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Until 2013, the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was a non-profit charitable organization based in Richwoods, Missouri, devoted to the search for and rescue of abducted children. It ran the Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team.
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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. He had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin.
The Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team was a member of NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) and a member of SARCOM (Search and Rescue Council of Missouri). It was 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, Missouri, home on October 6, 2002.
Shortly after Hornbeck's disappearance, his parents appeared on The Montel Williams Show, where self-described psychic Sylvia Browne told the Akers that Hornbeck 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 Beaufort, Missouri. Aided by a descriptive tip from teenager Mitchell Hults of Beaufort, Missouri, police searched Michael J. Devlin's apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri. 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 imprisonment.
Akers' involvement
Shortly after the rescue 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. Hornbeck 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.