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Shawn Hornbeck's family looks to step out of spotlight
belleville.com ^ | 1/24/07

Posted on 01/24/2007 8:24:19 AM PST by Halls

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Shawn Hornbeck's parents hope "to step out of the spotlight" to focus on their abducted son's healing now that he has returned home.

That plan to take a lower profile was announced Tuesday during a news conference, as a suburban St. Louis homebuilder detailed plans to build a new house for Shawn and his parents, Craig and Pam Akers. The home will include office space for the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation, which Shawn's parents began as a means to aid in the search for missing kids soon after Shawn disappeared in 2002.

(Excerpt) Read more at belleville.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: devlin; hornbeck; shawnhornbeck
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To: mad_as_he$$
LOL! You're the one making generalizations. You accuse me of "worshiping" Oprah, when all I did was provide you with FACTS about what she has done related to the issue of child sex abuse. You, on the other hand, choose not to address what she has done related to the issue. You choose, instead, to make irrelevant criticisms about her weight, her relationship and her salary. (There you go again with your class envy!) And then you go on to tell me that God approves of you since you can control your weight and someone actually stayed married to you! Wait, didn't you just tell me that we keep score in life by money? If that is the case, I'm guessing Oprah has you whipped, but good! And I love the way you tell me it is none of my business how many sex offenders you've taken off the streets. I'm concluding that would be NONE! The issue of this thread is sex offenders. Oprah, clearly, doesn't "abide" them. She has put her money where her mouth is --- not only in terms of putting a bounty on their heads, but in backing a measure to make it a one-strike crime. I know exactly where my kids are -- at HOME with me. I am the one thinking. I'm discussing the facts. You are letting your own emotions (hatred and envy) cloud your objectivity on this issue.
261 posted on 01/24/2007 7:34:36 PM PST by soccermom
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To: LisaMalia
I agree with you. I think I would even move if it was my son, and start a new life...But maybe it is better for them to live where they are. I don't know..... I just hope it all works out for these boys and that monster is in jail getting his arse raped repeatedly each and everyday for the rest of his life. Too bad we put these perv's in a safe part of the jail. Thats what really has me fuming. He will be protected and not be a victim. Its not justice in my eyes. He needs to feel what those boys felt. I don't care if it wrong in anyone else's eyes either. He deserves it and more. Inmates have their own form of justice and I truly hope this monster gets some.
262 posted on 01/24/2007 7:34:40 PM PST by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah and dilligaf?)
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To: soccermom

face it, he's jealous!


263 posted on 01/24/2007 7:38:18 PM PST by Halls (Please take time out to look at pictures of missing children and help get them home!)
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To: Halls

LOL! But he has told us, repeatedly that he isn't. I'm sure the fact that he has dollar signs in his handle, that he calls Oprah over-paid and that he says money is the way to keep score in life have absolutely NOTHING to do with jealousy! ;-) Talk to ya later! Goodnight.


264 posted on 01/24/2007 7:41:33 PM PST by soccermom
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To: All

After reading the first page of posts on this thread, I see that many FReepers haven't been following it much - it might help just to review some of Shawn's story so there wouldn't be so many mistaken notions:

Shawn Hornbeck/Ben Ownby

FNC: Missing Missouri Teen Found ALIVE (w/ another boy who went missing in 2002!)
Fox News ^ | 1-12-07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766736/posts

Missing 13 year old found alive in Missouri WITH another boy who went missing in '02..FOX BREAKING
Me | 1/12/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766748/posts

Boy Missing For 4 Years Found ALIVE! MO (Breaking!)
Fox 2 KTVI ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766749/posts

(Two) missing boys found alive in Missouri home
AP ^ | Jan 12, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766803/posts

Missing Boys William 'Ben' Ownby, Shawn Hornbeck Found Alive in Missouri
FOX News ^ | January 13, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767008/posts

MICHAEL DEVLIN: Suspect is called 'kind of a plain guy'
St. Louis Post Dispatch ^ | 1/13/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767016/posts

Parents rejoice after 2 Mo. boys found
Yahoo News/AP ^ | 01-13-07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767074/posts

Kidnapper of St. Louis Boys had taunted parents on Blog.
Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue ^ | 1/13/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767173/posts

Hornbeck, Owenby Families hold press conferences
St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | 1/13/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767283/posts

MICHAEL DEVLIN: Suspect is called 'kind of a plain guy'
St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | 1/13/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767287/posts

