Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Crystal Britt talked about the emotions of that day as we look back on Shawn and Ben Ownbys remarkable rescue. The two lived alternatively as father and son, or family friends. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, He was 11 years old. He was sexually abused, with Devlin later telling FBI agents that as Shawn got older, he had begun looking for a younger boy to take. Danielle, whos now a teenager, still suffers from developmental issues, but it was last reported that she was enjoying high school. 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They've changed, but I could recognise them in 20 more years, instantly,' he told Winfrey, before adding that while he had access to the internet and a phone, he was unable to contact them. Meanwhile, Shawn Hornbeck was allowed to see friends and even use a cellphone after Devlin believed that the boy wouldnt try to run or reach the authorities. One year after Hornbecks release, his parents told PEOPLE he was making progress. All Rights Reserved. Its their story to tell.. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. FILE Shawn Hornbeck and his parents, Pam and Craig Akers, in 2013. Authorities said they are trying to authenticate the images, but are working under the assumption that the photos are genuine, FOX News affiliate KTVI in St. Louis reported. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. When they arrived, Shawn and Ben were inside playing video games. In response to the tragedy, Shawns parents, Pam and Craig Akers, founded the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation and the Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team to assist in searches of abducted children. Now 34, Carlina goes by Netty and her story has been turned into a Lifetime movie, Abducted: The Carlina White Story. Investigators say the images show a "different side" of Hornbeck, and they hope that they will help them piece together the teen's puzzling disappearance. LOUIS - Six months ago, Shawn Hornbeck disappeared again. I just wanted to walk away and the guy got upset, I dont know, irritated. In 1976, 26 children and their bus driver were kidnapped and buried alive in an underground van that survivors would later describe as a "coffin." And he said, Ill never forget this, he said, Nah, boy just get in the truck. And thats when I bolted and I ran, said Palmer. The truck matched a description given by 15-year-old Mitchell Hults of a vehicle he spotted in the vicinity of Ownbys abduction. Shawn was also made to pose as his abductors son. This undated handout photo provided by the FBI shows Shawn Hornbeck as he was pictured on a missing person poster from 2002. Franklin County Sheriff talks day Shawn Hornbeck was found 20 years ago 00:00 / 07:16 Hornbeck suffered physical, psychological and sexual abuse at the hand of Delvin, who reportedly was once a friendly and outgoing person but became more reclusive after some issues with his health. ', Shawn replied: 'I was hoping it might give some sort of hint. Undergoing horrible ordeals as children, from kidnapping to abuse, they all managed to survive and tell their stories. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. According to Palmer, while walking back from a video rental store, a man in a pickup pulled up and tried to get Palmer to accept a ride. Shes now a spokesperson for the anti-pornography group, Fight the New Drug. Ownby was kidnapped in January of 2007 in Beaufort and it was during that investigation that Ownby and Hornbeck were found in Devlins Kirkwood apartment. In May of that year, the Akers family determined they didnt have the time and resources necessary to commit to the foundation and rescue team. Due to lack of funds and time, The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was closed, but members helped found the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team to continue the work. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Once found, Natascha gave dozens of interviews, released two memoirs, and even had a film based on her ordeal. The falsehoods hurt the family, but may have fueled the search to find their son alive. 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The shocking photos appear to show Hornbeck, now 15, inside or near the apartment of Michael Devlin, the 41-year-old man charged with kidnapping him and 13-year-old Ben Ownby. Ill. coroner explains how wife didnt notice body, Check out these new must-see Missouri attractions, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Prosecutors in Franklin, Washington, and St. Louis counties hit Devlin with dozens of charges, including kidnapping, use of a deadly weapon, molestation, and production of child pornography. The agents asked for Devlins permission to search his truck, which he gave. I have them because I survived.. Visit FOXNews.com's Crime Center for complete coverage. A Missouri man who became part of an international story is being remembered for his selflessness. ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) Ten years ago today, the FBI stormed into a small Kirkwood apartment complex and rescued Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby, marking the day many call The Missouri Miracle. In October 2002, the then 11-year-old Hornbeck was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friends home in Washington County. In 2014, it appears Hornbeck tweeted about Willett by name, writing, Thank you to Lynn Willet for giving me back freedom., She later replied, on the 2015 anniversary of his freedom, Today will always have great meaning for me and my team. She lives in Utah with her husband and two-year-old daughter. It was strange. Another child, 13, went missing five years later. Knowing what its like being on the other side and potentially what may have happened and what may have led up to her final moments and understanding probably a lot of what she was feeling, its heartbreaking.. Your email address will not be published. Al Nothum of the Missouri Highway Patrol said the first thing police want to know is who took the photos. Speaking out for the first time, Shawn Hornbeck says his four years of being held captive . Once a cold case, the Missouri Miracle serves as evidence that determination, quick thinking, and an eye for detail can bring sometimes justice. As he peddled through the small-town streets he was bumped by a white truck. We were sitting in the back seat, he was turned to look at me and I was turned to look at him. For the four years that followed, Shawn believed that his family would be harmed if he tried to run. Since then, Elizabeth, now 34, has been a vocal advocate for child safety rights. 'This is the best day of our lives. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. Palmer told News 4 that his father married a woman from Robinson,. When then-FBI Special Agent Lynn Willett went to a pizza shop in Kirkwood, Missouri, 10 years ago, she did not expect to leave with a kidnapper in custody. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Willett was following a lead on Jan. 12, 2007, in the case of Ben Ownby, a 13-year-old who had gone missing days earlier. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Three days later, two Kirkwood police officers answered another unrelated call at Devlin's apartment building, but as they were leaving, spotted the truck outside. Listen Now On Jan. 12, 2007, Ben Ownby, 13, and Shawn Hornbeck, 15, were saved from Michael Devlin's apartment in St. Louis County. Two federal agentsLynn Willett and Tina Richterasked permission to search the truck, which Devlin allowed. Sherman said the Hornbecks were unaware of the photos until they were contacted by KTVI, but said that the family is prepared to deal with any trauma their son might have experienced during his time in captivity. Share this story with your friends and family. That fall Devlin pleaded guilty to multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault and was sentenced to 74 life . Terrified, knowing that the man would soon kill her, Alicia struggled to maintain hope that she would be found. The second boy was Shawn Hornbeck, who had disappeared more than four years earlier from his own rural neighborhood of Washington County. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Palmer was confident that he now had the identity of the man who tried to abduct him 22 years ago, so he contacted police in Robinson but they suggested he reach out to the FBI since Devlin would have crossed a state line to commit the crime. ', His father Craig said he could remember the message, telling the host:'I remember reading it, I remember thinking to myself either this is someone with that name or this is someone trying to yank my chain.'. Though Ben was two years older than Shawn, he looked young for his age, and both. When investigators confronted Devlin, he finally confessed to Ben's kidnapping - and stunned the detectives when he said he also had Shawn. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey just days after being reunited with Shawn, the Akerses said they believed their son was sexually abused during his captivity. We would talk about a lot of nonsignificant things, and then, once I would steer the conversation back, our focus was on Ben, Willett said. On October 6, 2002, Shawn Hornbeck left home on his bicycle in the rural area of Richwoods, Missouri. His widow, Pam, and son Shawn apparently share a special bond that is helping them during this time of loss. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? Craig sadly passed away in 2019 from bladder cancer aged 57, with Pam saying she was 'so grateful he got to spend more time with Shawn'. Im a bad person, she said he confessed to her. 'It's very comforting knowing I'm back with my family, but I've missed out on a lot of stuff,' he said. Shawn Hornbeck married and became a father. Even now theyre strong together, said Jason Huncovsky, Akers son-in-law. Our only wish would have been to help you sooner.. So, today, at the age of 59, Cary Stayner is incarcerated at the San Quentin State Prison. Shawn had taken this path many times before but this time, Shawn passed by Mike Devlin who bumped him with his truck. Police went on a search for Hornbeck, but were unable to discover the boys whereabouts. 18:50 GMT 12 Jan 2021. Shawn was with him in the pickup. 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Willett and the others saw two boys playing video games in the apartment: Ben Ownby, whom they immediately recognized, and a now 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck. Im an important cog in it, but its a personal thing for each boy and their family. Devlin remains at the state prison in Cameron under protective custody. Then read more about Dennis Martin, the six-year-old boy who disappeared in the Great Smokey Mountains. I never forgot his face, he said. It is hard to even come up with words to express the feeling. Willett spoke at length with Devlin while they sat in the backseat of an FBI vehicle. News 4 contacted the FBI but a spokesperson said they could neither confirm nor deny a complaint had been filed and an investigation was underway. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation ceased operations in 2013. At the time of his arrest, Hornbeck also lived with Shawns older sisters, Jackie and Jennifer, who were then 7 and 6, respectively. Akers served in the United States Air Force and was a member of Patriot Guard. Shawn Hornbeck married and became a father. Shawn Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007, along with another teenage boy. Have a tip? And Devlin would later admit to prosecutors that Shawn was getting too old for him, and he abducted Ben because he looked younger, which proved McNamaras theory. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Teenage kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart has given birth to her third child. Crack the case in FOXNews.com's Crime Center. Pam Akers watched her son, Shawn Hornbeck, leave their home in Richwoods, Missouri, about 55 miles southwest of St. Louis, on the afternoon of Oct. 6, 2002. Shawn is grown up. Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. This time it was from the lives of those who had known and cared for him during the four years he was missing, those who had unwittingly. "Craig was a dedicated family man. Mitchell Hults of Franklin County saw the truck near the scene of the crime, telling investigators. Later, Devlin admitted he kidnapped Ben because Shawn was getting too old for his liking, unwittingly confirming McNamaras theory. Devlin pleaded not guilt to two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed criminal action, and is being held on $1 million bond. Shawn Hornbeck was alive and had been living with Devlin as a hostage for over four years. A white truck had been seen speeding away after Ownby had been snatched, and when police tracked down Devlin's cluttered one bedroom apartment home, they found Shawn Hornbeck toositting on the couch. Did Elizabeth Smart have a baby while kidnapped? It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Shawn Hornbeck, his mother Pam Akers, left, and step-father Craig Akers, greet friends as they walk into the press conference Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Richwoods School. You have to stay strong the whole time and you have to just have that strength and just know one day you will be reunited with your family.. You look at a lot of things," Nothum said. Shawn said the message had been a cry for hope, and at the time, he just wanted his life to get back to normal - to return to school, to work and to spend more time with his family - including his two sisters. She linked the two abductions before the authorities did and even used online maps to guess as to where they were being held. That is, until April 2020 after he started volunteering for a non-profit in Canada called, Operation Underground Railroad, that works to combat human trafficking. On Jan. 8, 2007, Devlin abducted Ben Ownby at a bus stop in Beaufort, Missouri. Devlin pleaded guilty to all the charges and received 74 life sentences and an additional term of 2,020 years. Contests & Promotions, 2023, The Networks of Mid-Missouri Columbia, MO USA, JC Public Works announces more street closures, Federal grand jury indicts man on hate crime charges after he allegedly shot 2 Jewishmen in Los Angelesin February, All flights grounded at airport near Penn State University over suspicious device, 100 passengers bused to campus, Fire at Indonesian fuel storage station kills at least 16, A string of gruesome cat killings has this Japanese city on edge. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. The Oct. 6, 2002 kidnapping of Richwoods 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck while riding his bike to a friend's house, . "We're not just looking at the person in the picture, but obviously you look at everything in the background or the quality of the film or of the digital picture. He was 57. He admitted to abducting Ownby. "It's disturbing, but it's not unexpected that there are going to be things revealed from the course of Shawn's captivity that are going to be upsetting to the family," Hornbeck family lawyer Scott Sherman said. They had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin . Shawn, who was missing since Oct. 2002, was. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. She and another agent headed to the Kirkwood pizzeria because its manager, Michael Devlin, owned a truck that looked suspiciously similar to one that had been seen near the site of Ownbys abduction. Shawn would even reach out to his parents on a website they set up to receive tips on his disappearance. She still has a scar on her forehead from the incident. The comments below have not been moderated, By She was rescued by her adoptive parents who worked with the troubled girls social interaction issues. In the interview, he revealed what he really thought about suspicions that he and his parents were involved with his sisters death. That evening, then-Fraklin County Sheriff Glen Toelke made the stunning announcement bothboys had been found and were alive. One of the most disturbing of the more than a dozen images obtained by KTVI appears to show Hornbeck with his face shrouded in a red bandana pointing a gun at the camera. . Theres hardly any place he can go that somebody doesnt recognize him and want to give him a hug, his mom said. Five years later, we watched together as Shawn Hornbeck was found alive. On a daily basis you get so many weird, out there message.'. She was 46. Hornbeck, now 25, attended private school after his rescue and later got a factory job in Missouri, according to the Post-Dispatch. Task force officials say the images are a top priority, but are not sure at this point how important they will be to their ongoing investigation. Her case made national news back in 2002 when she was taken from her room at gunpoint at age 14. Scroll through the gallery below to see before-and-after photos of famous kids from criminal cases. (KFVS) Eleven-year-old Shawn Hornbeck went missing in 2002. Due to lack of funds and time, The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was closed, but members helped found the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team to continue the work. But that wasnt his only crime. Since then, Shasta has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, but in a 2015 interview, said she was getting her life back on track and was on her way to being a mother. He runs right into me., I put my hands on his shoulders, she said. He wont be eligible for parole until hes 100. She still stays in touch with her colleagues who helped solve the case. As you know, police found 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck in an apartment of 41-year-old Michael Devlin last week, along with 13-year-old Ben Ownby. Market data provided by Factset. It was 1980. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. He is serving 74 life sentences. Send it to us! In the same interview, Shawn said he spent his days sleeping and playing video games and was instructed to tell people he was being homeschooled. 'We knew the world knew the answer to that, we had been saying all along we would never stop looking for our son. Devlin took him to an apartment in nearby Kirkwood, where he was held captive for the next four years. On January 12, 2007, police and FBI agents entered the apartment and located Ben Ownby and a second boy sitting on a sofa quietly. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! On Jan. 8, 2007, Ben Ownby was taken while waiting at a bus stop in Beaufort, located in Franklin County. Meanwhile, for his tip and information, Mitchell Hults received a reward that included a new pickup truck. Shawn Hornbeck stays close to his mother, Pam Akers, during a press conference Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Richwoods, the morning after he was found along with Ben Ownby in a Kirkwood apartment. In 1996, Tanya was abducted by Thomas Hose, her middle school janitor. If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). But he was able to send them a message on a website that had been set up to help find him, using his real name. #subscriptionResponse{color:#000; font-size:14px; font-weight:bold}. DE SOTO, Mo. About 19 years (January 2003)Shawn Hornbeck Foundation / Age. When Shawn came up missing he was 11 years old and was riding his bike alone on October 6, 2002, when Michael Devlin was patrolling quiet roads for months searching for a young victim. After hearing the news of Ownbys abduction, true crime investigator and late wife of comedian Patton Oswalt, Michelle McNamara began investigating the boys abduction. Palmer said he remembers the face of the man who tried to abduct him 22 years ago, but it wasnt until recently he put the name of Michael Devlin, to that face. The man who fathered kidnapped teen Shawn Hornbeck was a convicted sex offender who did three years in a Missouri prison on drug and sodomy charges, The Post has learned. However, Shawn eventually became too old for Devlin and the kidnapper was soon was back on the streets to find a new victim. Jessica O'Connor is a public historian focusing on Deep South Black History with degrees from Winston-Salem State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. They also started the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation to help other families find their missing and abducted children. Driving his pickup, he knocked Hornbeck off his bike and kidnapped him. The shocking photos appear to show Hornbeck, now 15,. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. Looking at the side of his neck, I could see the pulse quicken, I could see a physiological change, when we would talk about the abduction..