Shawn Hornbeck Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization
based in Richwoods
, Missouri
, devoted to the search for and rescue of abducted children. It runs the Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team.
The rescue team was founded by Pam and Craig Akers following the disappearance of their son Shawn Hornbeck. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. Shawn Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007.
The Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team is a member of NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) and a member of SARCOM (Search and Rescue Council of Missouri). It is also involved with the National Search Dog Association.
, home on October 6, 2002.
Shortly after Shawn's disappearance, his parents appeared on The Montel Williams Show
, where self-described psychic Sylvia Browne
told the Akers that Shawn was dead. Browne also described the abduction
, telling them several things about the abductor that later proved to be incorrect.
Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007. Police were searching for a 13-year-old, recently missing boy, Ben Ownby of Union, Missouri
. Aided by a descriptive tip from teenager Mitchell Hults of Union, Missouri
, police searched Michael J. Devlin
's apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri
. Hornbeck and Ownby were both found there.
.
Shawn is attending community college and has shown an interest in studying fields where he could work with children, such as psychology or social work. He gave advice to the family of kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard, saying she needed time alone and that the impact of such events was life-changing and not easily comprehended by those who have not been directly affected by such occurrences. He continues to make appearances on behalf of the foundation and for other events, years after his ordeal.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
based in Richwoods
Richwoods, Missouri
Richwoods is an unincorporated community in northern Washington County, Missouri, United States founded in 1830. It is located just off Route 47 about fifteen miles west of De Soto and nineteen miles south of St. Clair.- 911 :...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, devoted to the search for and rescue of abducted children. It runs the Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team.
The rescue team was founded by Pam and Craig Akers following the disappearance of their son Shawn Hornbeck. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. Shawn Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007.
The Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team is a member of NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) and a member of SARCOM (Search and Rescue Council of Missouri). It is also involved with the National Search Dog Association.
History
The Akers founded the Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team following the disappearance of their son Shawn Hornbeck. Hornbeck was eleven years old when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his Richwoods, MissouriRichwoods, Missouri
Richwoods is an unincorporated community in northern Washington County, Missouri, United States founded in 1830. It is located just off Route 47 about fifteen miles west of De Soto and nineteen miles south of St. Clair.- 911 :...
, home on October 6, 2002.
Shortly after Shawn's disappearance, his parents appeared on The Montel Williams Show
The Montel Williams Show
The Montel Williams Show is a syndicated talk show hosted by Montel Williams. On January 30, 2008 it was announced that The Montel Williams Show would stop production on new episodes at the end of the 2007-2008 television season after seventeen years...
, where self-described psychic Sylvia Browne
Sylvia Browne
Sylvia Browne is an American author who describes herself as a psychic and spiritual medium...
told the Akers that Shawn was dead. Browne also described the abduction
Kidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
, telling them several things about the abductor that later proved to be incorrect.
Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007. Police were searching for a 13-year-old, recently missing boy, Ben Ownby of Union, Missouri
Union, Missouri
Union is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,204 at the 2010 census making Union the fastest growing community in Franklin County, Missouri. It is located on the Bourbeuse River. The city was founded in 1827 and is named after the...
. Aided by a descriptive tip from teenager Mitchell Hults of Union, Missouri
Union, Missouri
Union is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,204 at the 2010 census making Union the fastest growing community in Franklin County, Missouri. It is located on the Bourbeuse River. The city was founded in 1827 and is named after the...
, police searched Michael J. Devlin
Michael J. Devlin
Michael John Devlin is an American criminal convicted of kidnapping and child sexual abuse. He is currently serving three life sentences at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri.- Early life :...
's apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...
. Hornbeck and Ownby were both found there.
Prosecution
In June 2007, Devlin was charged with 78 counts in the abductions and molestations of Hornbeck and Ownby. On October 8, 2007, Devlin pleaded guilty to all charges filed against him and was sentenced to life imprisonmentLife imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
.
Akers' involvement
Shortly after the recovery of Shawn Hornbeck, his parents announced their withdrawal from active involvement with the foundation. Its operation would be headed by family friend and co-founder Chris Diamond. The Akers have since returned to participation.Shawn is attending community college and has shown an interest in studying fields where he could work with children, such as psychology or social work. He gave advice to the family of kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard, saying she needed time alone and that the impact of such events was life-changing and not easily comprehended by those who have not been directly affected by such occurrences. He continues to make appearances on behalf of the foundation and for other events, years after his ordeal.