His stepdad seemed to take control of interacting with the Press from the beginning.
I'll bet the parents of the other little boy in that monster's possession are relieved the attention is not on their boy. I was shocked too that the parents took the boy on "O". I thought the press conf where the step dad went on and on and the poor boy sitting there mortified was a bit much too. I wondered about that day - you would assume they would keep out of sight and get that poor boy help which unfortunately he will never reoover from this. The only answer to these pediphiles is to put them down. No rehab or treatment "cures" them. To me is worse than murder because this kid will be so screwed up you don't know what the future holds for him and will he in turn hurt or molest someone. The sentence for pediphiles should be death.
While their hearts might be in the right place it's pretty obvious that what they're doing is ultimately misguided. I hesitate to bash them; from what I heard, both have been extensively involved in search & rescue efforts for kidnapped & missing children ever since their son was taken, Craig Akers especially. I wonder if a chance to advocate for his newfound mission in life --- a good mission, let it be said --- overcame his better judgment with regard to his son, who needs not so much advocacy as a sheltering home and a father.
Maybe the exploitation they allowed on Oprah for a few minutes will allow the procurement of the intense help Shawn will need to normalize over the next few years.
Wow, I said the exact same thing to my daughter after we watched the show!! It was as if he had been programmed by the step-father to say certain things. I also thought the bit about him crossing himself every night and the fact that they are "good christians" was also a little weird. I've had 15 year old kids and they definitely don't say these things readily.