Parents tell Oprah they think kidnapped son was molested

[Herman Munster]

What the hell is the point of going on Oprah and answering questions like this?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_re_us/boys_found_investigation

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey on a show that aired Thursday, Shawn's parents said they have not asked their son what happened on the advice of child advocacy experts.

"OK, I'm going to go there and ask you, what do you think happened? Do you think he was sexually abused?" Winfrey asked Shawn's parents, Craig and Pam Akers.

Both nodded and said, "Yes."

While it is The Associated Press' policy not to identify alleged victims of sexual abuse in most cases, Shawn's case has been widely publicized and his name is well-known. Also, the family has maintained a high public profile, conducting several interviews — including the one in which the sexual abuse issue came up.

Shawn's grandmother, Anna Quinn of St. Louis, told the AP Thursday that the boy has not spoken Devlin's name, and that he has said little to relatives about what he went through. But Shawn did tell his family that at times during his captivity, he would be awakened every 45 minutes by his captor.

"Think to yourself when you don't get enough sleep," Quinn said. "He had to do something to get his cooperation."

Shawn, who had dark floppy hair and piercings in his face when he was found, had a cleaner look in a taped interview with Winfrey. He said he always hoped for a reunion with his family.

[AlCzervik]

1. maybe to dispel things that people like Blowhole O'Reilly and others of his

ilk have been saying abouth their son?

[AZBlue]

2. Devlin was good at manipulation.

Sleep deprivation is a method used by cults and anyone else who wants to wear down your resistance. Don't think that's related to the possible molestation though.

[ariellyn]

3. I briefly saw both boys and noticed that their demeanors were very similar

They both sat with their shoulders hunched, heads down with no eye contact while their parents were interviewed in separate settings indicating abuse to me. Not necessarily sexual abuse but it is obvious they were mistreated. Very sad. I know most people wonder what Oprah asked about sexual abuse, how could you not wonder. But I don't think the parents should confirm it because these kids don't need the burden of that stigma after whatever they've been through.

[tuvor]

4. Oprah's all over it in a split-second, I see.

Thoughtful questions and everything. :eyes:

[JackBeck]

5. Yeah, we watched this and thought that it was to soon to be asking these questions.

For me, and I love Oprah, I thought she was going to far in asking the question to the parents about sexual molestation.

Especially after she had set-up the prior questions with trying the respect how the family doesn't know what had happened to their son. And then stating that she understood that Shaun will tell his parents when he's ready. They were going to wait until Shaun had the opportunity to feel comfortable about talking about the last four and a half years.

But Oprah kept on prodding about how America and the world was interested and intrigued in what had happened, like she was trying to get the exclusive story, before anyone else.

[tuvor]

6. "America and the world are interested"?

Did she really say that? That's hardly justification to encourage them to talk about things they don't know.

[JackBeck]

10. That was disappointing.

Especially after the parents said that they wanted Shaun to take his time to tell them what had happened to him

[cwydro]

15. I completely agree.

I can't believe they put him on TV. The Elizabeth Smart family set a better example I think.

[msongs]

7. gee maybe oprah will show videos....whatta sack she is

ya think she is already waving $$ for the movie rights?

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Mabus]

8. What did Oprah hope to gain by inviting them on? Ratings?

It's one thing to have a show talking about the kidnapping and holding children but it is another thing to ask a recently found kid and his parents on her show. Will the appearance affect future prosecution? I mean, it just doesn't make any sense.

[JackBeck]

11. The FBI did their best to make sure the families didn't appear together.

And kept Oprah from asking and questions that would harm the investigation.

[Mabus]

12. It looks like she's exploiting a child who had been exploited for 4+ years

but, truthfully, I'm not a big Oprah fan but I have friends that are huge fans.

I understand a lot of people like her and I understand she does a lot of good. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while. I think this may have been one of hers. Then again, I could be totally wrong. I'm not really sure what goes on with daytime television anymore. I usually watch MSNBC or CNN. If the news is pretty monotonous then I turn on an old movie or listen to music.

[helderheid]

9. I have no problem with this.

being someone who was sexually abused as a child.

[OneBlueSky]

13. that kid was still in such obvious pain . . . putting him in front of cameras less than a week . . .

after he was returned home was disgraceful . . . shame on Oprah for putting ratings ahead of the kid's welfare, and on his parents for allowing it . . . and kudos to the parents of the other kid who kept him OFF camera . . .

[pnwmom]

14. I bet molesting the older boy was part of how Devlin controlled him.

And that this also explained why the boy didn't try to contact his parents, except indirectly.

Devlin probably convinced him that the molestation was his fault, that it meant Shawn was gay, and that his family and friends would reject him if they knew about it. After 4 years with this monster, Devlin probably was ashamed to face his family again.