Missouri Miracle- Shawn Hornbeck Talks About His Kidnapping

Shawn Hornbeck and William “Ben” Ownby, 13, of Beaufort, Mo., were found Friday by police officers in Michael Devlin’s apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Hornbeck went missing in 2002.
Devlin pleaded not guilty today to charges of kidnapping.

Oprah posted video of her interview with Shawn HERE.
St. Louis KSDK has video of Devlin’s court appearance HERE.

Shawn Hornbeck appeared on Oprah today with his mother and stepfather for his first interview since being reunited with his family last Friday:

Shawn Hornbeck didn’t escape because he was “terrified,” but prayed nightly that he eventually would be reunited with his family, according to interviews he and his parents had with television host Oprah Winfrey.

His parents, Craig and Pam Akers of Richwoods, Mo., also told Winfrey they believe Shawn was sexually abused.

“There was a time when I was thinking about giving up, but then I just thought of what they (were) doing and searching for me and looking for me,” Shawn, 15, is quoted as saying. “And then I knew they (weren’t) giving up, so I figured I shouldn’t.”

His mother and stepfather told Winfrey they had not asked Shawn whether he was sexually abused but believe that he was. “When this stuff comes out, we need professionals there that know how to deal with the specific circumstance, whenever we find out what that circumstance is,” Craig Akers says on the show. “The last thing we want to do is put him through any more mental anguish.”

Winfrey’s Web site says Shawn said he had been too “terrified” to contact his parents in the years after he was abducted on Oct. 6, 2002. The Web site says Shawn said he had spent his days sleeping, watching television, playing video games and playing with friends, and said he had told people a made-up story about his life that his kidnapper had told him.

In a strange twist, Shawn Hornbeck wrote his parents over the internet while he was missing.
Here is one of the websites where Shawn had a profile.
Here is another website where Shawn Hornbeck had a profile.

Michael Devlin appears on a video screen during his arraignment via video link, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007 in Union, Mo. Devlin pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping Ben Ownby, 13, who was found four days later in the man’s apartment with another boy who had been missing for more than four years. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Michael Devlin denied any wrongdoing today in court:

When asked if he understood what he is accused of, he answered, “Yes.”

He also answered “Yes,” acknowledging his attorneys and that he understands his right to remain silent.

Then the judge asked, “Mr. Devlin, how do you wish to plead to this matter?”

“I’m not guilty,” Devlin answered.

The preliminary hearing was set for March 15th.

Previously:
St. Louis Officials Find Ben Ownby & Shawn Hornbeck Alive!

Dear Reader - The enemies of freedom are choking off the Gateway Pundit from the resources we need to bring you the truth. Since many asked for it, we now have a way for you to support The Gateway Pundit directly - and get ad-reduced access. Plus, there are goodies like a special Gateway Pundit coffee mug for supporters at a higher level. You can see all the options by clicking here - thank you for your support!
Photo of author
Jim Hoft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016. In 2023, The Gateway Pundit received the Most Trusted Print Media Award at the American Liberty Awards.

You can email Jim Hoft here, and read more of Jim Hoft's articles here.

 

Thanks for sharing!