Abductions spur big turnout here for kiddie ID program

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jan. 30, 2007

Adam Busby of O'Fallon, Mo., had his three children, including eight-month old Lilly (who he is holding) participate in the Missouri Child Identification Program event at the Webster Grove Masonic Temple on Saturday. (Laurie Skrivan/P-D)

Parents shaken by recent news of local kidnappings took precautions Saturday to safeguard their children.

Nearly 800 children in south St. Louis County had dental molds made and DNA samples collected, and were photographed and fingerprinted as part of the Missouri Child Identification Program.

The Freemasons coordinate these free events for the public throughout the state. Organizers had planned Sunday's events at the Masonic Lodge in Webster Groves and at Ronnie's 20 Cine on South Lindbergh Boulevard in South County well before the much publicized recovery of missing boys William "Ben" Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck in nearby Kirkwood.

"You think, 'It can't happen to me,' until something happens close to home, then the reality sets in," said Margaret Green, 50, of St. Louis, who brought her grandson.

The program records vital information about a child — such as digital photos and fingerprints — on a CD organizers give to parents. The authorities can use the CD later if a child should be abducted or become lost. Experts say that in a crisis, parents have a hard time recalling an accurate height and weight of their child. They may waste valuable time searching for a current photo to distribute to the media and law enforcement.

Karl Fiebich, 38, of Webster Groves, said he didn't realize his 2-year-old had grown to more than 3 feet tall until they measured him at the Masonic Lodge Saturday. Many parents may not collect such information because just considering such a scenario makes them uneasy, and Fiebich said the event did make him a little nervous.

"It's not something you want to think about," he said.

Emotions were still raw when some participants talked about Hornbeck's four-year-long abduction.

"As a parent, it just breaks your heart," said Dean Hartmann, 43, of Glendale, his voice breaking. Many people, who may have driven by the apartment complex where Shawn was kept, said they wondered if they had seen him — unaware of who he really was.

Christie Rawie, 36, drove from St. Peters with her three children. She said recent news gave her a sense of urgency about having the information on hand. Jane Foshee, 40, of Manchester, waited in line with her 5-year-old son and tried to hold a squirming 22-month-old boy as she inched through the long lines.

"I'd wait for this," she said.

Kim Schneider, 31, of Webster Groves, said the rescue of Ben and Shawn prompted her to come with her 8-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter.

"That's why I'm here, to hopefully keep them safe, and if anything happens, to bring them home," she said.