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."

[A_perfect_lady]

I would not be surprised if there was a boy there when Shawn showed up 4 years ago. If there was and something happened to the other boy and Shawn was witness to it, by God, you had better believe he would not second guess a threat.

Yep. And for all we know, Shawn was only days away from becoming Ben's warning.

[keats5]

I posted this under Editorials, but will also put a link here. Michael Regan wrote this article explaining why he kept silent about his sexual abuse for years.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19031

[DvdMom]

How many lost kids have you searched for ?

Did you lose your leg searching for a missing kid like's Shawn Dad Did ?

Did you DEPLETE All Your Life's Savings Helping To Search For kIDNAPPED Children ?

What are your thoughts on the the 300 POUND SKUMBAG Kidnapper who had kiddie porn on his computer ?

Do you contribute to the ACLU ??????

[keats5]

"If there was and something happened to the other boy and Shawn was witness to it, by God, you had better believe he would not second guess a threat. They should have cadaver dogs checking Devlin's property."

Devlin not only owned undeveloped property, he also worked at a Funeral Home, in addition to the Pizzeria.

[OldFriend]

Now we know that all O'Reilly's bloviating about wanting tough penalties for child molesters is all about ratings and nothing at all about protecting children.

The man is so far beyond the bounds of decency, there are no words.

[OldFriend]

I notice not a word of condemnation of Devlin in your post.

[OldFriend]

An eleven year old child stolen from his family.

Taken away. Held in captivity. Most likely unaware of even where he was.

And yet the condemnation of this family goes on.

Makes me ashamed to read some of these posts.

[OldFriend]

In my meanest moment I could not think of blaming this child or his parents on any level.

Even to contemplate blaming anyone other than the monster who stole this child is unthinkable.

[xsmommy]

i am frankly astounded at the number of people who cannot fathom why this boy may have felt unable to leave or contact his parents/authorities. just one example, i have absolutely no reason to believe it is the case, but it is a viable explanation as to why he might have felt that way. if a child comes from a home that is vocally homophobic, the kid was aware of of his family's feelings toward gays and here is a pedophile who kidnaps him, abuses him, documents it and then convinces the kid that his parents won't want any part of him after he has GONE GAY etc. any number of psychological machinations could account for a child being manipulated to the point of immobility.

[xsmommy]

in fact, i have a far more difficult time fathoming the freepers who question why the boy didn't run, than i do fathoming reasons why the boy felt he couldn't.

[ReignOfError]

Why, becuase he publicly stated what a lot of peopel wondered privately (ie: not on a nat'l tv or radio show)?

That's reason enough. It's one thing to wonder privately, another to raise questions on a blog or FR, and quite another to question the motives of a victimized child on the top-rated cable "news" show in the country.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I am amazed by the condemnation of the parents. Of the child. Makes my head spin.

It has to be a control issue. I cannot control the existence of these monsters or relate to them or the experience of anyone coming into contact with them. But what about the parents. I can relate to the parents, so I will critique their performance.

[najida]

What he'll have is a long term version of PTSD.

[OldFriend]

This family has suffered the unthinkable. That they didn't just shut down their child find operation and say, well, my child is home so it's over, is to be commended.

They have cared about other children from the start. They will continue to care. That Shawn will be involved in this is going to be the best therapy.

They are a loving family, I respect them.

[ReignOfError]

I have lost all respect for his 'parents' after they showcased him on Oprah, less than a week after his discovery!

How many people look at pictures of missing kids and pay scant attention, because they assume the kids will never be recovered? I'll admit to it if no one else will. How many of those people might pay more attention because they hear about Shawn, or Elizabeth Smart, or other stories with a happy (or at least happier than expected) ending?

I don't know what kind of conversations went on between Shawn, his pshrink(s), his parents, the police, prosecutors, Oprah and her producers, and I'm not inclined to reach a snap judgment based on my own notions of decorum.

[najida]

They kid may have felt guilty, that he was 'bad' and deserved the abuse, that on one would want him etc etc etc....

Kids in these situations don't have hope, they don't trust anyone.

[xsmommy]

all of that makes perfect sense to me, so when others are perplexed by it, i am astounded at their lack of empathy.

[BonneBlue]

Try educating yourself. Obviously you have never been mentally and sexually abused. You judge a boy that was taken against his will at the age of 11 by a psycho, from the comfort of your easy chair. Shame on you.

[keats5]

Sadly, I'm not surprised by the people's reaction. We live in a fallen world. Sinful people try to find real or imagined sins in other people to make themselves look less guilty. Thus, victims, like Shawn and his parents, get even more victimized. (Note, the parents are indeed victims. Just ask any parent of a missing child.)

Still, Shawn and his family don't need this right now. It's enough that we all say, "Welcome home," to Shawn and "Congratulations," to the folks. If someday Shawn wants to teach us the lessons he learned, so we could teach our own kids, I'd love to hear them.

[najida]

I know a building full of kids who have stories what would make a grown man vomit. Mild compaired to Shawns. What this kid did was perfectly understandable for the circumstances.

I guess some folks live in a wonderful safe world. They are very blessed.