Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 5, 2008 8:45:12 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

'Missouri Miracle,' 1 Year Later

Posted Jan 11, 08 2:50 PM CST in Crime & Courts,  US 

(Newser) – A year has passed since police cracked the 4-day-old kidnapping case of Ben Ownby, and with it, astonishingly, the 4-year-old case of Shawn Hornbeck. After police found both boys alive and brought their kidnapper to justice, the feel-good tale became known as the “Missouri Miracle.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in a year later and finds both teens doing well.

The Ownby family is happily reunited, though Ben, 14, won’t discuss his ordeal. "That will come when he wants it," said his mom. Shawn, 16, is almost caught up in school. Kidnapper Michael Devlin is serving 74 life sentences. The teen who cracked the case, has become a minor celebrity, as has the sheriff. "It gives you hope that there's always a chance," he said.

Source St. Louis Post-Dispatch

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 'Rockefeller' In-Law: Con Man Wed and Fled

    Aug 11, 08 11:24 AM CDT
    'Rockefeller' In-Law: Con Man Wed and Fled Alleged kidnapper and con artist Clark Rockefeller tricked a Wisconsin woman into marrying him in 1981 and then bolted with his new green card, the bride's sister told the Boston Herald. “He tells stories and takes advantage of people,” she said. “He screws with people’s heads.”
    More »

  • German Man: 'Rockefeller' Is My Brother

    Aug 8, 08 12:20 PM CDT
    A German man has identified mysterious con artist Clark Rockefeller as his long-lost brother, the Boston Globe reports. Shown photos of the accused kidnapper, Alexander Gerhartsreiter identified him as Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who left Germany in a student exchange program in 1978 and hasn’t been heard from since 1985. “It’s quite shocking,” he said. “I don’t know what to say.” More »

  • 'Rockefeller' Prints Linked to Calif. Murder Case

    Aug 5, 08 1:35 PM CDT
    'Rockefeller' Prints Linked to Calif. Murder Case Fingerprints taken from kidnapper dad Clark Rockefeller reveal a connection to a decade-old California murder case, the Boston Globe reports. Prints taken after his arrest Saturday in Baltimore match those on a driver’s license application under another alias—which in turn is on a list of those wanted in connection with the California homicide.
    More »

  • FBI Collars Alleged 'Snooks' Kidnapper

    Aug 2, 08 6:48 PM CDT
    FBI Collars Alleged 'Snooks' Kidnapper A week-long manhunt ended today as authorities arrested Clark Rockefeller, 48, and found the daughter he is accused of kidnapping, the Boston Herald reports. Seven-year-old Reigh "Snooks" Boss was reportedly "overjoyed" when FBI agents and police rescued her from Rockefeller's Baltimore apartment. Agents had been watching them for days based on a real estate agent's tip, the Baltimore Sun reports.
    More »

  • Child Spotted in Caribbean Isn't Snooks

    Aug 1, 08 4:28 PM CDT
    Child Spotted in Caribbean Isn't Snooks Clark Rockefeller and his abducted daughter have not been spotted in the Caribbean, the Boston Globe reports. A report that the mysterious man and 7-year-old Reigh "Snooks" Boss were seen twice on Turks and Caicos was not credible, Boston police said today. The child was snatched Sunday; police say her hair may have been cut to look more like a boy’s.
    More »

Shawn Hornbeck blows out the candles on his birthday cake after a charity golf tournament to benefit the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Madison, Ill. The foundation focuses on preventing...   (Associated Press)
Ben Ownby, left, stands next to his father William Ownby in the living room of their home in a Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 file photo in Beaufort, Mo. after Ben, 13, was reunited with his parents after being...   (Associated Press)
Michael Devlin is escorted out of the Franklin County Courthouse, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in Union, Mo. Devlin pleaded guilty in Franklin County to one charge of child kidnapping and one count of armed-criminal...   (Associated Press)
Michael Devlin is escorted out of a van and into the Franklin County Courthouse Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in Union, Mo. Devlin is expected to plead guilty to charges he kidnapped and sexually abused Ben Ownby,...   (Associated Press)
This undated file handout photo provided by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department shows Michael Devlin, 41. Prosecutors filed seven additional charges, including attempted murder, against a former...   (Associated Press)
Shawn Hornbeck and his mother, Pam Akers, listen as a birthday wish for him is read during a charity golf tournament to benefit the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation, Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Madison, Ill....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

crime  • kidnapping  • Missouri  • miracle


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »