Remembering the Chowchilla Kidnapping | Full Episode
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- čas přidán 23. 03. 2023
- Twenty-six school children were abducted by three men and buried alive in a trailer. Inside their daring escape. "48 Hours" contributor David Begnaud reports. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV.
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Two 5y🎉😂5
@@TerryH-vo5tz hà
@@TerryH-vo5tz w
4
You know my story never made it to the news because no one ever got caught doing the horrible things that happened to me. Nice story went completely untold all my stupid life I've suffered in silence and all alone and even my sister refuses to believe what happened because I protected her through all of it. My mother protected her. I was treated however like a ball of hamburger to distract ravenous pitbulls. I can relate to the Jody woman the most except that I've also learned the power of forgiveness. In all honesty I believe that's why people hate Christianity the most is because Christianity puts the most emphasis on forgiveness and that is in the mines and eyes and hearts of most people an inexcusable atrocity. Forgiveness is essential integral it works and must be employed. Look at the two stories in this the man and the woman at the end he never forgave she never forgave and they suffered and one died very young at only 55 but the one man who did forgive has found, although it still hurts and it's still sorrow, peace; and he won't die from hypertension.
Imagine being Ed Ray.... the ONLY adult in that situation... knowing the extent of their situation and hearing 26 children cry and shake in fear...
Truly unbelievable 😢
Yeah, I am shaking just watching this, knowing how it ended. I can’t even imagine how this man felt there.
whats sad is they probably kept the bus driver alive to try and keep the children calm … if the bus driver aka the only adult suddenly vanished they would be even more terrified.
@@valennovus1632 that’s a really good point. the entire time i was waiting for the next event to be ed’s death, i was like it’s clear they wanted a number of children, what value does one adult have? didn’t even think of the point you made, but totally agree with you now.
Ed Ray passed away in 2012 at the age of 91. He literally is a hero. I don't know this man but I feel so proud of him for his actions. He really made a difference.
Right and you know at first everyone thought it was him
I'm appalled that in 1976 a reporter would ask these traumatized kids "how does it feel to be a movie star?" 🤦♀️ What is wrong with this world??
It's even worse now.
Just trying to make her feel better. He was totally off base, but people didn’t know then what we know now.
Adults say dumb things when they're not sure what to say. When the three women who'd been held captive did the years were finally going home, one reporter (on air in the studio, not to/around the victims) said it was a fairytale ending. I know she was running out of things to say during a long delay on live, local news, but fairytale ending?!!
@@McPierogiPazza Exactly. Then they need to remain silent.
That didn't sit right with me either 😕
Anyone who can premeditate the kidnapping of 26 kids and 1 adult doesn’t deserve to be let out of prison. The facts of this case are absolutely horrific. The children and bus driver are heroes. The fact that they had to go to the parole hearings over and over was a failure of the justice system
Victims have to be there if they want to keep those animals in prison
Agreed. People who can do smth like that should be in prison for life, let them rot in jail
I agree
Just what you'd expect from California. They would of released charles Manson had Sharon tate not been one of the victims.
This is why scums should be mysteriously missing.
I don’t think you should ever get parole if you bury 26 children and a bus driver alive.
Yeah, when you go so far as burying 26 children alive, that is bad enough, but a bus driver too? That's just too far.
I swear
It’s crazy seeing them as adults and the childlike mannerisms many of them still display. The shrewdness, the vocabulary… The trauma that this must have inflicted on them is unimaginable. Oh my god.
When one remembers trauma- they become the age of when the trauma happened.
I had this same thought. They say traumatic events can keeps us frozen in time.
They're from a tiny town. Idk you can blame all of that on this incident.
@@jeremysmith9694 Look up "arrested development." I hope this helps!
@Sharon Knapp 👏👏👏 Seriously you would be surprised how many people don't understand psychology and have no clue of that reality. Thank you for existing. We need more intellects.
The crooks planned for more than a year, and never imagined the resilience of the children to work hard and get out in less than 2 days. So proud of these kids
They were so young 😕
They were incredibly strong kids in both a physical and an emotional way. I am disgusted that the men who did this got parole because they were harmed emotionally which is just as bad as physical harm.
And the amazing bus driver!
