Mail Call: Home At Long Last

Mystery of a Strange Captivity and Rescue

Readers of our cover story about the abductions of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby were grateful for the boys' safe return, but many were concerned that excess publicity might inhibit their recovery. "They're already forever linked emotionally with their kidnapper because he forced his way into their lives. I shivered when I saw their three faces on your cover," wrote one. "Can you imagine returning to school knowing the whole world has read about your alleged molestation and your failure to escape it?" added another. Several questioned why neighbors didn't call police after hearing suspicious noises, and many bristled at any notion that Shawn stayed willingly. "It's a real psychological minefield. He was probably desperate for someone to notice so the abuse would end, but also terrified to be discovered," said a woman who survived a "six-year ordeal" during childhood. "His family may never know why he remained silent all those years."

As a school psychologist who works with adolescents, I appreciated your Jan. 29 cover story about alleged kidnapper Michael Devlin ("Living With Evil"). While reading about the nightmare of this kidnapping, nothing gave me pause more than the report by an upstairs neighbor who heard "weird sounds, like whimpering, screaming and pleading" that seemed like Shawn Hornbeck was trying to get his kidnapper to "stop doing something." There is a strong taboo in our society about being a "rat." We're told to mind our own business. It is time to be reminded that where children are concerned, the rules are different. A 24-hour, toll-free anonymous child-abuse hot line exists for the protection of children. Reporting abuse need only be based on suspicion, and no proof is required. Those of us who work in schools are "mandated reporters." But all of us need to share this responsibility and trust that if something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.

Ondine G. Gross, M.S.

Champaign, Ill.

I am married, have a wonderful son and own a successful business. I, too, was kidnapped by a sexual predator at a park when I was 10 years old. I was blindfolded and taken to an apartment somewhere in downtown Los Angeles. My kidnapper told me of another boy he kidnapped and "adopted," and that he'd had a "wonderful" and "sexual" relationship with him. He made it clear this was his plan for me. He showed me pictures and presented how he was kindhearted and "loved" the boy as his own. I remember asking myself how this boy could have smiled in the pictures. But in my desperation for everything to be over, I remember starting to accept my kidnapper's lies and what might become my lot in life. I cried and prayed through the night--every moment that he was not molesting me. The next morning, as the man went into a deep sleep, I recall the terror of putting on his robe and slowly lifting the door latch. I knew I needed to run ... and run I did. I got away. Mine was a terror of 24 hours, while Shawn Hornbeck's was four years. It is important that people recognize Shawn as a victim and not judge or ask why he didn't escape. In fact, Shawn would never have been allowed to ride his bike or play with friends until the evil work of his perpetrator was effective and significant enough to convince his captor of safety. My hope is that Shawn and his family are not "abused" again by a society that cannot understand their tragedy.