Why are the Hornbecks so selfish and self centered?

Question

I am hearing talk that tShawn Hornbeck going on Oprah could really screw everything up for the trial and that monster Devlin might walk because of the stupid decision to put Shawn Hornbeck on Oprah. Are the HGornbecks selling out Shawn too ? surely they got reparations.

Answer 1

I don't think they are selling him out. From what I read Oprah wasn't allowed to ask certain questions - maybe because of the trial. I think they are on a whirlwind ride and are just going with it.

Answer 2

Sorry, I have to disagree with you. These people have been through so much and have done it with great generosity, and grace. They lost their son........... and for all they knew they would NEVER see him again. Until you have walked in their shoes......... you have no business judging them. They, including Shawn deserve way more than any fame or fortune that Shawn's return might bring. I am sure this is the futhest thing from their minds. They helped other's without regards to their well beings. When other kids were missing over the past few years, they were there. They set up child identification systems so that parents would have a way to ID their children if something happened to them. Do you think this is something you would do as a distraught parent? It would be easy to sit and be depressed over your loss and worry about your own concerns, but they helped the community and other parents of lost children. I applaud their efforts and after watching the Oprah show, I don't think any beans were spilled. Devlin has a long sentence ahead of him.

Answer 3

Having watched the show today. I think it was tastefully done. If she asked a question Shawn didn't want to answer he would tell her so and she would move on. I can also understand why they went on there. It seemed kind of like "let's get this over with and move on now." There are a lot of "sesational" talk shows they could have went on but I really think Oprah handled the interview great. I liked how the interview was in a home setting and not with an audience. Oprah respected their wishes and didn't go over the boundaries with Shawn. Oprah even stated that with respect to the FBI that the Ownbys and Akers families would not be in the same room because of the ongoing investigations. She didn't seem to ask any questions that would hamper the upcoming trials.

You can just see the love there is in their family. They are so happy to have him home. I'm sure they are still in shock some what that their nightmare is over. Remember it has only been a week.

I think now everyone should just leave Shawn and Ben's families alone and let them get on with their lives the best they can. The families have a hard enough road ahead of them without having totally strangers like us judge their choices. I could see how it would be presumed they were "selling him out" if they had went to every talk show out there but its only been the 1 show.

I just Thank God they have Shawn home and have the chance to get reaccquainted with him again and aren't having to plan a funeral or still not know what happened to him.

Answer 4

The reason that Shawn's parents gave for appearing on the Oprah show was that they wanted to show that parents of missing children should never give up hope. That has been a recurring theme in all of their statements. They claim that neither they nor their foundation got any money for the appearance on the Oprah show. Shawn's step-father has devoted his life to recovering missing children. He lost his job; used his savings to fund his foundation; and even lost his leg during a 6-week search for a missing child. I don't think Shawn's parents are selfish or self-centered. I am sure that Shawn made his own decision as to whether he wanted to appear, and I am sure that they got the advise of prosecutors as to what could be asked or answered. I don't necessarily agree that it was a good idea to expose Shawn to the publicity, but it was their decision, and I am sure that their motives were pure.

Answer 5

First, they are the Akers'. Shawn's real dad died. Craig is adopting him and was trying to before this happened. I'm sure that the authorities advised them of what to say and what not to say. These are not rich people by any means. And, they have done a lot of good here in Missouri trying to find missing children. Maybe they did get a lot of money, who knows? But, let's look at it this way. Shawn hasn't been to school in over 4 years and he's 15 now. What lies ahead for him? And, if you knew Craig, he has walked many a mile to find lost/missing children. And, he intends to continue. He has helped Missouri in more ways than you have heard. Self centered? Or, will this case finally bring attention to child abductions and the punishment the creeps that do them get. Oprah has promised her support to put the accused behind bars and keep them behind bars. That's what is needed in this country now. In St. Louis, we have followed this case from day #1. Our hearts have bled for this family. Few have dry eyes. But yet, when some one else went through the same thing that they went through, Craig and Pam were there for them. They searched for other missing children. They cried for missing children. So, if someone as big as Oprah can promise her support, let's get behind her. Please don't judge them.

Answer 6

Everyon has sympathy for the Hornbecks, but what their son has been through is far far worse. Does Oprah need another billion?
I hope that thousands abandon watching and buying her magazine. She is a sick sensationalist. What did the parents have to gain. How much did they receive for going on there. I think they are sick, sick, sick. This poor boy will probably never be right again and be able to live a normal live. This has only exacerbated it by televising to the world that he was sexually abused. Like the man said this was not a platonic situation the man is a pedophile and what do pedophiles do? Sick Oprah.

Answer 7

I admire the Hornbecks for doing so much to try to find their son for so many years. I applaud that family wholeheartedly. I hope that somehow there is some type of justice and that entire family can achieve some level of peace and safety. Shawn is really a hero for surviving all of that living hell he must have been put through.

Answer 8

I doubt the DA will allow a television show to do that. Maybe the Hornbecks wanted to get the sexual abuse discussion out of the way now, so they can all get on with their lives.

Having said that, I think Oprah is an opportunistic pig.

Answer 9

maybe after all this time of being in the limelight about their son missing they do not want to give it up and go back to a normal everyday existence. i get a funny feeling about them, it was just NOT NORMAL to do what they did and also OPRAH should NOT have put the kid on tv. I have lost a lot of respect for Oprah I see her NOW as just another media whore who will do ANYTHING for ratings and fame, I am not watching her ever again I am really P O 'd at her she has no sensitivity or common sense about putting a kid who has just gone thru hell for 4 years but she builds a school for children in Africa she makes me sick! such an obvious phony maybe if the kid was black she would have cared but I doubt it

Answer 10

The Hornbecks selfish and self centered. Where is your brain? These people have been to hell and back and so has their child. Think before you talk, your mouth is going to get you in trouble.