Let's take a moment of silence and pray for the children out there still missing and didnt make it out 🙏 😔
@anonymous talibannn doing this right now, it is so heartbreaking it's the least we can do. X
Seeing how the dude was granted parole after Jodi's death broke my heart. She wasn't there to fight anymore, but at least she didn't see him walk
i know it was so heartbreaking
She was so articulate, and on point with her story, I'm sure she is a big reason why they weren't granted parole earlier.
And Fred woods now lives in a mansion filthy rich
Michael is an absolute HERO. The determination and bravery of that boy was outstanding. Thank God for him.
The justice system is broken torn and burnt. The audacity to let them out. People got longer sentences for less. This is disturbing and disgusting.
Shouldn’t have been able to even breathe another breath.
People do change after time like you can't look at everybody who has made a mistake in the past as the same person.
I know. Those criminals should get the death penalty.
@@Cris_the_coder So much more than a mistake 😉😑😎
I agree...they should have gotten the death penalty for kidnapping.
I can't believe those poor children had to go before a parole board every time just to keep those evil men in prison. Shame on the law and everyone who did this!!!
Yep. And so many thought we were progressing in so many ways by this point in the mid 20th century😒🙄
It's the current protocol. Hopefully something will change.
Sadly the 3rd and final man was released as well. ;(
in this world you just have to understand that they have been playing tricks on mankind for a long time this is only a false flag event
THEY SHOULD HAVE DIED IN PRISON, NEVER TO BE RELEASED. THIS IS A FATE WORSE THEN DEATH.
It’s a disgrace that these guys are allowed out of prison.
That’s america
Yea rhey shouldve got a lifetime sentence
Frfr
@@nataliegibbs5700lol so true 🇺🇸 is so corrupt it's unbelievable 🤦♂️
I'm not surprised, bc that's how The courts are in America
It’s so unbelievable how just 36hrs of trauma can have such an everlasting impact on the rest of a person’s life.
"Just 36 hours"???? "Just??? Really???? 36 minutes of intense trauma the likes of which these young children had perpetrated on them would have affected them for years too. Perhaps you have lived a trauma free life and that is wonderful but for those of us who have endured extended periods of it, we understand that you never truly get over it.
@@cathyprosser1050yea “just” was definitely a poor choice of words. My heart bleeds for these forever altered children
I swear the only reason that man was finally granted parole was because Jodi was no longer there to advocate for herself and the rest of the kids against him. This is such a tragedy. No one was killed or even seriously wounded, but this still had a lifelong affect on these people. It’s is so important to prevent any kind of trauma at a young age.
Seriously and deeply emotionally wounded.
I needed to scroll way too long to get to a post saying this. Damn right. He should never have breathed free air.
The bus they were in got buried in a quarry with all the kids in it and the bus driver, if being buried alive is not like a living death I don't know what is.
@@evamac9941
Mr. Ballen told a story of an old couple that got buried alive. It's one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever heard. No words can express how heartbreaking it was !
My thoughts exactly
This just goes to show how serious trauma is in childhood. Many of these children grew up to struggle with addiction and mental illness. It’s so crucially important to ensure our children are safe.
I have complex ptsd from a childhood filled with horrors. every step is difficult and the fear you once experienced comes back daily as flashbacks. The chronic feeling of feeling unsafe is overwhelming. You just want to curl up into a ball and disappear
@@ryan19554
You are loved, Ryan.
@@ryan19554 I understand you and them completely, I'm 64 and still suffer from my traumas as a child, I still suffer from bouts of horrendous night terrors. We aren't doing enough to take care of our children when they survive such traumas and torments.
You find this in any group of people so stop
@@ryan19554yes I deal with it too it sucks. Been through my addiction and now am 4 years clean just taking it day by day.
That little girl explaining how she comforted the younger children...omg! 😭
R. I. P. Ed Ray. You are a hero!
R. I. P. Jodi. You bravely endured, survived, escaped and more! You bravely testified at hearing after hearing so that nobody would forget what you and the other kids endured. You helped everyone survive that nightmare! I'm sorry that the justice system failed all of you; and that you didn't receive the help you needed to deal with your PTSD. I cannot begin to fathom your pain. You were strong and brave to the end! Rest easy! You were and are loved!
What an insane mass abduction. How years later they cry telling their story just shows how completely traumatized they were and how it carried with them for decades. Prayers to all involved.
AMEN!!!
Now imagine how it is for kids/people who saw someone die or sustained injuries themselves...
