So I'm watching the news right now, and all I can think about is: What was Shawn Hornbeck doing the past 5 years? Did the kidnapper do anthing funny to him? Does he want to go back to his family? What is their relationship, since they've been living together so long now? Did Shawn ever see his parents on the news? Did he ever try to escape? Why did the kidnapper take Ben Ownby? Did he get bored with Shawn?
2007-01-12 14:24:42 · 11 answers · asked by Sirius Black 5 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Thank you, everyone, for answering. I agree with most everybody that this man should rot in Hell and he is a creep. I just feel terrible about Shawn not being able to go to school or have friends and I wish I knew what kind of living conditions he had. If that was him posting on his family's site, he must have atleast had net access...hmm. Terrible, what those pervy shmucks do *shakes head* I wish they would die by papercut method. Just give him papercuts everwhere, even on his...you know what. XD --Sirius
2007-01-14 07:02:17 · update #1
I have some thoughts on that. I believe that Shawn was probably brainwashed into thinking that his parents did not want him. The abductor has a criminal history as a sex offender. I think because of the brainwashing Shawn did not try to escape, maybe out of fear, maybe out of loyalty. I think the guy probably took Ben because Shawn was getting too old. Maybe Shawn was fighting back, or maybe this guy likes younger kids. Ben does not look 13. He is very small like a 10 or 11 year old. Whatever the case is, the guy deserves the worst!!
2007-01-12 16:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by jonahsmom 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I live in the area between Beaufort and Richwoods Mo. The communities are all small and we are about fifty miles from St. Louis. It seems that when a problem rises,everyone pulls together around here. We also have an amazing sheriff with
outstanding deputies. The highway patrolmen are all known
on a first name basis. No one wants to have a problem like
the Owenby and Akers families have had but if you do, this is
where you want to live. Needless to say! We are glad we have
our missing children back. It really doesn't matter what Shawn has been doing or what ta tics were used to control a young innocent mind. It worked! It won't change the fact he was abducted. I pray now for the healing of Shawn. Shawn still needs our prayers. Thank You Lord Jesus ! The Power of Prayer brings Answered Prayers Every Time.
2007-01-13 17:05:29 · answer #2 · answered by jessiegirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was on my way home from work when I heard on the radio that Ben Ownby and another boy missing for years had been found. They didn't say a name but the only boy I thought of was Shawn Hornbeck. I was like no way that has to be him. So I hurried up on home and turned on the news and it was Shawn. I remember when he went missing in October of 2002. I live in Illinois and have lived in Missouri too. I always check on the case and always thought about it. They searched for so long and so hard. They thought maybe he fell into an old coal mine. And then they found his bike. I am very glad that both were found alive and that it is so amazing that Shawn was found after all these years alive and well. It is hard to believe that no one thought that he might look like Shawn and that they never asked about him. I'm sure Michael Devlin has more of a history than we know and maybe there had been more boys. When he kidnapped Ben he probably thought he was younger. Who knows what would have happened to Shawn if they didn't find them when they had. I think that Shawn probably didn't try to escape because kidnappers try to manipulate the person they kidnapp and for him being a child would have been really easy to do. On the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation website the people on Fox 2 news showed a blog question that said it was from Shawn Devlin and read how long are you going to look for your son? It was wrote in 2005. They didn't know if it was from Shawn trying to reach out but trying to hide it a little or if it was from someone else. It's still just really shocking. Now I'm going to be able to remember that he was found alive than to think what happened to him and will they ever find him alive or dead.
2007-01-13 12:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by JenBeth 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This case echoes that of tragic Steven Stayner and Timmy White in so many ways. There are so many questions, but at this very early stage - with little information forthcoming - answering some of your questions would be pure speculation.
I'd suggest you search for Steven's story on the Net and read up on what happened to him. He was taken by Kenneth Parnell, an evil, sadistic beast with a history of sexually abusing young boys. When Steven got too old for his sick desires, another young boy, 5-year-old Timmy White, was kidnapped. Steven didn't want the young boy to go through what he had so he took him away. Parnell served a disgusting 5 years for what he did to Steven and Timmy and even at the age of 71, he was still trying to procure young boys. He is now in prison and will die there.
I think it's fair to say that in this case, a grown man doesn't kidnap two young boys in the space of 4 years for altruistic reasons - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what his motives were...and what he probably did.
All I've been hearing and reading is 'why didn't Shawn escape or ring the police etc?' - the boy was obviously severely traumatized and I wouldn't be surprised if Stockholm Syndrome played a part here. I don't even want to imagine what he must've gone through.
The important thing is that both those young boys, particularly Shawn who was with that "kidnapper" (can't call him by the 'p' word as he hasn't been charged with those kind of offences....yet), get the counselling they'll need in order to move forward. They must not be judged by people around them in any way - they didn't ask to be kidnapped, held in captivity and lord knows what else. I hope they'll be able to come to terms with their ordeal.
And I hope Michael Devlin - and all the others like him that pollute our planet - fry in hell.
2007-01-14 05:48:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so freakin' happy that those two boys were found! I live in MO as well and have been hearing of Shawn's case for the past four years. The family has done so much to help other people with missing children and God has blessed them by returning their son. I just knew they would find Ben Ownby, but was TOTALLY blown away that they found SHAWN HORNBECK! I am so happy that for hours I have been smiling and cheering! I don't know what Shawn has done these past four years and I bet that psycho kidnapper hurt him. Child predators are lower than the scum of the earth! I bet he is so happy to see his family because he hasn't seen them in so long and now he can! HURRAY! I bet Shawn saw his parents on the news and maybe park benches, his picture is everywhere and he is found! Kidnappers take people for strange reasons. Maybe he was interested in younger boys and as Shawn got older, he kidnapped a younger child. They should put the kidnapper in prison for the rest of his miserable life! I am SO HAPPY THEY ARE OKAY!
2007-01-12 15:57:16 · answer #5 · answered by Walking Contradiction 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This so strangely reminds me of a book called "When Jeff Comes Home". It is about a boy who was abducted by a man who kept him in a house that was close to Jeff's home. After a few years, the man lets Jeff go and Jeff is reunited with his family who had not given up on their search for him. It's a heartbreaking story of how Jeff tries to go back to his normal life but is ashamed and wouldn't admit to what had happened during his abduction. I remember reading the story and crying, wondering how a person who had been hurt like that could go on to live a normal life.
I only hope that Shawn will overcome this tough experience to lead a great life. I feel so elated for him and his family that I couldn't help smiling all afternoon :) I really thank everyone who was involved in trying to find him eventhough I have no ties with Shawn and don't live anywhere near Missouri. It's just great to know that there are people who really care.
metowe.org - We have to watch out for each other.
2007-01-13 14:57:34 · answer #6 · answered by donna 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since the kidnapper was a sexual offender, one can only imagine what he did with the boys. The news said Shawn visited his parents "Shawn Hornbeck foundation" website, and posted a message under the name Shawn Delven.
2007-01-12 15:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey Sirus, I asked the question ...
Why didn't Shawn Hornbeck try to escape from Michael Devlin?
and I starting to think that Michael Devlin told Shawn that he was his uncle and that his family had been killed and he was his new "caretaker"
2007-01-13 18:16:57 · answer #8 · answered by fordfan444 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is very complicated. I am interested to know how he kept the two boys captive without them trying to run away. It's absolutely so weird.
I am thrilled that they are safe and back to their families.
2007-01-13 11:38:29 · answer #9 · answered by GucciGirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't even want to think about it
2007-01-14 06:06:35 · answer #10 · answered by Donnya Jett 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