Parents think kidnapped son was molested(Parents already on Oprah)

MiamiHerald.com ^ | 01/17/2007 | CHERYL WITTENAUER

[devane617]

Parents already on Oprah. I told you folks, this is a weird story. There is, IMHO, much more to come out.

[Paloma_55]

What, Springer already booked?

[Michael.SF.]

I agree. Why prolong this, why not get on with their lives in private. They have enough problems w/o compounding the issues for the poor kid.

[Dog Gone]

The sexual angle has been missing entirely from the wire stories. You know it's there.

[Hildy]

If you remember correctly, the same argument was made when Elizabeth Smart was found. People were angry that the family was toting her around on TV. I remember what Ed Smart said. He stated that so many people were involved in trying to rescue Elizabeth. The Smart's used the media to find her. He said it was his way to thank them. You can't ask people to get involved in your life, and then when the good stuff comes, deprive them of the payback...which is seeing everyone happy again. That I can understand.

Although the Shawn Hornbeck kidnapping was not a big media event like the Smart case...the people who were involved with trying to find Shawn were dedicated to that end for over four years. They used the media as best they could. They were on the Montel show. I remember actually getting an email about it...and I live in Arizona. It was one of those grassroots internet things. The Hornbeck's started a foundation, and they have dedicated their lives to it. I believe they went on TV for alot of reasons. One was to thank the people who helped them never give up and to provide hope for the many families who still have loved ones missing.

Trying to get media attention to abet their pain has been their mission for a long time. It makes sense to me that they would use it to share their happiness as well.

It's just the world we live in. Just because YOU wouldn't do it, doesn't mean these people are bad for doing it.

[Hildy]

If you remember correctly, the same argument was made when Elizabeth Smart was found. People were angry that the family was toting her around on TV. I remember what Ed Smart said. He stated that so many people were involved in trying to rescue Elizabeth. The Smart's used the media to find her. He said it was his way to thank them. You can't ask people to get involved in your life, and then when the good stuff comes, deprive them of the payback...which is seeing everyone happy again. That I can understand.

Although the Shawn Hornbeck kidnapping was not a big media event like the Smart case...the people who were involved with trying to find Shawn were dedicated to that end for over four years. They used the media as best they could. They were on the Montel show. I remember actually getting an email about it...and I live in Arizona. It was one of those grassroots internet things. The Hornbeck's started a foundation, and they have dedicated their lives to it. I believe they went on TV for alot of reasons. One was to thank the people who helped them never give up and to provide hope for the many families who still have loved ones missing.

Trying to get media attention to abet their pain has been their mission for a long time. It makes sense to me that they would use it to share their happiness as well.

It's just the world we live in. Just because YOU wouldn't do it, doesn't mean these people are bad for doing it.

[nmh]

Likes to "collect kids"?

Right ... and DO what TO them?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ?

This is a DUH alert:

"ST. LOUIS - The parents of a kidnapped Missouri boy said Thursday they believe their son was molested during the four years he was missing, ..."

It's rather OBVIOUS that is what went on. I don't know why they even have to ask the question. He was "collected" for the purpose of being sexually ,molested whenever it suited Devlin.

[nmh]

"What, Springer already booked?"

That'll probably be next week.

This is awful how they are parading these kids, VICTIMS, around.

[RegulatorCountry]

I would be more surprised if there was nothing sexual going on there, than if there was.

Has anyone seen a photo of Owenby's sister? She really has a similar "look," to the fifteen year old ... the black hair, the piercings, the dark clothes.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I was flamed by "all knowing" Freepers who said I was way off when I said neither of these kids should have been anywhere Near a camera yet! Well, the Maroons who are "experts' including the tv media "brains" decided this was just ducky!

No one thinks its a big deal that a child who may have been molested and tortured should not only be identified, but also paraded in front of cameras. And of course, no therapy or just time to regroup with his family....just have him be interviewed right away.

And the parents...OHHH...they are big stars on Oprah now!

Treating the boys this way ....this is PORNOGRAPHIC! and all for TV ratings! How disgusting! and now the parents cash in!

I am furious about this, but more so that NO ONE thinks there is anything wrong with this!

[A Citizen Reporter]

There might be a lot more to come. They might find that these two boys weren't Devlin's only victims.

[haywoodwebb]

They just announced on FOX that the "parents" are allowing interviews tomorrow morning but they have a "disclaimer" with a list of acceptable questions that the networks have to sign to get an interview. If they ask a question not on the list the network will have to give $100,000.00 to the Shawn Hornbeck "foundation."

As each day passes the more I think these people are probably a big factor in what happended to their son. I'll withold judgement for now but I'm beginning to suspect that they are sickos.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

sick parents already cashing in on their kids kidnapping

[nmh]

"It's just the world we live in. Just because YOU wouldn't do it, doesn't mean these people are bad for doing it."

I understand what you are saying ... but do you really think this is BEST for SHAWN and BEN?

Put on the spot in front of all these strangers?

It doesn't take a mental giant to figure out that both these boys were sexually molested. God only knows if Devlin forced Shawn to partake in Ben too ... all kinds of things run through a mind ... it's clear that Shawn is VERY uncomfortable and feeling some shame about this.

Yes, Shawn and Ben love their parents and they love their kids ... but sometimes love is blind and I don't think they see the ADDITIONAL damage they are doing to their kids with all this sensationalizing.

I don't know of a single straight guy who'd be comfortable sitting there when anyone with half a brain knows he was repeatedly raped for over four years. Give the boys a break and let them have some privacy, feel safe and come to terms with this horrific experience. Thank the people that helped them. Love those boys and build them up again using people that KNOW them and truly CARE about them rather than rating chasers who really don't care.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

The sexual angle has been missing entirely from the wire stories. You know it's there.

it doesn't NEED to be out there. That part of the ordeal surely wont help the kid down the road now will it?

[Congressman Billybob]

Other than prurient interest, why is the MSM obsessing over whether these boys were sexually molested? Of course they were molested. That's the whole reason why this piece of human garbage stalked and then kidnapped them.

The perp is a "collector." He has a "type" that he seeks. And he replaces the subject when he gets "too old." He may have murdered prior victims when they got to old to interest him.

It is unfortunate that there is no state law under which he can be executed. However, in prisons, "baby rapers" are at the very bottom of the social order, and they do not tend to live well, or long, in prison. Sometimes, justice is both rough and accurate.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Nancy's Culture of Corruption, Part II"

[nmh]

"I am furious about this, but more so that NO ONE thinks there is anything wrong with this!"

I also don't like what's going on.

Someone needs to gently talk to these misguided parents ... .

[A Citizen Reporter]

Let me take a wild guess and say that Shepherd Smith reported this.

[Neoliberalnot]

Several of us were talking as soon as the story broke that the guy was an obvious homosexual. It was just a matter of time before the embarrassed kid spoke up. This guy just circumvented going through the schools and the gay-straight alliance crowd so he could have immediate access.

[pandoraou812]

I think they ought to live the boys alone. The media should just stop and wait. Being away from your parents for so long and having tv cameras thrust in your face can't be good for the boy's mental state. I am sure he just wants to be left alone and learn to know his family again. Now that the parents thanked the media it ought to stop. Let the boy live his life and interview him later on in his life... IF he wants to.