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Devlin will make first court appearance today; Hornbeck, family on 'Oprah'

Kidnapping suspect Michael Devlin (above) and Shawn Hornbeck, as he appeared during an interview with Oprah Winfrey (photo from oprah.com)
Kidnapping suspect Michael Devlin (above) and Shawn Hornbeck, as he appeared during an interview with Oprah Winfrey (photo from oprah.com)

By KWMU

St. Louis, MO – The man accused of kidnapping two boys who were found last week will make his first court appearance this morning (Thursday).

The court appearance in Franklin County is related to the kidnapping of Ben Ownby; it comes a day after Michael Devlin was charged in Washington County with kidnapping Shawn Hornbeck four years ago.

Washington County Sheriff Kevin Schroeder says it's impossible for anyone to put themselves in Shawn's shoes.

"This is something that is so bizarre that the normal individual cannot grasp what this then 11-year old boy went through. There is no way that anybody can project what he should have, could have or would have done," said Schroeder.

Prosecutors say Devlin kidnapped Shawn at gunpoint more than four years ago.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey that's set to air today, Shawn reportedly says he was terrified during the years away and prayed his family would find him.

KWMU's Matt Sepic prepared a report for NPR's Morning Edition on Thursday. To hear that report, click here.

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