) look back, I know you can look forward. And in you, I see one very tough kid, tougher than you ever thought of yourself as being going through all that, but still a toughness, a person tempered and hardened by what was done to you, which will stand you in very good stead in the years to come. We humans are very much like trees, you know. The rings of a tree show the life that tree lived, and just like that, we humans have those same "rings", each one a record of a year of our lives. We use those rings, those experiences to go forward, make our judgements as to how to proceed, how to react.
Shawn, your "rings" are not only those of years of loving, happy times, but also of the hardest of the hard times anyone can experience. Somehow, I am reassured that you are going to use those rings, those experiences, for the ultimate good of those around you, those whom you will meet as you go forward, over this next year of high school, then in college or university, and ultimately in life itself, out there in the wide, wide world you will inhabit, and I believe for the good. I truly believe that you will impact all who meet you in the most positive of ways--you have shown that you are that sort of man.
In the meantime, keep on keeping on, keep on with your winning smile, your winning attitude, for you have won the biggest. toughest fight that anyone can, you know! With whom you are, where you have been in life to this point, can you not meet, and conquer just about anything you encounter?
Would God that none of what you experienced in your captivity ever have happened. However, you are one who stands to turn those awful experiences into good, not only for yourself, but also for all who meet you, interact with you, get to know, respect and love you.
OK, that's enough from me. Now it's time for all of us to sit back, give you the space you have always deserved, and watch quietly as you go forward, and go forward you will.
My best wishes, to you and yours.
Art
I was kidnapped by a man with a huge knife in the middle of the night from a house where i was babysitting when I was 12 in California . I was driven out to an orange grove and raped repeatedly. He told me he had to kill me to keep his identity a secret. He also told me he was under the influence of drugs. I began to talk to him and convince him I wouldnt tell a soul, but that he had to take me back where he found me, because I was responsible for the lives of three little children and i was afraid the six month old was crying.
He became disoriented and lost but by seeing a familiar radio tower I was able to guide us back. As I was jumping out of the car, he suddenly changed his mind and yelled " NO, You'll tell" and grabbed for me. I slammed the door and heard a cracking sound as it met with his arm and he screamed. I ran with everything left in me and made it to the door and slammed it shut. He left as i was calling 911. The technology was more primitive then and without DNA testing, crimes often went unsolved. The man that did this to me was still running free out there and i couldnt sleep. Unfortunately,it wouldnt be long till I saw this mans face again.
You see I lived near Modesto and we had a monster trolling there. His name was Lawrence Singleton and he would go on to rape and mutilate one of his next victims.( I say "one of" because I am sure there were more attacks between mine in 1977 and Mary Vincent's in 1978)
He served only eight years in prison (8 years for chopping off Mary's arms and throwing her down an embankment & leaving her for dead, now I ask you "what kind of justice system do we have here"?? The outrage at this sentence resulted in legislation which prevents the early release of offenders who have committed a crime in which torture is used (Harrower, 1998).
He then went on to kill another woman in 1997 and died in prison of cancer December 28,2001. Good ridance!
I guess my message is that no matter what Shawn, YOU should never feel guilty..you were the victim. In telling my story I hope I conveyed that I FEEL SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!! And so should you! I like to think its all the challenges and more difficult times in our lives that define WHO we are. I found that I am much stronger than I thought i was and that I appreciate life more. I have found that I can do anything I set my mind to and I am not afraid. It's helped me go on to help other rape victims and become active in anti-violence campaigns. I have been married for 24 yrs and have a beautiful 18 year old daughter and life is a gift worth cherishing.
You will have lots of work ahead of you Shawn. I will keep you in constant prayers. I have a very good feeling about you! I sense much success in your future!!!
I'll pass on some advice my Grandfather gave me 50 yrs ago, I hope it helps you. It made all the difference in my life and I still live by it.
Never Complain. Never Explain.
As for the biking...ride it like ya stole it !!!!! LOL
Even though I've never met you, I'm proud of you for being the survivor you are. Keep it up.
What an amazing young man you are. I am overwhelmed hearing your story and seeing your remarkable attitude. I agree with you...NO one has the right to question anything you did or didn''t do. You DID do the right thing-you kept yourself alive. I admire all you and your family stand for and wish you only the very best and more! You are the kind of young man I would wish for my daughter (if I had one!) I do have a few ''motherly'' things to say, however, and that is BE CAREFUL ON THAT BIKE, CLEAN YOUR ROOM, WEAR YOUR SEATBELT AND ALWAYS KISS YOUR MOM. (My son, 23, hears that everytime I see him, and he enjoys hearing it as much as you I''m sure)
But I am most sincere in my best wishes for you in the future. Who knows what God has in store and what blessings He''s ready to bestow.
God Bless you, Shawn!
Linda
I didn''t live in St. Louis when he was missing but I was here when they found him and and I was in tears watching the news. Shawn is making amazing progress. 73 yrs for Devlin should equal ****death penalty****
After watching the show online I was once again in tears. My heart goes out to Shawn and his family.
- by dk0626 September 28, 2008 10:04 PM EDT
- What an amazing kid. He went through such horror that will be with him the rest of his life, but he still is striving to be positive. He and his family are in my heart.
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