Update and Recent Photos of Jaycee Dugard

October 16th, 2009

Recent Photo Of Jaycee Dugard

Ever since Jaycee Dugard was found almost two months ago, after being missing for 18 years, one of the biggest questions on people’s minds has been what she looks like now. When she was first found, reports described her as looking very young for a 29-year-old, but until now, no recent photos of her had been released. Jaycee allowed People Magazine to take some recent photos of her, including the one on the cover of their latest issue, as well as several others of her with her family inside the magazine.

Although Jaycee did not provide an interview for the magazine, she did issue a statement in which she said, “I’m so happy to be back with my family. Nothing is more important than the unconditional love and support I have from them.” Her decision to allow the photos to be taken was to show the world that she is doing well. According to family spokeswoman Erika Price Shulte, “She wants to thank everyone for their support and best wishes and to let people see that this is her.”

According to the article, Jaycee and her daughters, Angel, 15, and Starlit, 11, are living in seclusion with Jaycee’s mother, Terry Probyn. This time, though, their seclusion is by choice. Jaycee continues to get to know her mother and 19-year-old sister, Shayna, better each day. Describing the reunited family, Shulte says, ”There’s a lot of laughing.” Joan Curry, Jaycee’s stepgrandmother acknowledges, “Jaycee’s realistic. She knows this is not going to be the easiest road that she’s ever traveled,” but also adds, “She is just very upbeat, giddy that she’s with her family.” The family’s attorney, McGregor Scott, says, “She smiles a lot.” Therapy for Jaycee and her daughters includes horseback riding sessions organized by her therapist, who also rides along with them. Terry and Shayna also join the riding sessions. The purpose of the horseback riding sessions is to instill trust into their relationships. Jaycee’s stepfather, Carl Probyn, has not seen Jaycee or her daughters since their return.

Jaycee also allowed her daughters to be photographed, but from the back only. Given her circumstances, it’s easy to see that she would be protective of her children, who may change their names as part of an effort to make a fresh start. Another issue they are addressing for the girls, who Curry describes as “very bright” and ” intelligent,” is their lack of a formal education, although the results of a recent battery test reveal that Angel appears to be functioning at almost the level of a high school senior. Despite the fact that Jaycee herself was never schooled past the fifth grade, when she was abducted, it is remarkable that the girls have learned as much as they have. Curry says, “They’re really pretty much at grade level on everything. This has been such a miracle — that Jaycee was able to do all that she’s done under those circumstances just tells us what a strong woman she is and how extremely intelligent she is.” Currently, the girls are being tutored at home in the usual subjects, including math and English.

As for abductors Philip and Nancy Garrido, they are awaiting a hearing on October 29. Kidnapping, false imprisonment, and rape are among the 29 charges they face. They remain imprisioned in Placerville, CA in separate cells with doors containing small windows. They are allowed three hours of time in the yard each week and eat all their meals in their cells. This time around, they are the ones who are being forcibly held. According to Scott, “Jaycee understands and appreciates that some absolutely terrible things were done to her and fully appreciates that those people need to be held accountable, and as a result of that she is fully cooperating with the law enforcement agencies involved in the prosecution”. He says, “Jaycee is fully prepared to testify if necessary.”

Despite all that’s happened and the long road ahead of her, Shulte says Jaycee, “is never looking back.” Instead of focusing on the past, she has chosen to focus on the future and is, “more excited about what is ahead.” As for what she plans to do in the future, Shulte states, “They are just taking things one day at a time.” One thing is for sure: “She wants to have a home with her girls, and a happy, quiet, normal life.”