FNC: Missing Missouri Teen Found ALIVE (w/ another boy who went missing in 2002!)

Fox News ^ | 1-12-07

[cgk]

No link yet...

[Howlin]

Thank you! Working on it right now.

[fatima]

What a story.Thank God they were found.

[Howlin]

I thought of that, too!

[toldyou]

I wonder if he'll join John Walsh and Marc Klaas in their efforts to protect children. Seems from what I've seen of him that he'd be good at that. (I love Marc Klaas!)

[MOgirl]

Hello,

It is indeed a miracle. Because Shawn's parents were so determined to never give up, his story was never far away from our minds. His picture is still all over this area, so we (the residents of St. Louis) never forgot him. It is a testament to the bravery of his parents that when the news broke that Shawn had been found, we all knew immediately who he was.

MOgirl

[Howlin]

I thought he had his own foundation going, am I wrong?

[Peach]

OT: 2:30 press conference scheduled in North Carolina regarding Nifong. I'll start a live thread.

[spectre]

Howlin, I have read they aren't that well off. The step-dad does have some "dental" issues and the cost of a replacement tooth could be out of reach for them. It's only a guess..(he could just be afraid of dentists..LOL)..

sw

[Howlin]

k

[txrangerette]

Good for you. Thanks, Peach.

[DaughterofEve]

Some psychiatrist or psychologist on MSNBC was just KNOCKING (albeit gently) Shawn's family for bringing him so soon into the public eye/news conference. The interviewer pointed out it was Shawn's choice. The shrink still didn't think it was in Shawn's best interest after being basically imprisoned for 4 years...was more in favor of temporary "quarantine" -- compared it to astronauts coming back from space!

I think if I was held captive by a sick beast for 4 years, it might be NICE to make a decision on my own ASAP! It's not like they even asked him to speak. What do you all think?

[SuziQ]

The perp stopped his car, and asked her for "directions". He grabbed her and pulled her RIGHT INTO the car thru the open window.

I always told my kids that typical adults would NOT ask children for directions and if anyone called to them from a car doing so, to ignore them and get out of there as fast as possible.

[toldyou]

I wasn't aware of it, but as MOgirl says:

"Because Shawn's parents were so determined to never give up, his story was never far away from our minds. His picture is still all over this area, so we (the residents of St. Louis) never forgot him."

What I'm saying is that since it's now a nationwide story, perhaps Craig Aikers will join people like John Walsh and Marc Klaas and make it a personal mission to protect children by being a spokesman on the issue.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Please see my post above. Thank you!

[ican'tbelieveit]

http://www.shawnhornbeckfoundation.com/

I believe the Hornbeck's stepped in to help the Ownby family immediately.

[MOgirl]

Hello,

Perhaps he will, he has shown a dedication and degree of love for this boy that is hard to believe. I doubt that I could have kept going, kept hope alive all these years. But he and his family did.

MOgirl

[over3Owithabrain]

Has it been discussed how this perv was able to keep the boy at home for years without him running off? Must have been some brainwashing as well as buggery.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I thought the press conference was a VERY healthy thing. Shawn is there smiling, wearing his step-father's own sweatshirt. I agree with Mark Klaas in that Craig Akers hasn't missed a beat here. There was nothing UNhealthy about that press conference. Craig Akers, seemingly a simple man, handled that media setting like a master. Shawn is rapidly learning that he has a wide circle and now, ever-widening circle, of people who truly care about him.

Without Akers speaking up and directly asking the press and thus the PUBLIC to give them some space, couldn't you have seen the press camping out at Akers' place of work, the Akers/Hornbeck home, etc. etc. etc. until the press got "the story" they wanted?

By doing this so soon, the curiosity factor - the immediate one anyway (most people just want to see how Shawn looks now - is he healthy-looking, etc.) - is now removed.... and hopefully everyone most closely involved here - esp. Shawn and his family - can move on without worrying if the press will be camping out at their doorstep.

[Halls]

i think it is no one's business judging these parents. If they chose to let Shawn come to the press conference, than that is their business and no one else's! I personally didn't have a problem with it.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I think if I was held captive by a sick beast for 4 years, it might be NICE to make a decision on my own ASAP!

Shawn Hornbeck (soon to be Shawn Akers) did just that. In the press conference, Craig mentioned that they (the parents) asked Shawn what he wanted to do, and like other normal teenage boys said "He wanted to go to McDonalds".... at which point, Shawn put his head down on the table - probably out of a bit of embarrassment. These are ALL normal and healthy things for them to be doing right about now.