TVSquad

I agree and disagree with you at the same time. I am from the St. Louis area and have seen Shawn Hornbeck's disappearance and subsequent search and now his reappearance on the news for years. I agree that the teen should be allowed to recover in private, but disagree that Oprah cannot sympathize or conduct a proper interview under these circumstances just because she has no children of her own. It's 2007, shouldn't our understandings of family and support be moving forward?

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I blame the parents. I do not think that the entire country needs to know this kid's first and last name, hometown, and the fact that his parents nodded yes when asked if they believe he was molested.

Years from now I can picture his resume coming accross a potential employer's desk, the name ringing a bell, and Shawn being dismissed as a potential candidate. Why? Because most people will assume that he's unstable after what he's suffered.

I don't think spending the rest of his life ashamed, scared, or isolated is the answer, but the fact that his parents paraded him around on national TV is sad.

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Whythe fuck didn't he run? He went to his parents website from him, cops pulled him over before, the who story is fucked up. Yeah he's scared, but he was next to the cop!

And his "parents" are assholes, simple as that. i think they should be shot, how about you do some parenting!

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What the heck was the rush to push this poor kid in front of the camera? He was just found days ago. Is it because Oprah wanted to be sure to be the first vulture who got him? I too blame the parents. Really - all of these people in this family must still be in some sort of shock of sorts - this is atrocious.
Oprah like the rest of them has one interest in all of this: ratings and the money it brings.
The adults in this thing should be ashamed of themselves. The kid is manipulated by the man who kidnapped him for four years and now his own parents and other adults are doing this to him? Ugh.

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He didn't run because his kidnapper had a gun and threatened to kill him and his family. He was 11 not 21. He was terrified. Ever hear of Stockholm Syndrome? Kidnappers and child abusers can have subtle but powerful influences over their victims. You need to look at this from an 11-year-olds point of view not an adults.

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Oprah's a pig, pure and simple. She no longer has a conscience, just a mind-set to make herself look like a do-gooder. A narcissist by the textbook. As for Shawn and his family, well, no one has a right to criticize any of them until you take a walk in their shoes, and I assure you, NOBODY wants to try them on for size. I can't even begin to comprehend the horrors all of them lived through and continue to face. Let's be realistic- one false move by the kid (including talking to a cop) could have produced severe ramifications for him by scumbag Devlin, how do you know what that boy has seen? For all we know, he could've witnessed that freak kill or torture another abductee (since there are other missing children from that area and the guy owns undeveloped property nearby) and he did what he had to do to preserve his life. Please think before thinking or saying hurtful things about him, because no child wants to be stolen from home. In his mind, he probably figured he'd have to face Devlin one on one if he told on him or ran, since they'd have to check his story or Devlin might find him before he got away safely. A child's mind naturally works on a system that an adult would be believed before they would, and it was too big of a risk for him to take for the sake of his life. No one knows the threats Devlin placed on he and his family, and there's no way to be objective when you are a kid in his predicament. We can be objective as outsiders looking in, but let's do it compassionately. These people have been through enough.

