Update on Jaycee Lee Dugard: Child Found After Being Abducted 18 Years Ago

Due to the response I received on my article covering the finding of Jaycee Lee Dugard, I decided to post an update on her story, since it is something that affects parents everywhere.  With so many stories that have tragic endings, it’s uplifting to report a story that has a happy ending.  

People Magazine is featuring Jaycee on the cover of their September 14, 2009 issue.  I’ve included quotes and information from their article below. 

Living Under The Radar

Pictures depicting Jaycee’s living conditions show a shanty-like array of disheveled tents and shacks with trash and debris littering the area.  Trees and tarps obstructed part of the backyard, keeping the tents hidden from view.  Although they were isolated from the outside world, Jaycee and the girls still had access to electricity and modern conveniences such as a TV, microwave, and a Wii console.  Cheyvonne Molina, who owns an auto yard in the area, was acquainted with Jaycee’s daughters and even invited them to her 16-year-old daughter’s birthday party weeks before Jaycee was discovered.  She describes the girls as ”fit(ting) right in” with the other kids at the party, ”talking about Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus.  I never say any red flags.” 

Neither did many of his neighbors, who were unaware of any children at the residence, including a man living next door who would regularly mow his yard and do work near Garrido’s property, but reports never hearing anything except cats.  In November 2006, a separate neighbor called the police complaining of people living in tents behind Garrido’s house, but the officer who visited the location failed to enter the house or probe the area behind it.

A detective searches the backyard area on the Garrido property

Why She Didn’t Come Forward Sooner

While it may be hard to believe, Jaycee bonded with her captors, who referred to her as “Allissa,”  perhaps possibly due to her young age.  At some point it is assumed that her defense mechanisms kicked in, fueled by her will to survive.  Another famous abductee, Shawn Hornbeck, who was also abducted at age 11 and recovered four years later, explains, “You’re brainwashed.  It’s as simple as that.  It’s like you are on autopilot, only someone is controlling all the switches.”   Shawn’s parents credit extensive therapy to getting him back to himself.

How Jaycee Was Found

Kudos to University of California, Berkeley’s police department staff for recognizing something was amiss when Garrido visited their campus looking to obtain a permit to preach and spread his religious views.  UCPD manager of special events Lisa Campbell observed that the girls he brought with him, “were nonresponsive; they didn’t have the energy that children of their age generate.”  Ally Jacobs, the security officer Campbell called in, described the girls as monotone and robotic.  Per campus policy, Jacobs ran a background check on Garrido and discovered his previous criminal record, which prompted a call to Garrido’s parole officer.  When Garrido was summoned to a Concord, CA parole office, he not only brought the girls, but also his wife and another woman he called “Allissa”.  When escorted to a separate room, Allissa revealed she was actually Jaycee Lee Dugard.  Garrido and his wife, Nancy, have been arrested and charged on 29 counts, including kidnapping, rape, and false imprisonment.  Garrido is also under suspision in the deaths of several prostitutes in the area, causing some to speculate that he was also a serial killer.

Back At Home

Jaycee, who is being described as looking very pail and young for her age, is currently living with her mother in Antioch, CA.  She is in the process of getting reacquainted with her family, including her younger sister, Shana, who is now in college.  Jaycee retains custody of her children, Starlit, 15, and Angel, 11, and all are undergoing various medical and psychological evaluations, including a DNA test to verify Jaycee’s identity.  The children were apparently unaware that their mother had ever been kidnapped, and are equally confused as to why, “Daddy,” Phillip Garrido has been arrested. 

Rumor has it that Jaycee has been contacted by Oprah Winfrey regarding an appearance on her show.

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