Michael Devlin
Michael Devlin is currently serving 74 life sentences plus 170 years for the 2002 kidnapping of Shawn Hornbeck and the 2007 kidnapping of Ben Ownby. Devlin will spend the rest of his life in solitary confinement.
Fast Facts
- Born: November 19, 1965
- Raised: Webster Groves, Missouri
- Date arrested: January 12, 2007
- Date convicted and sentenced: October 8, 2007
- Sentence: 74 life sentences plus 170 years
First Abduction
Devlin abducted 11-year old Shawn Hornbeck on October 6, 2002 and brought him back to his suburban St. Louis home where he sexually abused him. For a month, Devlin tied Hornbeck to a futon before driving him to a rural location in Missouri with the intention of strangling him to death. Hornbeck begged Devlin not to kill him, and promised Devlin that he would pose as his son. Devlin agreed, and for four years, Hornbeck lived in Devlin's home under the threat of death should he try to escape.
Second Abduction
In January of 2007, Devlin kidnapped another child, 13-year old Ben Ownby. Four days later, police, searching for Ownby, discovered him at Devlin's home, and also discovered Hornbeck. At the time of his discovery, Hornbeck had been missing for more than four years. Ownby had been missing for four days.
Arrest and Conviction
The police arrested Devlin, who initially pleaded not guilty to charges of child kidnapping. In October, 2007, Devlin agreed to plead guilty to charges of child kidnapping, forcible sodomy, and attempted murder. He was sentenced to 74 life sentences plus 170 years.
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