Missing boy Ben Ownby from Missouri Found alive with another missing boy!

[joshsmom]

I live right across the River from St. Louis and this is truly a miracle that these boys were found alive. Shawn had been missing since he was 11--he's 15 now. That really hits home because DS is now 11 and I couldn't imagine him not being with me. When we go to Walmart or wherever, he always wants to go to a different section of the store because he HATES shopping. But I always had Shawn's story and Adam Walsh's story in my mind and I didn't allow him to do it. The world is just a scary place.

I am so happy for their families--but I'm sure there's a lot of healing (and therapy) that needs to take place. I have not gotten to see a good picture of Shawn yet. The video I have seen has been a profile shot and I couldn't really tell if he looked different. After 4 1/2 years, I would think he would. What a story he has to tell. I just pray for his healing and that he and his family will be able to rebuild their relationship

 

[Chloe'sMom]

How wonderful for the boys to have been found.

Why has the scum only be charged with ONE count of kidnapping? (someone posted that earlier.)

Ben was kidnapped in Franklin County and that is currently where the one charge of kidnapping is coming from. Shawn was kidnapped in Franklin County so I'm betting we will see another charge of kidnapping from Franklin County after they receive all of the investigation information. And then I bet we'll see child molestation charges (if they were molested) from St. Louis County where Kirkwood is.

This morning the parents of Shawn had a brief over the phone press conference. They just sound so relieved.

~Amanda

 

[RrCoAsTeR]

I am in Kirkwood (E&BMom=my mom) and my aunt used to live across from the kidnapper's mother and is friends with her. She said she is very sweet. The kidnapper was apparently one of three adopted children, and it was a very large family

 

[CathrynRose]

There is another post on that blog from the user name ANNONYMUS that says something like::

Why aren't the police going to the homes of convicted child molesters?

Could this have been him too? Calling for help?

Well - I agree with whomever posted this! Why didnt they?

Im sorry - I feel you lose all your privacy 'rights' and civil liberties when you a touch child.

I missed the press with Shawn this morning....I wanted to see it. Im still so suprised.

I hope that pig of a man makes a friend named "bubba" in jail.

 

[CathrynRose]

My big question is......was he going to school? Have they said anything about that?

Just now - on FOX they said he hasnt gone to school. Although he has gone out in public and even saw an age progression photo of himself and didnt think it looked like him.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Well - I agree with whomever posted this! Why didnt they?

Im sorry - I feel you lose all your privacy 'right' and civil liberties when you touch child.

I missed the press with Shawn this morning....I wanted to see it. Im still so suprised.

I hope that pig of a man makes a friend named "bubba" in jail.

I have to agree with this!

 

[CathrynRose]

I am in Kirkwood (E&BMom=my mom) and my aunt used to live across from the kidnapper's mother and is friends with her. She said she is very sweet. The kidnapper was apparently one of three adopted children, and it was a very large family

This DIS is amazing - we get more detaqils here, then on the news! WoW!

 

[r3ngels]

I missed the press conf. this morning and just saw Shawn's family... it is amazing. Shawn truly is amazing to be there, I just can't even imagine.

 

[tevagirl]

I have goose bumps that won't go away. I can only imagine the joy the families are experiencing.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I watched the press conference this morning with tears streaming down my face. The pure joy in the parent's voices is just wonderful.

Maybe it is because I have a DS named Sean who is 15 that this story just hits too close too home. I can't imagine missing all the events for the past 4 years of his life.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I know one of the entries was "How long are you planning on searching for your son."

If that was written by Shawn, that just breaks my heart.

 

[tekmom]

I lurk on some crime forums and on the courttv forum someone posted the link to the Shawn Horbeck website guestbook. On December 1st there are two posts by a Shawn, one being a Shawn Devlin. One asks "how long are you planning to look for your son?" The other one is just by a 'Shawn' explaining that he wanted to write a poem for the Hornbeck family. Many wonder if it was Shawn that wrote it. There is also a link to a myspace type page (not on the guestbook post) and it does look like him. I wonder if he used Shawn as the lure to get Ben in the truck. So relieved for these families. God bless them. Hopefully this PIG will never see the light of day EVER again.

 

[SamRoc]

I saw the movie for this--and followed it through 2 additional people articles.

He married Jodi..

He ended up dying in a motorcycle crash.

How sad for him. He led such a tragic life. My heart broke for him when I first heard his story. Then this story has so many similarities to it. I just hope that both boys receive the counseling they need and are able to lead happy lives.

 

[lg3]

Ben was kidnapped in Franklin County and that is currently where the one charge of kidnapping is coming from. Shawn was kidnapped in Franklin County so I'm betting we will see another charge of kidnapping from Franklin County after they receive all of the investigation information. And then I bet we'll see child molestation charges (if they were molested) from St. Louis County where Kirkwood is.

This morning the parents of Shawn had a brief over the phone press conference. They just sound so relieved.
~Amanda

Actually I believe there are three different counties involved: Ben kidnapped in Franklin Co., Shawn kidnapped in Washington Co. and they were found in St. Louis Co. They only initially charged the suspect with one count from the Franklin Co. case. I guess they have to file charges seperately in the different counties.

 

[MamaLema]

I'm so happy these boys have been found. I hope justice will be served.

 

[snowy76]

Actually I believe there are three different counties involved: Ben kidnapped in Franklin Co., Shawn kidnapped in Washington Co. and they were found in St. Louis Co. They only initially charged the suspect with one count from the Franklin Co. case. I guess they have to file charges seperately in the different counties.

I also heard that essentially the one charge was all anyone needed to get the creep in jail for the time being -- a million dollars' bond -- basically, get him now and sort out the details later. Sounds like the police are allowing the boys to just spend some time with their families before they have to start answering a lot of questions.

 

[r3ngels]

Actually I believe there are three different counties involved: Ben kidnapped in Franklin Co., Shawn kidnapped in Washington Co. and they were found in St. Louis Co. They only initially charged the suspect with one count from the Franklin Co. case. I guess they have to file charges seperately in the different counties.

And they can get him on federal charges, the FBI said so it will be 4 different prosecuting teams. They are trying to get as many charges so he won't see the light of day again-- that is what the FBI said today.

I can't stop thinking about the boys.

 

[SamRoc]

Just saw on CNN that at first there was some confusion if the kidnapper of the boys was on the Missouri sexual predators list. At first they thought he was but tonight they said he was on the list in Utah. Obviously these predators cannot be tracked, they just move to another state. Definitely need tougher laws and much longer jail time for these creeps.

 

[r3ngels]

Just saw on CNN that at first there was some confusion if the kidnapper of the boys was on the Missouri sexual predators list. At first they thought he was but tonight they said he was on the list in Utah. Obviously these predators cannot be tracked, they just move to another state. Definitely need tougher laws and much longer jail time for these creeps.

I agree, how many predators will it take before we change the system... because I don't think it is working. Think about how many kids have been in the news lately that have been molested, kidnapped or killed by repeat offenders. It makes me sick and has turned me into a freak of a Mom... I almost had a panic attack being in public today and my girls where at my side.

 

[NotUrsula]

Originally posted by SAMROC:
Just saw on CNN that at first there was some confusion if the kidnapper of the boys was on the Missouri sexual predators list. At first they thought he was but tonight they said he was on the list in Utah. Obviously these predators cannot be tracked, they just move to another state.

This is incorrect information.

The Michael Devlin that was on the sex offenders registry in Utah is a different person; that was clarified in today's Post-Dispatch.

THIS Michael Devlin is a life-long resident of the St. Louis area who has never lived anywhere else, and has never previously been charged with anything more serious than a traffic violation.