Kidnapped US boy held captive four years in plain sight
Yahoo ^ | 1/14/06
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767594/posts

Cops: Child Pornography Found on Mo. Kidnap Suspect's Computer
New York Post via FOX News ^ | January 15, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767787/posts

Uncle Says No One Is Pushing Rescued 13-Year-Old Mo. Boy to Talk About Kidnapping
AP ^ | 1/15/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767851/posts

Kidnapper told boy his parents did not want him
thisislondon.co.uk ^ | 1/15/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767883/posts

Bloggers Help Unearth Clues in Missouri Kidnapping Cases
FoxNews.com ^ | 1/15/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767987/posts

Officials are mum, move methodically to seek answers
St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | 1/15/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1768026/posts

Mo. boy apparently had computer access
The Fresno Bee ^ | January 15, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1768047/posts

Ben Ownby and family appear on 'Today' show; Captor threatened Hornbeck's family
Ben Ownby and family appear on 'Today' show | 1/16/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1768479/posts

Missouri Suspect Charged With Kidnapping Shawn Hornbeck and Armed Criminal Action
foxnews.com ^ | Wednesday, January 17, 2007 | Associated Press
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769326/posts

Parents think kidnapped son was molested(Parents already on Oprah)
MiamiHerald.com ^ | 01/17/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769811/posts

Did 3rd boy fall into web of suspect?
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | January 18, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769977/posts

SHAME ON BOY'S FOLKS AND OPRAH (Kidnapped boy Shawn Hornbeck on Oprah Winfrey Show)
nypost.com ^ | January 19, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770257/posts

How a Kidnapped Boy Readjusts
time.com ^ | 1/19/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770338/posts

The Reason Why
Onlin Human Events ^ | Jan 19, 2007 | Michael Reagan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770349/posts

Task force will probe Devlin's past
kmov.com ^ | 1/19/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1770545/posts
......
Shawn reported bike stolen in 2003
STL today.com ^ | 1/20/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770681/posts

Crime: Living With Evil
msnbc.msn.com ^ | January 29,2007 issue
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770973/posts

VICTIM'S FATHER SERVED TIME AS A PERV
NY Post ^ | January 21, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1771101/posts

Kidnap suspect tells paper of a 'happy' four years
CNN.com ^ | 01/21/2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1771267/posts

Report: Devlin Too Ashamed to Call His Parents
foxnews.com ^ | Sunday, January 21, 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1771386/posts

Devlin's Lawyers Want Him Moved To Different Jail
myfoxstl.com ^ | 1/21/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1771393/posts
.....
Devlin to plead not guilty in Hornbeck kidnapping
belleville.com/mld/belleville/ ^ | 1/23/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1772397/posts

Authorities say Devlin had help in Ownby kidnapping
kmov.com ^ | 1/23/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1772509/posts

Shawn Hornbeck's family looks to step out of spotlight
belleville.com ^ | 1/24/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1772893/posts

Hornbeck as kidnapper? Sheriff decries TV report
stltoday.com ^ | 1/25/07
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1772945/posts


265 posted on 01/24/2007 7:48:33 PM PST by Rte66
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To: soccermom

Good grief. I went to put in some keywords for indexing and do you know that someone has "blingbling" and "loot" as the keywords for this story?!?

Unfrickingbelievable.


266 posted on 01/24/2007 7:51:31 PM PST by Rte66
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To: Rte66

pathetic! All Shawn's parents wanted was for him to come home, not make money on him! So sad!


267 posted on 01/24/2007 8:01:01 PM PST by Halls (Please take time out to look at pictures of missing children and help get them home!)
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To: mel

When a mistake is big enough, none other matters.


268 posted on 01/24/2007 9:32:28 PM PST by Psycho_Bunny
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To: LisaMalia

I agree with you...I dont think that kid should have been paraded on Oprah....he has a lot of hard times to get over what he has been through.

As for the soccermom, Bonnebelle, dvdmom attack brigade, I don't know what their deal is...they must all watch Greta every night for the wrap up and chat the next day about it.


269 posted on 01/24/2007 9:55:26 PM PST by BurbankKarl
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To: Halls

Yea! Found out on another thread that I could use the abuse button on keywords, so I did - and those two are gone! Good deal.


270 posted on 01/24/2007 10:32:02 PM PST by Rte66
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To: Rte66

Nothing surprises me any more. I'm going to add a few words myself........