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I can say, as a survivor of something similar to Shawn's ordeal, but nowhere near as horrifying and drawn-out, that there is NO wrong decision for him and his family right now. I cannot describe to anyone here what sort of complete shock that whole family is currently in. I think Oprah knows this, is possibly preying on it, and if I am correct, it's disgusting. That family is literally in a daze right now; there are not the words to describe the dream-like bizarre state of being that occurs after an incident like this. I lived through it, and I cannot even put it into words very well. AGAIN, I stress that there can be NO WRONG DECISIONS HERE; Shawn did EVERYTHING RIGHT - his surviving, and also keeping the situation under control when Ben Ownby was brought to that apartment tells me what he was made of. If you survived, and you're not a statistic, then you did NOT make ANY mistakes. When you are captor to a total maniac, who has done things to do you cannot ever share with anyone, (I have yet to ever speak of the most gory details in my own past, and that was over 18 year ago), the level of constant terror and fear for your life is beyond description. It will wake Shawn up from a perfect sleep for the rest of his life, and I hope he knows he's not alone as a survivor. Personally, I would like to see the media and all the bloggers and web commentators praise him more; that would definitely accelerate his healing. Trust me, I know. He REALLY needs to hear, "It's NOT your fault, you did EVERYTHING right - your being here today, in one pieve physically,proves it. Your calm demeanor probably saved Ben's life as well....You are amazing for the strenght you showed, and for not killing yourself years ago while living with that maniac." This kid's will to live is exceptional. He must have had an exceptionally supportive environment at home, growing-up, as well. His home and his family are the only places he could have learned to value his life so much, and to have such unbelievable faith in himself, himself, his family, God, what have you. I'm amazed at his survivorship, and I think many more heads need to nod to this boy's incredible sense of self-worth and preservation. In my own healing, hearing that I had done something right, that I was strong and smart...those things are what helped the healing. I hope many people read this, and that they can gain a new perspective and understanding about Shawn, and Ben (who also did EVERYTHING right - way to go, Ben!) - and their horrific ordeal. Sharing this wasn't easy for me, but I felt ready. It's impossible for anyone who's never lived through anything like this to even comprehend the level of terror involved. It's literally paralyzing. And to Shawn, a personal note: sleeping all day was the best coping strategy you could have had! There was not a better escape you could have devised. I am so proud of you for not deciding to end your life in permanent sleep to finally end the torture, but instead chose to experience the temporary escape of sleep and its peaceful healing. I just pray that after this, you will one day be able to sleep a full night, peacefully, more often than not. That is truly when you will feel healed.

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It is amazing that Shawn had the courage to hold on to the faith that he knew would lead him home. He is a strong young man. As a parent, I can not imagine how any family can cope with such a tragic event. As far as the media goes, they are being as sensative as possible. After all, the WORLD wants to know that SHAWN AND BEN will be OKAY!! I think it brings Shawn strength to stand up to the world and say, YES...I MADE IT...I AM HOME! He had the choice whether or not to grant interviews, it was not forced upon him. I believe he is so proud of himself and he needs to know the public is proud of him too, knowing there are people on his side, not judging him by the hell he lived in or what was done to him, will hopefully bring him peace and strength he needs to heal! Praise Shawn and God Bless his family.

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David, Your an idiot. The boy was 11 years old. He was riding his bike. Obviously you are not a parent. What a foul mouth you have. One of Geoffrey Dahmers victim's went to the police and the police gave him back to Geoffrey Dahmer. Now that person is dead. You don't know what he was going through. Thank god he survived. I pray you don't have kids. Your a sick individual.

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Bless you, Chris. You should email the family and tell them of your support, they need it especially because of IDIOTS with ignorant, foul-mouths like David, who ought to be ashamed of themselves! You shoul be, too, Courtney. People like you two should just keep your opinions to yourselves. You are just adding insult to much injury. If it helps with the healing process for these families to go on Oprah, or any other show and talk about what happened, then they have that right. They also may be able to keep this kind of thing from happening to someone else, maybe many others. But, even if it just saves one child's life, it is worth it. They should be commended for all they have done. None of them ever gave up and that is most certainly why Shawn is alive today, and able to smile that sweet smile he still has.

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yea, we know that the public wants to know everything about shawn and what happened to him while he was gone, but honestly give him a rest. he was gone for 4 years. give the guy a brake. Let him take a breath of air before you guys pound information out of him. i feel bad for him...i do...im really sorry.i think that you all should just let him talkes when he is ready to.
thankx

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He reported his bicycle stolen to a police officer, ten months after his abduction? Wait a minute!
He's in the presence of a police officer, and he didn't say anything? This is odd! I know that he must have had all kinds of thoughts swimming in his head, but he should have had more sense to "realize" that if he was in arms reach of a police officer - he was safe!