Crazy to think that all of them still have to face their tormentors in court (they need way more mental protection)
I know. Childhood trauma, even only one incident, has such an impact on your mind and body for life.
Thank God
and the richy rich famblee are still coddling their widdle snookums
Imagine if those children had not rescued themselves. This is sad and such a bizarre crime.
Seriously, what was really even the point of this? I’ve never seen such a pointless, weird crime involving kids. Perpetrated by a bunch of dumb trust fund babies. Ugh!
I completely remember this from my growing-up years. Some years ago, I was in a car, riding past the “ Chowchilla” sign. Still horrifying. I’m so sorry this happened to them. ❣️
And they never got completely free until they turned old,the Systems failed them
such brave kids to get out of there and the bus driver too!
@Carly Jack if you watch it all and listened you know the point
Oh man, I wasn’t ready for that ending :( Bless these beautiful souls. We’re all proud of you-Jennifer for her strength, Mike for rescuing them, Larry for healing, and Jodi for keeping those evil men in prison as long as she could.
Well spoken.!
Larry is a far better person than I could ever be. To hear three men who came from financially well-off homes and grew up in an affluent neighborhood did this. Those victims could've suffocated to death, if not for their perseverance and willingness to get out.
Yep, just imagine being from rich families, one who comes from a family that owned Magic Mountains of all amusement parks for kids. Kidnapping kids and burying them in a school bus! Sickening 13:44
What many people don't realise is that applying terror is actual physical harm. Trauma is a long lasting assault which eventually manifests itself in various and usually debilitating forms. When will society acknowledge the effects of trauma ?
Someone on another platform laughed at me when I said that the infant abandoned out in the snow for a couple of days would have deep rooted trauma. (The child was found and those people hope to adopt him). When found, the baby's skin was CRACKING from exposure to the cold. Clearly the person laughing had never heard of the importance of bonding, childhood developmental stages, etc. So, I educated them a tad.
I developed fibromyalgia after multiple traumatic events in my life.
@@RLS11973 same! And there’s more permanent and debilitating and neurological damage caused by trauma too. There definitely needs to be more awareness.
Your absolutely right. When people ask me how did I overcome my horrible childhood traumas, I tell them "I didn't, it's a lifelong sentence" .
Thank you for stating this.
The men who did the crime should have NEVER been let out of prison. They got off too easy.
and the kids should have never been investigated for 4 hours after being free without even see their parents!
@@chloeuntrau4588True BUT to get the criminals testimony has to be as fresh as possible. They weren’t forced, they were cared for and kept well and enjoyed their stay.
It would actually be THERAPEUTIC for them to talk about it…
46 years for kidnapping is not getting off easy.
@@asdf3568 Exactly. They have never had a life, either, because they have spent their life in prison. Whether someone finds this ok or not - in any case it is a harsh punishment, and definitely not "got off easy". Please !! In my opinion, each r*pe victim has experienced worse than these children, and most of them never get justice.
@CCRider They didn't bury them. But what they did was obviously reckless. But had they raped or killed any of them I would have agreed with you
It pains me to see how Jodi never realized she WAS a good person, especially fighting the fight to keep those monsters in prison when nobody else could or would. What it shows is how strong of a person she was, that she continued to subject herself to reliving the experience every couple of years, 3 times in those years. It's a shame the kidnappers got paroled.
It hurt me watching her hurt. May she rest peacefully now.
@@Richgngi agree ❤️
There were a number of heroes in this story. Jodi was one of the toughest.
Michael is so brave and nobody seems to talk about it. If not for him, ita would have taken two more days to just find them.
“I wasn’t afraid of anything, I didn’t know I needed to be” 💔💔💔 reminds me of my 7 yr old son, it makes me so angry all these kids innocence were taken away and so traumatized for life.
It makes me wonder when/if I have kids when is the right age to let them know about how there aren’t always good people in the world. I want them to have a carefree childhood but not oblivious to the dangers of the world
@@kendrickdinger at school age K OR UNDER HAVE TO TELL THEM TO NOT TRUST A MAN IN A VAN OR SUV SAYING HEY COME SEE MY DOG OR HEY YOUR MOM TOLD ME TO PICK YOU UP!$ I HAVE TWO SONS TOUGHT THEM YOUNG HAD TOO
@@kendrickdinger Agreed that it's such a hard balance. I didn't have great parents, but this is one aspect I think my dad actually handled really well, he taught me at like 7 years old that there are bad people in the world who will do bad things if given the chance, and that I should be smart and careful when I'm having fun (i.e. don't take things from strangers, don't leave the group with any adult, scream fire if someone tries to take you, don't ever let them take you to the second location), but that I couldn't live my life scared either, because then the bad people win. It might not work for every child, but as a kid who was already pretty anxious, this actually really helped me.
