This is probably the lowest most disgusting thing BOR has ever said

[Natalie Rose]

O'Reilly: Abducted child "liked ... his circumstances," had "a lot more fun" than usual

On the January 15 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, host Bill O'Reilly said of Shawn Hornbeck -- who was abducted at the age of 11, held for four years, and recently found in Missouri -- that "there was an element here that this kid liked about this circumstances" and that he "do[esn't] buy" "the Stockholm syndrome thing." O'Reilly also said: "The situation here for this kid looks to me to be a lot more fun than what he had under his old parents. He didn't have to go to school. He could run around and do whatever he wanted." When fellow Fox News host Greta Van Susteren pointed out that "[s]ome kids like school," O'Reilly replied: "Well, I don't believe this kid did."

What a disgusting excuse for a human being. I wonder if "running around and doing whatever he wanted" includes the daily sexual abuse that this child likely endured for 4 years.

On another note, I saw the Oprah interview with the Hornbeck family. Shawn is a deeply religious child and prayed for his family to find him every day. He didn't call his parents because he was absolutely terrified - his family had been threatened by his abductor.

I hope Fox does the right thing and ends his career.

[Magnolia]

Originally Posted by Natalie Rose

What a disgusting excuse for a human being. I wonder if "running around and doing whatever he wanted" includes the daily sexual abuse that this child likely endured for 4 years.

Have they indeed confirmed that he was sexually abused? The last I heard, Shawn had not talked at all.

Originally Posted by Natalie Rose

On another note, I saw the Oprah interview with the Hornbeck family. Shawn is a deeply religious child and prayed for his family to find him every day. He didn't call his parents because he was absolutely terrified - his family had been threatened by his abductor.

I've heard several people question this child's choices. As for me, I don't know what the truth is until Shawn tells it. But, I don't see how anyone can say what he should/should not have done or how she should/should not have acted until the details of his kidnapping and 4 year stay with his abductor are disclosed. Even if he had the freedom to escape, how many 11 year olds know what to do when they do get away? How do they know where the police station is? How do they know if they can trust another adult if he tells them he has been kidnapped....maybe they would tell his abductor who would then harm the child or his family?
On the other hand, I've seen a few things disclosed on articles that makes you wonder if Bill O'Reilly may have made some valid assessments. I would never have said that openly or without having the full story on what this kid endured. But, there seems to be some questionable things about the whole story.
I guess in the end, the best thing is that this kid is back with his family and that they have the peace of mind of having their child back home alive. Only the future will show how Shawn will turn out from all of this. I'm just greatful that these parents have their child back and that Shawn is no longer with his abductor and is safe at home. The circumstances/details and other people's pointless comments (like Bill O'Reilly) otherwise really are noise to me. Chalk one up for the good guys as far as I'm concerned. I'm greatful the kid wasn't returned in a body bag.

[Amy]

I actually saw that part of the show and cringed when he said that. I think he was out of line to say something so hurtful - regardless of any facts and circumstances that were surfacing in the media reports.

[marg]

Personally I don't think we - meaning the public - need to know any more details than we know now, especially whether or not he was sexually abused. That's for him, his parents and his therapists to deal with. And of course the police and the justice system. I wish there was some way to keep the trial out of the public eye. Poor kid, can you imagine what it must be like for him if it happened, with every person in America knowing about it? And speculating about should he/why didn't he, etc. So very sad.

And BOR is a pig, his comments shouldn't suprise anyone.

[notjustamom]

I really don't think it's appropriate for BOR, or anyone for that matter, to publicly slander a minor. It sickens me. There should be some kind of law preventing people from publicly slandering minors on TV or to the media.

[sheryl]

Originally Posted by marg

Personally I don't think we - meaning the public - need to know any more details than we know now, especially whether or not he was sexually abused. That's for him, his parents and his therapists to deal with. And of course the police and the justice system. I wish there was some way to keep the trial out of the public eye. Poor kid, can you imagine what it must be like for him if it happened, with every person in America knowing about it? And speculating about should he/why didn't he, etc. So very sad.

And BOR is a pig, his comments shouldn't suprise anyone.

Ditto, on both accounts.

I don't want to know. I just want the media to leave them all alone at this point.

I don't care what the circumstances are in this case. This is a child who was taken from his home, either willing or not. He is a child, an innocent child who was kidnapped. If he was molested, then he was raped. Even if he was willing. No difference. To say that at least he had some fun is disgusting, sadistic, and pathetic. We are talking about a kidnapped and possibly raped child. Just think if it were one of your own children he was talking about.

[JoanneNC]

He crossed a line - and should be called on it

[Magnolia]

Originally Posted by marg

Personally I don't think we - meaning the public - need to know any more details than we know now, especially whether or not he was sexually abused. That's for him, his parents and his therapists to deal with. And of course the police and the justice system. I wish there was some way to keep the trial out of the public eye. Poor kid, can you imagine what it must be like for him if it happened, with every person in America knowing about it? And speculating about should he/why didn't he, etc. So very sad.

I agree but everything I have read was speculation that he had been sexually abused and that is why I asked the question when Natalie Rose stated he had been abused daily.
The facts are that he was kidnapped and has been held for 4 years. Anything outside of that is all speculation at this point and I'm just trying to keep the facts straight since we are discussing it.

[Natalie Rose]

Originally Posted by Magnolia

I agree but everything I have read was speculation that he had been sexually abused and that is why I asked the question when Natalie Rose stated he had been abused daily.
The facts are that he was kidnapped and has been held for 4 years. Anything outside of that is all speculation at this point and I'm just trying to keep the facts straight since we are discussing it.

What I wrote is "the daily sexual abuse that this child likely endured for 4 years." I wrote "likely" because it has not been established. But let's be real here - what do you suppose the man kidnapped him for? Has there ever been one single account of a kidnap victim who was held and not tortured physically and emotionally? Do we know for sure it was sexual? No. We do know for 100% that this child was tortured psychologically (which can be far worse) and likely physically.

My God - this kid was taken from his parents and forced to live against his will with a monster who terrorized him for 4 years. What more needs to be said to give this kid the benefit of the doubt and give him our full compassion and support? (ETA this comment was directed towards idiot O'Reilly, not anyone here)

[LisaN]

Originally Posted by marg

Personally I don't think we - meaning the public - need to know any more details than we know now, especially whether or not he was sexually abused. That's for him, his parents and his therapists to deal with. And of course the police and the justice system. I wish there was some way to keep the trial out of the public eye. Poor kid, can you imagine what it must be like for him if it happened, with every person in America knowing about it? And speculating about should he/why didn't he, etc. So very sad.

And BOR is a pig, his comments shouldn't suprise anyone.

I agree. I saw parts of the Oprah show and thought the investigator made a great point when he said just asking "why didn't you . . ." to the child was automatically putting him, the victim, on the defensive.