Was Shawn Hornbeck Happier With Michael Devlin?

Question

Our St. Louis Post Dispatch ran an article today about Michael Devlin.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/69AAD38806C5DDBC862572700022CD5D?OpenDocument

In the article they talk about Shawn's abductor's (Michael Devlin) childhood. But what kicks me is the part when they talk about a period when Michael Devlin was staying with his parents while recovering from diabetes surgery. Who was watching Shawn?

Before you respond, please click and read article part that has heading of "Diabetes and foot pain". Things are coming out locally about this situation that isn't make the national news. This is an example. Did Shawn reach the point where he didn't want to be found?

Answer 1

There is allot of facts spread all over the place and I've read most all of them. However when you put them together, with a bit of deductive reasoning, this is how I feel this whole thing went down.

Shawn meets Devlin online through a role playing game and they develop a friendship. During this passive communication, Shawn, a bit lonely, a bit of a rebel, becomes comfortable and emotionally attracted to Devlin. A friendship develops.

As a naïve young boy, Shawn's attraction to Devlin grows stronger. Shawn feels like he can relate to Devlin, he understands him. They develop a trust. They both get emotionally closer, and closer. In some twisted way, it becomes a sort of a bizarre love relationship. Their feelings grow stronger. Shawn probably feels on top of the world with all of this attention from his new, online friend. Being a lonely man, Devlin knows exactly what he wants, and his plan is working. Devlin finally persuades Shawn that living together would be cool. Devlin tells him the only way to do this would be to run away forever. Maybe Shawn disliked his home life and he wanted to get away from it.

Finally the day arrives. October 6, 2002. They both make plans to meet. By this time, Shawn's emotions are so deep you couldn't pry him away with a crowbar. Shawn spends the next 4.5 years living with a man who he is now emotionally attached to, being showered with affection, attention and gifts. They live together at South Holmes Avenue apartments in Kirkwood, Missouri. As the years progress, Shawn's past life becomes more of a distant memory. The longer he stays in this twisted relationship, the harder it is for Shawn to step outside of his emotions, see the reality of it, and leave. That is one reason why he never escapes. The other reason is because Shawn doesn't really doesn't want leave.

In January of 2003, Devlin is bedridden from complications of diabetes and spends the next three months recuperating at his parents house. Shawn is living with Devlin for about two months by now, and they both felt comfortable with Shawn staying at the apartment while Devlin recovered at his parents house. There was no way Shawn could visit Devlin because they had to keep their relationship a secret. Neighbors would see Shawn coming and going and hear him playing music loud during the day.

Shortly into their new found relationship, Devlin buys Shawn a very expensive, brand new, Diamondback BMX bike. Neighbors saw him frequently riding it around the neighborhood. One day, Shawn leaves the bike outside their apartment. Six months into their relationship his bike is stolen. Shawn, very distraught about loosing his bike, calls the police to file a report and they come out to the apartment. Shawn shows no remorse, sadness, fear, or nervousness that would be typical of a terrified boy held captive by an abusive man. Shawn makes no attempt to tell the police anything. The cops take the report and leave. Obviously, Shawn is more concerned about his bike than he is about contacting family or going home. Shawn wants to stay hidden.

While living at the apartment, Shawn makes friends with a neighbor and they hang out in the apartment together. They both laugh and joke around about how similar Shawn looks to the missing boy seen on TV known as Shawn Hornbeck. Is Shawn nervous? Nope. A bit arrogant? Oh Yes. Shawn is free to go and do as he pleases, while Devlin goes to work to bring home the money to support their relationship.

While Devlin is working, a flood of middle-school students come into the pizza shop. They make a mess, getting the floor dirty and emptying napkin dispensers. That makes Devlin upset recalls his boss. "It's not like he was looking forward to little kids coming in." Perhaps Devlin's preoccupation with Shawn was out of loneliness not something sinister.

Back at the apartment, Shawn doesn't have to go to school, has no rules. Just freedom. One day, Shawn decides to get a earring and lip ring and Devlin pays for it. I'm sure Devlin gave him a complement or two.

By this time, Shawn is maturing and he starts to doubt his decisions and feelings and he hooks up with a girl. On December 1st, 2005, three years into his relationship with Devlin, Shawn begins to miss his mom and dad and decides to write a poem on his families website, He looses interest and never follows through.

Fast forward...

Shawn is now turning 15, he's getting older, no longer a young little boy. Devlin becomes less attracted to Shawn because he's getting older. Shawn maybe is becoming less attached to Devlin.

For whatever reason, they both plan on taking in a "younger" boy. Shawn agrees, partly because he still has emotions connected with Devlin, and partly because Shawn knows there would now be a younger boy around. In some strange way, maybe Devlin's pedophile tendencies wore off on Shawn -- Maybe it was encouraged by a mental, predisposition from his biological father. (who, by the way, is a convicted sex offender charged with sodomy). Child porn was found on Devlin's computer. For 4 1/2 years I doubt he kept that a secret from Shawn. Who downloaded it? Shawn was left alone in the apartment, with access to the computer. Curious boys will do curious things.

