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 Sunday, Oct. 6th, 2002-Shawn Hornbeck, as he had done before, leaves his Richwoods home on his bike, heading over to see a friend. The then 11-year-old boy does not come home, and a massive search begins.
Friday, Oct. 11, 2002: The first few days, searchers thought he may have been injured on his bike, or may be lost. By the end of the week, the theory shifts to the assumption that he was likely abducted, and authorities scale back the search of the area where he was last seen.
Sat, Oct. 19th, 2002: The father of another child who had disappeared, Marc Klaas, visits the parents of Shawn Hornbeck. His daughter, Polly, had been abducted, then found murdered in California. Marc Klaas and his foundation held a child safety day, taking pictures and fingerprints of kids at the safety event. From the beginning, the Hornbecks, too, worked to help other missing children—and to help keep children from disappearing.
Thurs, Nov. 7th, 2002: Authorities drain a nearby lake, but find no clues. It’s revealed that police have been questioning 7 suspects, but with no solid leads.
Sunday, Nov. 17th, 2002: The search is halted as deer season begins. It being 6 weeks after the disappearance, the family doesn’t want to jeopardize volunteers in the wooded areas of Washington County.
Monday, Jan 13th, 2003: Shawn’s picture goes out on nationwide postcard.
Wednesday, Feb 26th, 2003: Psychics have been providing tips, but none seem to pan out. Shawn’s parents appear on Montel with psychic Sylvia Browne, but she gets them no closer to finding their son.
Wednesday, March 12th, 2003: Elizabeth Smart is rescued. The news of her safe return gives Shawn’s parents hope. Craig Akers talked about a call he got that day, and how news of her return helped them keep going.
Saturday, July 17th, 2003: A bench, one in a series of benches highlight missing children’s cases, is dedicated with Shawn’s picture on it. His parents helped push to get the benches made for missing children.
Tuesday, Oct 7, 2003: One year later, the day starts like the previous 364: with a search that brings no solid clues.
Thursdsay, Oct 7, 2004: A second year has passed.
 Friday Oct 7, 2005: A third year has passed.
Saturday, Oct 7, 2006: Now 4 years after Shawn’s disappearance, his parents have not given up hope. An age progressed photograph is released, a computer composite of what Shawn may look like.
 Monday, Jan 8th, 2007: Ben Ownby disappears after getting off the school bus near his home in Beaufort, in Franklin County. His friend, Mitchell Hults, tells police he saw a white truck speeding away from the spot where he last saw Ben.
Tuesday, Jan 9th: Police issue a nationwide Amber Alert for Ben. The Amber Alert system was not in place when Shawn Hornbeck was abducted.
Wednesday, Jan. 10th: The search continues, but no leads panning out so far.
Thursday, Jan 11th: Ben’s parents appear on television, asking for the safe return of their son. Unbeknownst to them, Ben has been watching tv coverage from the Kirkwood apartment. Also Thursday night, Kirkwood police and Geoff Hadler, a neighbor in an apartment complex, notice the white truck of Michael Devlin. Police are made more suspicious after talking to Devlin. They alert the FBI and Franklin County police.
Friday, Jan 12th: Authorities find Ben Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck in the Kirkwood apartment.
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