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WELL, IT LOOKS TO ME THAT THIS KID HAD PLENTY OF CHANCES TO ESCAPE. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.... HE CALLED THE POLICE AND REPORTED HIS NEW BIKE STOLEN!! HE WAS FLAGGED DOWN LATE AT NIGHT BY THE POLICE FOR RIDING THE SAME BIKE W/OUT LIGHTS. HHHELLOOOOOOOOO....PEOPLE....WAKE UP.
DONT GIVE ME YOUR "HE WAS ONLY 11YOA CRAP! THE KID HAD A PIERCED EAR WHEN HE WENT MISSING. IM SURE HE WAS STREET SAVY AND PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT DEVIANT.
THE FACT HE RAN INTO THE POLICE (ALONE) AT LEAST 2 TIMES SINCE HIS "ABDUCTION" TELLS ME LOUD AND CLEAR HE WAS HAPPY NOT GOING TO SCHOOL AND PROB. PLAYING X-BOX ALL DAY. YOUR LOOKING AT A HUGE WASTE OF TIME/MONEY AND MANPOWER THAT WENT INTO LOOKING FER THIS KID.......... HE JUST DIDNT WANT TO GO HOME. PERIOD.

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I think that all the talk shows and publicity is another violation of Shawn. I watched the Oprah show and applauded the parents of William Ownby for not allowing him to appear on camera or be interviewed. I was also concerned that Oprah asked the question about sexual abuse. We are not a stupid society by any means and I think we all have a good idea why this young man was taken and that there was probabally sexual abuse involved, it certainly did not need to be asked on National television. I am sure that Shawn is mortified, lets remember, he was only 11 years old when he was taken and is still just 15 years old. I support his family in helping Shawn and seeing this process through the judicial system, however, I hope that the interviews stop and they allow Shawn the time to heal and deal with what he has been through and continues to go through. The emotional trauma to this boy is immense, it will be a shame if the public and his family continue to add to that trauma. There is still a potential trial to go through here, and once you put something out into the public, it becomes hard to take it back. I would caution the families from saying too much as it could prove to come back and hurt them in court. To Shawn I wish that he gets the councelling that he is going to need and that he is supported with love and respect from the media, his family and the public.

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does anyone know where i can see the entire episode? i know where i can see the little minute clips, but i missed it and i want to see the entire thing. thanks

god bless that poor kid. he is so strong, and im pretty much sobbing seeing him look so scared when he was introduced at he live audience part of the show..

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The case of Shawn is a very unique case to say the least. The people in Missouri supported his parents and prayed for his safe return just as his parents and many people across the United States did. His parents used the media to keep Shawn's name and face out there for over four years and I personally think they ALL felt that by going on Oprah and telling the public that Shawn was okay was their way of "ending" the publicity.

Are some forgetting what is was like to be 11 years old? Obviously! Shawn adapted to the life he was handed with an abductor who stole him away from his family and innocence then browbeat him into submission, whether it was mental, physical and/or sexual. So, your an 11 year old little boy weighing less than 100 lbs, you don't know where your at or how to get back home, you are threatened constantly by a 6'4", 300 lb sex offender, really, what would YOU do? Just kick back and enjoy life, huh? Xbox, riding your bike, physical and mental abuse,and oh, let's not forget the sodomy, yeah, this is the good life right?

Those of you who want to blame Shawn for not running are total idiots. How can any of this be his fault????! So, he tells a cop who he is, the cop takes him back to Devlin's, thinking parent and kid had a spat and guess where that kid is gonna be going......Right back to where he was, only now his abductor is really pissed and bets the shit out of him again. We, as adults, are supposed to be looking out for our children! Whether your a cop,
neighbor, grocery store clerk or parent, it is our responsibility to protect these kids. The signs were there, but we as adults failed to read them.

Congratulations to Shawn for surviving, Congratulations to the Akers for having their son back. I personally appreciate their sharing the very happy ending to Shawn's return. I wish them nothing but the best and commend them on their handling of the last 4 1/2 years.

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I definitely commend the boys for surviving this ordeal. I still am befuddled by all those who truly believe Shawn could have escaped. We, AS OUTSIDERS do not know what happened to either of these boys. Obviously, Shawn did not live a utopian life stlye while kidnapped. We DO NOT know what types of threats were made, nor do most of us know how we would react in this situation. I do believe, however, that Oprah should not have asked the boys to appear on her show. It's to premature and the boys most likely were not emotionally ready. I enourage everyone to be open-minded about the whole situation, and to support the families wholeheartedly!

