Press release: Sheriff Toelke responds to new information in Ownby/Hornbeck case

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(KMOV) -- Authorities close to the case tell News 4, that Shawn Hornbeck was forced to help kidnap Ben Ownby.

News 4 has now learned even more about Shawn's role.

Police say that Michael Devlin grabbed Ben Ownby after the boy got off his school bus, but News 4 has learned that Devlin had help.

Law enforcement sources say that it was Shawn Hornbeck, a kidnapping victim himself, that grabbed Ben on the rural road to his home and then pushed him into the truck used to abduct him.

Those sources tell News 4 that Hornbeck was forced to push the boy to the floorboard of the white Nissan truck. We’ve also learned that Ben was held with a gun and duct tape.

Pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Robin Park says that Devlin would have had to desensitize and brainwash the Shawn for months to get him to do something so clearly wrong.

Police speculate that in Devlin’s eyes, Shawn, at age 15, was getting too old.

Devlin may have struck a deal with Shawn to help get a new victim. This did not surprise the expert.

Hornbeck's family attorney says that Shawn will in no way be prosecuted for his involvement in the crime. The experts feel sympathy for a child who would go to such lengths.

The Hornbeck’s family attorney won't yet talk about Shawn’s involvement in the Ownby kidnapping. He says that Shawn is now in intensive therapy, helping to undo four years of brainwashing, as well as deal with other abuse.

Devlin will be arraigned for the Hornbeck kidnapping Friday morning in Washington County.

Authorities in St. Louis County are expected to file charges soon, related to crimes that occurred in the Devlin apartment.