@@kendrickdinger agreed. my parents always drilled into my younger brothers head not to answer the door/talk to strangers, etc and it made him hyper paranoid for the majority of his childhood. it's hard to find that balance
I have a 7 year old little boy too just breaks my heart and makes me sick ;(
Being from Chowchilla. I remember this all to well. When we found out that they had been found and when that bus rolled in to town everyone was crying. I attended Dairyland school and knew Ed Ray. He was a wonderful man. God bless all the victim's of the kidnapping. RIP Jody.
Andrea glad this didn’t happen to you
I was on long island but I recall the alerts coming through the tv at the time
Poor Jody, and all the others who suffered life long effects of this horrible crime.
Wow really
How did Jodi die?
Those kids would've suffocated if they hadn't been so brave to fight to escape. What an incredible story of good overcoming evil.
This entire case hits close to home. I lived in Chowchilla and left in the 6th grade. We moved to Oakland in 1968. The quarry was just 30 miles or so from home in Oakland. On the way to their summer swim, Ed Ray was going to meet my brother in law's dad, the bus driver for Chowchilla. I believe he was first to notify police when Ed's bus didn't show up. I was 18 and sickened by the unknown. I'm glad these now adults found their way in life. Not easily for sure. As for the others, I'd like to know how they've managed too. A real tear jerking memory of 1976.
Where was his driver during kids escape?
Sad to learn Ed Ray passed away at age 91 in May of 2012. He saved all these kids lives. Ed Ray the hero 😊
91 is long time
He was 91...
That's a long life! I hope he lived it happily and was able to experience joy once again after this ordeal. He was a true hero!
It's amazing the affect the behavior of those three men had on each of the individuals they kidnapped. 27 lives, along w the lives of all of their family members were, forever changed! They should have been given life for the damage they caused to these innocent kids!
He wasn't the hero. One of the kids, last name Miller made the heroic decision to get them out. When reporters attempted to interview the child Miller, the principal interrupted them. He asked that they let the children get some rest. The bus driver never said any different. The Miller child suffered greatly mentally
@@KimberlieJacksonhis name is Mike Marshall/ he’s the 14 year old boy who dug them out and got out first. Ed kept them calm but Mike kept them alive
Anyone who harms children maliciously there should be no mercy.
I disagree
Or animals.
@@ManipulatorEradicateranimals? You are pitiful
2😮
@@premiumaccount4166 Wt
37:27 "Healing continues if you allow it."
Sweet Larry, brave Michael and firey Jodi really touched my heart, especially Larry. I'm proud of them recovering and doing their best and hope that Jodi knew that her honesty about her struggles was courageous. Her words kept Woods in prison without parole for a long time. Rest in peace sweetheart. And rest in peace brave bus driver Ed.🕯️🕯️
I could never do what he did, shake their hands or even look them in the eyes. I’m glad he could heal and move on, but I don’t know that I could if I were in his shoes.
Rest In Peace Jodi!! She & Mike really took humanitarian to the max while in their adolescence 🥰 I can’t imagine how their parents suffered. Can’t believe they weren’t given millions 😔
Well no, the millions were given to Fred Woods, mastermind of the kidnapping. Google it.
I love that the kids saved each other. Smart and brave.
Wow Jodi.. can't believe she passed so young. When She said she wasn't a good daughter, aunt, sister, mother and friend I felt so bad for her. You can clearly tell she was an amazing human being.
Yes, you can. She was an amazing being. You can see it in her photograph, too. The one taken before her kidnapping.
She was truly amazing, God Rest Her Sou. What did she die of so young if you dont mind me asking?
mike was so incredibly brave and i know those kids are still thankful for his heroism to this day. his actions were truly selfless.
(1) There is a book written by a psychiatrist name, Lenore Terr, MD , who interviewed the children shortly after they’re freed. The book is titled “Too Scare to Cry”. When I was in medical school, it was a mandatory book we had to read and write a paper on it. We’re all uncontrollably crying while reading. The book is well worth reading.