271 posted on 01/25/2007 3:58:32 AM PST by soccermom
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To: Rte66

Actually, since you had those words removed, I'll leave it alone.


272 posted on 01/25/2007 4:00:24 AM PST by soccermom
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To: BurbankKarl
Gee, Burbank, I can't imagine what my "deal" would be. We have a couple that has gone through agony for 4+ years searching for their son. They exhausted their savings and retirements, searching for him. Craig Akers gave up a good-paying job as a software engineer to devote attention to the search for his son and other kids. In the process of searching for another kid, he ignores his own health concerns and winds up losing a leg. After all that, a miracle happens and their son is found. Oprah Winfrey wants to interview them about this miraculous story -- FOR NO MONEY --- and you accuse them of making a "cash call" because a benevolent company wants to give them a house. That is my deal, Karl! And, for the record, I rarely watch "On the Record". The last time I saw Greta is when she was on BOR's show and he made a fool on himself suggesting the boy enjoyed life as a presumed sex slave to a monster!
273 posted on 01/25/2007 4:09:42 AM PST by soccermom
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To: BonneBlue

again , i repeat . why would any loving parent drag there 15 year son on to Oprah after he had been held captive for fours year and had been sexual abused so he could relive the whole confusion , embarrassment , and trauma on national TV . He was e exploited again but this time by the national media ? Its beyond disgusting.


274 posted on 01/25/2007 4:31:00 AM PST by BurtSB (the price of freedom is eternal vigilance)
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To: BurtSB

I don't know. Like I said as an understanding human being with compassion how would we react in the same situation. Just cut them some slack. It may prove it was a mistake or it may not. Going on Oprah is the least of the damage. This child lived with a monster for 4 yrs and who knows what went on. That is where the destruction lies. I understand your feelings. I have some myself, Personally I believe that the last 4 yrs the media has been their friend. If you watched the press conference the step dad just kept thanking the media over and over again. Perhaps they felt that the media was still their friends but obviously they are not. They will turn on you like a dime. Some of Oprahs questioning bothered me a great deal. But instead of going on and on about it, pray for them and him. It is the least we can do to help not futher victimize this child. And keep in mind he was only in 5th grade when taken. May we use this as a lesson to us, to perhaps be better parents ourselves. None of us are perfect and none of us have made the perfect decisions regarding our children. I have regrets as do all people. We would not be human if we did not have regrets. I have two grown children and one young one still at home. I feel my youngest one gets the better parenting because I have learned from the mistakes I made with the older 2. At the same time I have never been in the position of Shawns parents. Last night I looked at my son as he was sleeping and I said, thank you God that he is in his own bed and I did not have to look at an empty one for 4yrs.


275 posted on 01/25/2007 5:35:04 AM PST by BonneBlue
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To: BurbankKarl

Sorry, I do not watch Greta. I am much too busy watching basketball in the evenings. You obviously have not been reading my posts. I have not attacked anyone. You seem to be projecting your own doing onto others.


276 posted on 01/25/2007 5:53:02 AM PST by BonneBlue
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To: BurbankKarl

In fact I do not recall having a dialog with you. Unless you have more than one identity on here.


277 posted on 01/25/2007 5:57:09 AM PST by BonneBlue
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To: BurtSB

Disgusting , Yes !

It is Disgusting that a freeper would blame Shawn's parents after Shawn's Dad Lost his own leg helping to search for a missing child in Canada

With your Comments Towards Shawn's Family , I Can Clearly See The Mob Mentality That wanted Jesus Christ to be killed for NO GOOD REASON !

If Shawns parents weren't Loving GOOD Folks that wouldn't have depleted all their money searching for lost children !

At least Oprah's Show put 2 Child Molsters off the streets !

What have YOU done to help missing children ???????

I Think you can figure out WHO I Think Is DISGUSTING !


278 posted on 01/25/2007 1:02:10 PM PST by DvdMom (Impeach Nifong -)
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To: BurtSB

Your Comments Below Are Lies , & I Hope the Horbeck's Sue You For Slander !


279 posted on 01/25/2007 1:03:15 PM PST by DvdMom (Impeach Nifong -)
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To: org.whodat

They never recieved any money for going on Oprah

I shudder to think what you think about the 300+ Pound Child Molster Kidnapper !


280 posted on 01/25/2007 1:07:47 PM PST by DvdMom (Impeach Nifong -)
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