What if Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby weren't molested by Michael Devlin?

Question

Just speculating here... but what if the boys were run-aways? What if Michael Devlin was doing what he thought was right, even though it was wrong (criminal). We are so quick to go on a witch hunt and want to crucify Michael Devlin and call him a sexual preditor. But what if he didn't molest these boys?? Might we be as damaging to their character for the rest of their lives, by assuming they were molested?

What are the facts? The reports of Michael Devlin being a former child molester are FALSE... but it appears that 90% of the people posting messages don't know that. What are the facts?

The boys didn't appear to be held against their will. The appear to be well adjusted, which is uncommon for individuals who were abused or suffering from stalkholmes syndrome. Devlin has no prior record of criminal activity.

Now here's the question no one wants to ask... "What if the boys were being abused by their families and escaped to Devlin's house?"

Answer 1

I can't speak as to what may or may not have happened to these boys (but am thankful that they are now home with their families), but I CAN say that the Michael Devlin registered in the state of Utah as a sex offender is NOT the same Michael Devlin implicated in this case.

Answer 2

How do you know the reports of Devlin being a child molester are FALSE? Where are your facts? Have you ever heard of the Stockholm Syndrome? Look it up. Maybe then you will understand why. Seems your missing the point. Devlin does indeed have a criminal past and registered in Utah as a sexual abuser. I'll answer your last question. There is no evidence of abuse in the family that we are aware of, either of them. Don't go spreading rumors without facts to back them up. All I'm saying is, look at Ben, he was gone for 4 days, does he look scared to go home? Shawn just looks over his shoulder a lot, scared and it shows. Who really knows what Devlin said to that child over the last 4 plus years. Are you a friend of Devlins? I'm just glad they are now home, and if there was abuse at home, that will come out soon. Frankly I don't think so.

Answer 3

They weren’t runaways. Even if he didn’t molest them he kidnapped them. I live in st. Louis in fact I was in the Kirkwood school district from 2nd grade through high school. The FBI who talked to both boys said that Shawn stayed because Delvin threaten to kill him and his entire family. The police said when they found Ben his first words were “Are you going to take me home?” Dosent seem like the question someone would ask if they ran away

Had they been run aways then he [Delvin] should have reported it to the Police.

What you also have to understand is Delvin had Shawn for 4 years and 3 months. However I very much doubt Shawn had the freedom to come and go as he pleased right away. It might have been months or even over a year before Delvin trusted that he wouldn’t escape. Ben was only there for 4 days I doubt he had any freedom at all in just 4 days. He most likely was in the apartment the entire 4 days, Delvin certainly didn’t let him go wandering around when his picture was being flashed all over the media at the time.

As far as the Utah case that was not this Mike Delvin , prior to this his biggest crime was a speeding ticket. I heard that on the radio

Answer 4

You have to be kidding about the boys families, right? FACT: Michael Devlin admitted to taking Ben Ownby, so why would he say this if Ben as you say, escaped to Devlin's house? Why would Shawn have prayed nightly and crossed himself (as he stated on the Oprah show) for his family to find him if he ran away?? As for the boys appearing not to be held against their will, were you in the apartment with them, did you have contact with them?? I think they were so damn happy to be found that they just wanted to see familiar faces.

We may never know what actually happened to Shawn over the past 4 years or to Ben during his 4 day ordeal, and that is fine respect their privacy and repsect the fact that they may never want the world to know, but one thing is true, the families of Shawn and Ben had their prayers answered last week.

Answer 5

Well, from what I've seen, Michael Devlin is a pedophile. I mean, the cops did find child porn on his computer. You're right, though. Who knows? We might after either Shawn or Ben starts talking about what happened to them.

Answer 6

I was thinking the same as you, but they just showed Shawn's grandmother on Fox 2 news here in St. Louis, and he, Shawn has began to talk a little here and there and he said he would only get to sleep about 45 minutes at a time. That is a known brain washing scheme. I learned that in college. It is used instead of drugs. It keeps you delirious and out of it. How would Shawn come up with that himself. I feel bad about thinking they were runaways now. F***** up thing is, I know Mike Devlin. I met him on 3 occassions in 1998. My boyfriend at the time worked w/ him at Imo's. Very horrific for me.

Answer 7

Devlin kidnapped two minor kids, one he kept from his family for 4 or 5 years. Even if he never touched the boys sexually, just the kidnapping itself would be traumatic to the two boys.

Answer 8

I doubt it. Someone who wants to help abused children would immediately contact DSS and report the parents. This guy was creepy and somehow convinced these kids to stay with him. Children can be easily manipulated unfortunately. He could have threatened to kill their parents if they didn't do what he said. It will all come out in the trial but innocent he is not.

Answer 9

Shawn did what he had to do to survive. All these people wondering how/why he stayed, guys! He was 11 yrs old. This sicko kidnapped a boy, a child. And Shawn did what ever he had to do, to survive. Period. He is a survivor. I am so happy for him and his family that he is home and safe, finally, safe..

Answer 10

I honestly cannot believe what I just read. Are you kidding me? I live in this area and have lived this nightmare with these parents even though I do not know them personally the entire 4 years Shawn has been missing and the four days Ben was gone. I have cried and prayed right along with them. I have felt their pain and now I feel their joy!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!