Thanks for mentioning this!
I’m going to find this! Thank you for the recommendation!
I wish Jodi could have known how much good SHE DID DO by going to those hearings. Such a tortured soul but I KNOW she is no longer suffering. She is a part of it all now and can see the why and the how and knows how important she was and still is. This story made me very emotional. What a fascinating but heartbreaking and terrifying story.
I was living overseas when this happened & even the people in Europe followed the news & prayed the kids would be found safe.
Oh my Gosh these poor kids and their families the whole community I'd be afraid to have my child go to school again
Why was Jodi the only one fighting to keep him in prison?
@@dinacoleman159 Because the others didn't want to relive it, and that was ok, too.
It was so heartbreaking hearing her put herself down like that after fighting for so many years to keep her head above water
Losing trust when you are a child is devastating. It is so sad no one is advocating for these folks so deserving of assistance still.
I’ve lived without it all my life after trauma n abuse since childhood. It is not an alone incident n they have family support which is something I have not,
Diane V Thank you for your comment. I have searched and searched my mind for what has made me a crazy adult. Your comment was the answer. God Bless You.
@@healingandgrowth-infp4677 may you build your own family of love and support for the rest of your life, it will be worth it.
@@katydid1600 I hope your journey continues to bring you peace❤❤❤
@@dianev6180 Thank you.
the long lasting effects from this kidnapping is heartbreaking. These kidnappers should have had life without parole.
To anyone working through trauma, old or new, physical, emotional, sexual, or otherwise, whether you practice a faith or not: you do not have to forgive to heal from trauma. It’s a wonderful feeling for some, but it can also be incredibly damaging to believe it’s required to your personal healing. You aren’t in any sort of denial by not forgiving your perpetrators, you aren’t doing it “wrong”, you aren’t holding yourself back in some way.
If you feel that some kind of forgiveness would benefit your growth and healing process, you’re already on your way. If you feel like you just can’t imagine it, you’re in no way alone or hurting yourself by doing so. It is YOUR process, and while advice can be given, real growth can’t be forced.
I’ve forgiven one, and I haven’t forgiven others. In most of my healing, I’ve really been thriving from forgiving myself. I can hold myself to it when I say there are some people that hurt me that will never be forgiven.
Each person is different, and each trauma that person goes through is going to be different as well. Your process, your life and your journey through the BS you’ve faced is in every way YOURS. If you don’t believe forgiveness will heal you, that’s totally okay. You know yourself better than any other person could ever let you know.
I say this because I spent some critical time thinking that forgiveness was the only way forward. I’d heard time and time again that forgiving the people that had hurt me would benefit me, doing so would help me grow from those events. It led me to believe that if I couldn’t forgive them, or if I couldn’t find my benefit or change from forgiving them, that I was “doing it wrong”. My healing takes time, it takes effort, and it takes patience. But it does NOT require forgiveness. Much love ❤
100% this
Can we just agree as a society that crimes against children, ANY crimes against children = no parole? Would that be reasonable?
I agree! I wish a petition or something could be done.
Automatic life in prison without parole. Also just one small meal per day. You mess with kids, the prison system will mess with you.
There would be a lot of pastors and priests serving life sentences. We’d have to build more prisons just to house them.
@@doctorshell7118That would be fine. Children who would otherwise be abused will be safe from pastors, priests and other in positions of trust
Nope. Life without parole should be reserved for killers or rapists
These kids weren't even hurt.
20 years tops.
The US has more people in prison than communist China
When the kids were reunited with their parents, I couldn't hold back tears.
Same
@@cali.girllivinnnevada8 it was the light and fresh air for my tear ducts. Those poor people! And to know that they've all got parole, like their lives were nothing in the face of rich mofos. Ugh!
Though I am glad that happened, I do not like how they treated them when they came off that bus, as if nothing horrific just took place. Much like the Steven Stayner reuniting. Healing in private without large crowds...is that too much to ask for??
same, I cried, poor babies
It was "hi mom!" For me.
As a child myself at the time, I watched this unfold via TV. I was so scared it would happen to me, too. These children survived a living nightmare. My family prayed for them. I cheered when it was reported that they were found. Even today, this affects them. My prayers to them all.