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The U.S. is celebrating the returns home of two missing abducted boys, Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby. The kidnappings (and God knows what other crimes were
done to these children) is every parent's nightmare.
Why Michael Devlin commited these horrendous crimes is akin to asking why any crimes are committed. Criminal minds may not be understood and we should just think of Devlin-types as criminals, period. We don't care if he had a drinking problem, if he was misunderstood during childhood, suffered from diabetes or anything else...Devlin committed a crime - PERIOD!

Questions about Shawn Hornbeck "staying" should ONLY be asked to learn how to educate children about improved child safety. Hornbeck or Ownby don't need to keep hearing accusations of WHY DID THEY STAY by media.

"Why did they stay" questions asked about the victims of domestic violence, sexual battery or child kidnappings serve NO PURPOSE but blames victims. The
victims didn't commit the crimes. People should realize that ANYONE could be a victim and ANYONE could be brainwashed, given the right person and the right circumstance. Those thinking "This would never happen to me" are naive and LUCKY they weren't chosen by those
practiced in their criminal arts! Count your blessings it wasn't you or your family, because it could be your family next time. Many criminals are VERY GOOD at what they do. Please consider that experts agree that Devlin could have gained control over a young boy's mind within a week. Some kids fear returning home following sexual abuse.

(Imagine the fear of returning to classmates, parents and neighbors...describing a large man performing sexual horrors on you. Many children feel shame that they didn't do as they were told. Hornbeck not talking
is for the sake of the court case. Victimizing Hornbeck by media is no more moral than Devlin's victimization!)

There are some questions that should be asked. There are some changes that should be made to protect our children and U.S. families. Every county or
community should enact laws to force new residents to register i.e. when purchasing or renting a home. This one law could solve the problem of illegal aliens (as was done in Hazleton, PA.) and those abducting children. When residents register, all children's names and Social Security numbers would be forwarded to local school districts.

There are a lot of excuses in the Hornbeck case. The Devlin family didn't know a boy was suddenly living with Michael Devlin for over 4 years? I know I'd be
suspicious if my 35+ year old son or brother was suddenly living with a boy!

Devlin's employers say they had no knowledge of the Hornbeck child, yet co-workers said a boy called Devlin's place of employment (Mike Prosperi Pizza
and Bopp Chapel Funeral Home), saying he was Devlin's son. And, no one questioned where this kid came from? Hornbeck was residing in the same apartment owned by Bill Romer, and the school district never checked out this kid for 4 years?

If we're blaming estranged communities, we need residential registrations to ensure we know who lives in our neighborhoods! Thank God for those 2 police
officers and that brave Ownby school-mate who didn't offer excuses and watched out for their fellow Americans! (Is it true that neighbors reported Devlin's truck to police for DAYS?)

Welcome home Ben Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck. You two are the real heroes who survived at the hands of a talented criminal, who looked like the "guy next
door." When will we realize that most criminals look just like us and ANYONE could be victimized? Let's keep our focus on the criminals, stop asking victims
why they stayed; let's get community registration laws enacted and stop thinking criminals will look any different than the guy or gal next door. There are
criminals and sex offenders in every neighborhood; only the convicted criminals will be pictured on web-sites. And, let's get better child safety instructions.
If 30-60% of all children will be victims of these offenders, what we have isn't working!

D Maso

www.donnamaso.com
Author of THE PREDATOR GAME: a Guide to help keep children safe from sexual
offenders

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So what if he was in the presence of a police officer? He was also a terrified 11 year old CHILD. If anyone's actions are to be questioned here, I would question the police officer's actions. Why didn't he notice or recognize anything strange. Or for even that matter, didn't some neighbor's even suggest that he,(Shawn), resembled the missing Shawn himself? Why are you trying to place fault on a tramatized child? Blame those who could have and should have come to his aid but didn't.

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Swanny...... Obviously you have a twisted mind almost as deviant as Michael Devlin himslf.... have you had no education or contact with the real world.... Yes, there are sick, people out there that CAN control the minds of children and make them believe anything.. ie:
if you tell anyone who you are...and I get caught, I have people near your parents and sister who will chop them up in little peices, so don't even think about running away or telling anyone.... if you stick with the story and never tell, you will be spared and so will your family - screw up and you all die.......
and YOU think a child could not be convinced of this????? YOUR NUTS

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