Sometime later, Devlin and Shawn discuss their plan to snatch Ben. Maybe they both knew Ben from online gaming that they played for many hours together. Maybe they saw a picture of Ben on his online profile and knew where he lived? Ben was 13, but looked much, much younger. In any event, the day arrives and they both know their roles. Devlin gets in the drivers seat and Shawn prepares for the abduction. A gun, and duct tape are ready. Devlin drives his truck up to Ben. Shawn gets out, grabs young Ben and pulls him into the car, pinning him to the floor. They duck tape him and Devlin drives back to their lair -- The apartment.

Now Shawn is in-charge of keeping Ben under control and watching over him. Shawn perhaps feels a little bit of empowerment. Devlin goes to work while Shawn and Ben stay home. Shawn and Devlin now have a younger companion. What strange things happen in the seclusion of that apartment will probably never be discovered. Where does Shawn sleep at night? I doubt it was on the floor or sofa. Their relationship was not platonic -- there was sex involved. One thing is for certain, Shawn, doesn't escape with Ben. Instead, Shawn decides to stay there.

The cops get a tip about a truck used in the abduction of Ben. They see the truck parked outside Devlin's apartment. They knock on his apartment door. Nervous, Devlin refuses to let the police in. They become suspicious, and they force their entry.

In the shuffling madness, a chill runs up and down Shawn and Devlins spine as they realize their secret, twisted relationship for almost half a decade has been busted. Terror grips them instantly because they're also harboring a kidnaped boy. There is an erie pause as young Ben looks up at the police and says:

"Are you going to take me home?"

Shawn and Ben are escorted out, while Devlin is handcuffed and taken away.

Nervous, scared and not knowing how to explain his life for 4 1/2 years, Shawn fabricates a story that he was abducted by gunpoint, terrified, sexually abused, and held captive for almost half a decade. Although Shawn wasn't held against his will. He was well fed, clothed, given gifts and free to come and go as he pleased. However In sympathy, the media agrees with Shawn's story of abduction and abuse. Specialists crawl out of the wood work to give proof of brainwashing and other types of mumbo-jumbo.

Based on the mere fact that Shawn never left for 4.5 years with many chances to leave or contact the police and his family makes his story very weak. However the media surge and pictures of Devlin's large, burley stature and somber expression helps solidify it.

The police and media plant the seed in Shawn's mind that he was forced by Devlin to participate in Ben's Kidnapping. Authorities assure Shawn that he will not take the rap for it. Everyone is hell-bent on pinning everything on Devlin. Shawn is relieved, even though deep down inside he knows better. Oh well, that's what Devlin deserves right? After all, he's the sick pervert, right? Devlin is now going to take the rap for everything. The whole 4 1/2 years will all be Devlin's fault.

People rejoice, and Shawn is deemed innocent by the public. Shawn is shown in the media not really expressing much emotion toward his mom and dad. No tears were shed by Shawn. Only a week or two after his return, Shawn's parents drag him to interview after interview. They do The Oprah Winfrey Show and make some money. Shawn cuts his hair and removes his piercing. After all it looks better for the media, right? In interviews, Shawn is very calm, well adjusted, relaxed and in good form. Not the type of demeanor and energy you'd expect from a boy who was supposedly traumatized, terrified, abused and brainwashed for 4.5 years.

Meanwhile, A company steps forward and gives Shawn and his family a new house. The boy who spotted Devlin's truck, gets a new truck. And what about poor, young Ben who was grabbed and shoved into the truck and pinned to the floor by Shawn? If anyone was held captive it was Ben -- By both Shawn and Devlin. Well, poor Ben gets no gifts -- but at least he is back home safe with is parents. I believe the real hero and survivor in this case is Ben.

Devlin pleads not guilty and the rest will play out in a trial. Lies and back-stabbing are very possible to protect ones innocence -- On both sides of the court room.

Only Shawn and Devlin will really know what happened during those 4.5 years living together. If Shawn was a willing participant in this relationship, and he did lie to claim innocence, he'll have to live with his conscience for the rest of his life.
But the honest truth about Shawn and Devlin's motivations, feelings, and life together for almost have a decade, will be a deep dark secret that Shawn will probably keep locked inside himself forever.

Whatever happens in the end, I sincerely hope it's the truth. As they say, the truth will set you free.

This is a very bitter-sweet, mysteriously-bizarre case, indeed.

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

Shawn Hornbeck

Answer 4

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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 5

I really don't think he wanted to be found. He doesn't seem to happy to be back with his parents now. I noticed when they first found him he had kinda long hair and a bunch of piercings but he doesn't anymore. Interesting.

Answer 6

I thought about that already too...seems so...doesn't it!!