How a Kidnapped Boy Readjusts

time.com ^ | 1/19/07 | MICHAEL LINDENBERGER/RICHWOODS

[Halls]

Shawn Hornbeck's parents say they may never know the full story as to why their son Shawn never attempted to contact them or to escape during the more than four years he lived with the man police say abducted him in 2002. But they said comments by Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly that the boy may have enjoyed living with Michael Devlin more than his family had infuriated the couple.

Shawn's stepfather, Craig Akers, said in an interview with TIME late Thursday evening. "Our son was 11 when he was abducted. A child that age can be mentally manipulated in a very short time. Hearing him say what he said absolutely infuriates me. I can hardly even express how mad it makes me to hear that."

[seekthetruth]

"Kids blame themselves, When something bad happens, they believe they deserve it, so they feel no one can love such a disgusting creature as they've become.... Toss in fear, a total inability to trust or feel safe, shame, self hatred etc and you have the cocktail for a damaged child. Please note, he was a child of 11 who is turned into a trainwreck by the time he was 15. Talk to anyone in your community who deals with kids in crisis, foster care etc. Shawn's story is mild compared to most who's hell start at birth. Doesn't matter, the damage is the same. The fact that you can't understand means you've led a very blessed life. Feel comforted by that."

Everything you said is so very true! I have worked with children for many years and know it is true. Adults who can not understand how easily children can be terrified and controled in order to survive just need to think about the two FOX employees who easily converted to Islam to have a chance to survive.

[Psycho_Bunny]

And if they are, that is their choice to make. We cannot judge unless we walk a mile in their shoes.

But I have.  And I'm here to tell you, the parents are screwing only adding to their children's problem.

 

[mware]

No problem Guenevere, the body language of the boy said an awful lot in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong this young man has been tramatized to a level hard to image. I just find it hard to fathom why they would go on national television so soon.

[DvdMom]

Shawn's Family has helped many missing children's family just like the family below

Larry King Live called me around 5:00 today with the news.
There were trying to get in touch with Shawn's parents. I watched their broadcast and they did do an interview with Chris Diamond. He's a supporter and a super guy who has been there from the beginning.

Tim Miller from Texas EquuSearch also called me with the news.

What a wonderful thing this is!

Robert
http://rachelcookesearch.org

For you to blame Shawn's family , after all the WONDERFUL things they have done for missing children's family groups infuriates Me !

[ReignOfError]

Adults who can not understand how easily children can be terrified and controled in order to survive just need to think about the two FOX employees who easily converted to Islam to have a chance to survive.

The difference is that adults, like the FNC crew, will say the right words to bluff so they can stay alive and look for an opening to escape. With children, it's easier to make them actually believe it.

[moondoggie]

I wonder how much Oprah paid them?

I haven't heard one expert on child abductions express anything but negativity towards the parents for exploiting their son so soon after his ordeal.

I think the kid will look back on that television interview one of these days and regret it.

[ReignOfError]

If you're going to blame BOR then, blame America.

You're equating O'Reilly with America? You're Bill O'Reilly, aren't you?

[moondoggie]

The Ownbys haven't invited young Ben to join them in any interviews, I notice.

Maybe they are taking the advice of the experts.....and Shawn's parents are more interested in making money????

[Halls]

actually, they didn't make any money being on Oprah and are not interested in making money on their son.

Before you go bashing Shawn's parents why not get your facts straight! Oh that's right, people like you here think you know everything!

[DvdMom]

Shawn's DAD Lost His leg searching for other families missing children !

What are your thoughts on the 300 Pound SkumBag Kidnapper With tons of child porn on his computer !

Shawn's Parents Depleted Their Lives Saving Trying To Find Shawn & Trying TO Help other Families !

Why don't you comment on Evil Devlin instead of Slandering Shawn's Family !

[Halls]

the reason why the parents did all this media stuff was to get it out of the way so that they aren't continually hounded. They are finished as of today!

http://www.shawnhornbeck.com

read their statement!

[VOA]

bump

[DvdMom]

Thanks , for the link :)

[Halls]

your welcome!

[retMD]

I think the kid will look back on that television interview one of these days and regret it.

He may regret it, or he may be proud of himself - neither of us can know. We can't know why he and his parents decided to go on Oprah, whether for bad reasons or good. Having never been in the situation, I don't feel I can judge them. Even if I had been in the situation, one person may only desire to avoid the media to start recovery, while another may find public action is their way forward. I don't think we can judge the family. We can judge the person responsible for this tragic situation - the kidnapper. Not the family or the child.

[DvdMom]

Even my husband said anyone who would BLAME an 11 year old boy is just Sick ! I told him that it's disgusting all the lies being said of Shawn's Family !

Alot Of Dummies Posing As Freepers Seem To Keep Bashing Shawn's Family , & There SEEMS to be no OUTRAGE Against the Bastard Kiddie Porn Kidnapper !

[DvdMom]

I Concur , Devlin is 100% to be BLAMED !

Devlin is a sick bastard !

[Halls]

it is pretty pathetic! I've noticed so many disgusting posts by people just bashing Shawn or his family, but nothing from them about the perp who did this horrible crime.

So typical of dummies!

[wintertime]

What hold did he have over him, or was it something else. I also want to know if the boy played any part in the recent abduction.
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In the Elizabeth Smart case the same question was asked. Why didn't she leave when she had the opportunity.

Well...Elizabeth came from a very religious family and from a community that values chastity. It is possible that she was simply ashamed by the sexual abuse that she suffered, and that the Mitchels played upon her shame to their advantage.

It is possible that this young man, being the victim of homosexual abuse, was also too ashamed to rejoin his family.

When I was eight years old, a manipulative pervert enticed me to "take a walk with him to show him directions." He held my hand, and then placed it in his pocket "to keep my hand warm". His pocket was cut out, and instead, he held my hand to his penis.

Well...I did not tell my parents about this incident for more than a year. Why not? Well....I felt that it was my fault for having talked to a stranger when my parents had told me not too. I blamed myself, and did not have the maturity to realize that this man was very experienced at manipulating children.

With Elizabeth and these kidnapped boys, unfounded, and unjustified, self-shame may have played a part in their silence.

[ReignOfError]

Well said, thank you. Being here, a few miles from where Shawn was found, this last week has been a like being on a roller-coaster. I have had words with a few people in this area who have decided that they know it all, and that Shawn was quite happy to stay with Devlin. Needless to say, I disagree.

If Devlin had simply beaten Shawn up, hit an 11-year-old boy with sticks and fists and bound him to a chair with duct tape, no one would argue that he didn't fight back hard enough or try hard enough to get away. Mental and emotional abuse is much more subtle and harder to understand, but also much more effective, and its effects much longer-lasting. A skilled pedophile can leave deeper scars than Mike Tyson on his best day.