Shawn Hornbeck's family looks to step out of spotlight

belleville.com ^ | 1/24/07

[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.

[BonneBlue]

"land of faires and puppy dog tails" in your neighborhood where there are no sex offenders... "

I honestly don't know of a neighborhood that has no sex offenders.

[MEGoody]

give it a rest already!

I've dismissed her. She can rant and rave now if she likes. No point in wasting time on a loon.

You are dismissed as well. Have a nice day.

[BonneBlue]

"They give the defense more ammo to request a moved trial because idiots like the Hornbecks ruin whatever chances they have locally for a trial, costing taxpayers more dollars."

In Washington county where the crime took place, because the county is so small, there is automatically a change of venue so the "idiot" Hornbecks would have nothing to do with that part of it, nor the taxpayers.

[Halls]

really, if I am dismissed why did you respond to me? Doesn't sound like I have been dismissed when you didn't ignore!

[soccermom]

First of all, "picking on the parents" is what they asked for-- what did they actually think that going on television with oprah would bring them to her 'status'= a narcissistic, fat, phobe who doesn't even know how a telephone works (look up the episode where she was "shocked that the telephone lines were wires") No, they did not "ask for" anything. They had a terrible thing happen to them. Then a miracle happened and they wanted to share their joy and their insights with others. You just don't "get it". It isn't about "status"! It isn't about Oprah! It isn't even about what you think of Oprah. It is about reaching the greatest number of people with their message. Got it????

Secondly, you're parading on here pushing your opinion on everyone else without even taking a minute to see the other side-- I guess that puts you on her level too.. That is complete and utter hogwash. I've said, repeatedly, that it is certainly legitimate to question whether or not it was wise to appear on Oprah. And you would know that, if you actually read the post to which your reply is referring. But, I suspect you are actually responding to a post I made to someone else......

And no-- Shawn's parents are not serving society for 2 reasons: 1. The police already have the suspect in custody, therefore its not as though his face needs to be plastered around because they are looking for him; neither does Shawn's.2. They give the defense more ammo to request a moved trial because idiots like the Hornbecks ruin whatever chances they have locally for a trial, costing taxpayers more dollars. But you wouldn't notice that, right? because you write off all your charities to the "land of faires and puppy dog tails" in your neighborhood where there are no sex offenders... You really are short-sighted, aren't you? This isn't just about their case. It is about all abducted children. When they make appearances, they refer parents to resources for other missing children, how to protect their children etc. Furthermore, if they're appearing on national shows, then a change of venue isn't really going to help, is it? Devlin is going to need a change of venue, regardless of whether or not the Akers make appearances. The story has had wall to wall coverage and leaks. Besides, the Akers are legally advised on what they may and may not discuss. Sheesh!

So stop belittling people and focus on the issues. LOL! I am the one focusing on the issue. You seem to think the issue is Oprah! (As a matter of fact, everything you've posted sounds exactly like "mad as he$$", who claimed he would no longer respond. Isn't that an amazing coincidence!?!) Taking a stand against people who would be so petty as to attack the family of kidnapped boy, is not "belittling". I will proudly do so. The only time I dress down a poster is when he first opens himself up to it. If you, er, I mean mad-as-he$$, doesn't want to be "belittled", he shouldn't invite it by belittling the intelligence of others, while illustrating his own ignorance.

[soccermom]

"I honestly don't know of a neighborhood that has no sex offenders." I honestly don't know of a neighborhood that has "faires". Do ya think maybe that is the British word for fairs? ;-)

[BonneBlue]

Wow your recent posts got petty and pretty cruel. It is very sad you could not bring yourself to apologize. Must we be so cruel to one another? A person can politely agree to disagree and forego the rest.

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.

If you are a "christian" then you would be familiar with all the reasons why a small apology would have went a long way.

Have a nice day.

[miss marmelstein]

From the beginning, I thought the kid was probably complicit in Devlin's crimes. What better way to keep the kid quiet and terrified of the authorities? I wonder how this kid is going to be rehabilitated...

[hershey]

Sounds like a very good idea.

[soccermom]

What on earth are you talking about? I was very civil to you. You made a snide comment to DVD Mom about needing to be on meds. She pointed that out and I joked about it. If you didn't appreciate me saying you could prescribe her with meds, maybe you shouldn't have made the comment in the first place. I agree she may have jumped on you a bit too quickly because she has had it with some of the harsher things being said about Shawn and his family. You shouldn't have been lumped in with that.

[soccermom]

For the record, the sheriff in the case is discounting that story and calling such speculation harmful to the boys and their families. That said, I think it is certainly possible that Devlin did force Hornbeck to help him with his crimes. But there is a difference between been coerced and being "complicit." And there is a difference between needing to be "rehabilitated" and needing to be "healed". I hope both Ben and Shawn can find healing.

[Halls]

i think the response from the Sheriff shows the story of Shawn helping in the kidnap is not all that accurate.

I believe he likely was forced to help, but I think Shawn was likely driving for Devil and Devil did the dirty work!

[soccermom]

We really don't know what happened, but the sheriff has said that kind of speculation is hurtful to both boys and their families. It is sickening to see people like ishabibble take glee in such speculation and spread it as fact. The sheriff in the investigation has asked for such speculation to stop.

[MEGoody]

Wow your recent posts got petty and pretty cruel.

Awww, did your widdle fwend get her widdle feewings hurt and you feel you need to jump in and help her because your widdle fwend can dish it out but can't take it?

Sweetheart, it's over. I've dismissed her. You are dismssed as well.

[BonneBlue]

LOL!