Kidnapped Children Found Alive and Well: The Ben Owensby and Shawn Hornbeck Story

How many times can we honestly say that a kidnapped child is found alive? What a miracle it must be for two of them to be found alive! The story of missing children Ben Owensby and Shawn Hornbeck is something that will be talked about for years to come.

Four and a half years ago Shawn Hornbeck went missing while riding his bike down the street in Richwoods, Missouri. There were investigations to follow and searches for the missing boy, but nothing turned up. The community of Richwoods never gave up hope of finding Shawn, but as happens in most child abduction cases, the trail went cold.

Four years later Ben Owensby went missing from his bus stop in Beaufort, Missouri. It seemed that there was no evidence as to his disappearance, until a 15 year old boy came forward with information on an "odd truck" he had seen in their area the day of Ben's disappearance. It was this lead that only 5 days later led to the capture of Micheal Devlin, the kidnapper of both boys. Upon storming Mr. Devlin's apartment in Kirkwood Missouri the Police and FBI were astonished to find not only Ben Owensby who had been missing for five days but to have also found Shawn Hornbeck who had been missing for four and half years. The angels sang joyously in heaven on this day! Mr. Devlin was never under suspicion in the four plus years that he had Shawn in his custody, this is an amazing fact of it's own accord. It seems as though Mr. Devlin led a fairly normal yet quiet existence. He worked and managed a pizza chain in Missouri and was respected by many for his curtious manner.

The details as to how this was managed is yet to be revealed , but rest assured it will come to light soon. Today , with the boys reunited with their families, marks the beginning of a long recovery for both boys. Prayers were answered for both families on this icy weekend in Missouri. Charges on Mr. Devlin are not released as of yet, However he being held in the Franklin County Jail on a one million dollar bond. We can only hope that Justice will be found for both Shawn and Ben. This is yet another reminder for parents to keep a watchful eye on their children.