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William Ownby

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After being found with another missing boy, Shawn Hornbeck, William "Ben" Ownby has been returned safely to his family. Their alleged abductor faces kidnapping charges in both cases, and police say another missing child case is now on their radar with the same man as a possible suspect. »The Full Story



Last updated January 12, 2007

Related Links:

Shawn Hornbeck was recovered safely with Ben Ownby »
Police say Ben's kidnapping is similar to another boy's »

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Teen Disappears Steps From Home

In Beaufort, Missouri, searchers from the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and the FBI, along with local volunteers, scoured the area for some sign of missing teenager William "Ben" Ownby.  Authorities also pursued more than 500 leads, but turned up nothing.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, a day after Ben's disappearance, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department issued an Amber alert. Two FBI profilers were brought in to try to create a profile of Ben's abductor.

The investigation primarily focused on a beat-up white pickup truck, which police believe was the vehicle that Ben's kidnapper drove. 

Police Say Teenage Boy Abducted After School

It was a normal school day for 13-year-old William "Ben" Ownby. On Monday January 8, 2007, at around 3:30p., he got off his school bus and started to walk home. However, police say he never made it there.

A truck was seen in the area around the time of Ownby's disappearance. The vehicle was described as a Nissan or Chevrolet compact pickup with a camper shell and large rust spots on it. The truck was last seen Eastbound on Highway 50 from Beaufort, Mo.

Ben's parents say that he is a straight "A" student and a Boy Scout with a passion for books and computer games.

Associated Persons:




Related Links:

Shawn Hornbeck was recovered safely with Ben Ownby »
Police say Ben's kidnapping is similar to another boy's »

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Recovered

Jan 12, 2007
Alleged Abductor Faces Charges

13-year-old William "Ben" Ownby, who disappeared on Monday, January 8, 2007, was discovered Friday afternoon, January 12, at an apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri. He was found with Shawn Hornbeck, a teenager who had been missing since 2002.

Prosecutors have charged Michael Devlin with one count of kidnapping in the first degree in the abduction of Ben Ownby, and with two counts of kidnapping and armed criminal action in the abduction of Shawn Hornbeck.

Police are now looking at similarities between the kidnappings of Ben and Shawn, and the abduction of Charles Arlin Henderson in 1991. Henderson was taken while riding his bike in Moscow Mills when he was 11 years old. He's never been found.

White Truck Was A Red Flag
Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke says Thursday afternoon, Kirkwood Police Officers spotted a truck at the apartment that matched the vehicle a teen saw the day Ownby disappeared. Officers questioned Michael Devlin, and said he became increasingly agitated as they started to ask more specific questions. Police and FBI agents went to the apartment Friday morning after Devlin left for work, and that's when they found the two boys.


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Sex:
Male
Race:
White
Age at Disappearance:
13
Current Age:
16
Height:
4'10"
Weight:
100 lbs.
Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair):
  • Brown
Eyes:
  • Blue
  • Glasses
Last Seen:
  • Beaufort , MO
  • Schoolmates saw an unidentified man push Ben into a beatup white compact pickup truck
Other Possible Locations:
  • Beaufort , MO
Vehicle To Look For:
  • White compact truck possibly Nissan or Chevrolet pick up with camper shell and large rust spots on truck. Last seen eastbound on Highway 50 from Beaufort, Mo.
Related Links:
Shawn Hornbeck was recovered safely with Ben Ownby »
Police say Ben's kidnapping is similar to another boy's »

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Photos

Media Photo William Ben Ownby as he s escorted by police just after his rescue from a home in Kirkwood Mo missing children,William Ownby
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William "Ben" Ownby as he's escorted by police just after his rescue from a home in Kirkwood, Mo.

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