55 is young. I'm sure the PTSD of what she went through, and the stress of going to all those parole hearings took something out of her and contributed to her passing away. RIP Jodi and thank you for fighting as long as you did. I wish peace to all of the survivors. As for the kidnappers, shame on them. White privilege, male privilege, wealthy privilege, and a combination of all 3 is how they were able to get their sentences overturned and see the light of day! They should have stayed locked up!
In 2008, as a 42 year old adult man, I was taken hostage with several other people. Too well I've stood in their place! These brave, amazing, incredible, children!
Good energy and peace to you on this side of having this terrible knowledge.
Sending love ❤
I am so sorry that happened to you and I hope you are doing well.
MY SONS WOULD BE OUT THE BACK EXIT DOOR WITH A QUICKNESS LIKE I WOULD OF DONE OMG I NEVER HEARD THIS TILL NOW.. SO IM JUST INTO IT SO THE KIDS ESCAPED WAY RIGHT ON I WONDER IF TODAY'S CALI KIDS WOULD DO??
OMG Im so so so sorry. 💔
You know this could've gone a totally different way. Those kids easily could've died of heat, suffocation, or being crushed if the dirt fell in on them. Very thankful for the bravery and fortitude of the kids to save themselves. My youngest child recently had a medical episode that was beyond terrifying,my heart goes out to those parents who must've been so desperate to find their children.
I hope your child is doing well now.
Absolutely
the kidnappers may have planne don leaving them to thier death , buried. Since that is what a lot of kidnappers for ransom do. it eliminates witnesses. Thank God they escaped.
It breaks my heart that Jodi Heffington suffered so deeply for the rest of her life. They should have never been granted parole
Those kids suffered PTSD, night terrors, anxiety, bed wetting that may have lasted a long time. Those kidnappers should not have been given parole at all.
What a slap in the face to all the victims. That parole board should be fired. Disgusting.
Yes I agree and I tend to think that the one broken man who forgave one of the kidnappers would never have been put in a position to think he had to forgive any of them for their crimes they never repented for in the first place. It’s a disgusting country we live in.
@@eajaros True but the forgiveness was for himself not them. Sometimes the only way to escape the horror is to forgive the one who harmed you. I could not do it but I'm glad it helped him to do so.
I think the Parole Board should've had their rear ends kicked.
maybe they are in thier 70s and assumed to be safe now? but who really knows.
@@theCosmicQueen lot of people can do stuff in their 70s and function really well, my grandma being an example. She cleans, cooks, takes care of the animals and other people. They could still be very liable to do this again, their age isn't a liability, it's their health that is I suppose.
I love that one girls attitude, she was so brave and so mature for her age. She is such a happy looking person even with trauma, we need more people like her in this world.
Truly a warrior❤
Michael your concern for you to not be able to say goodbye to your mother in that perdicument and then years later speaking on how your parents felt, is just heart warming. What a good son you are ❤️
Excellent! Good work in showing what are the life long consequences of putting children under traumatic experiences. One of the best I've watched so far.
I lived close to Chowchilla as a kid. I remember this like yesterday. I was afraid if riding the bus. I had nightmares. I'll never forget it. That incident affected so many that weren't involved. I can see how these kids grew up with fears and terror. When they escaped and we're reunited with their families I remember crying with relief. But kidnapping became a fear for me and many of my friends.
CALI LAND of serial killers
The guy who was the son of the quarry owner operated a gold mine, a car dealership, and even bought a mansion while in prison after inheriting $113 million from his parents.
In 2012, Frank Edward 'Ed' Ray was visited by a lot of his students before his death. The city has a 'Edward Ray Day' every February 26 and a park in his name.
Ed wasn't apart of it, was he?
@@kiara198923 No, Ed was innocent 🙂
That money should go to the victims
@@portcityminis They did sue and get money ia couple of years ago, but one of the victims said the money was just enough for some therapy sessions yet not enough to buy a house.
Quarry son is a legend
Those men deserved life without parole. The children ended up with a life sentence of having to relive their horrific experience every couple years is cruel and unusual punishment. It’s infuriating 🤬
I've watched what seems like hundreds of 48HM episodes over the years and this is the only one ever to make me cry. What these monsters did is UNTHINKABLE. There's no way they should've been granted parole.
Absolutely disgusting that they are out. If not for the bravery of those older kids, they would have all died. Our justice system is so messed up. I'd hate to be a lawyer.
Regardless of Michael Marshall's outcome, he is a hero. The physically and mental strength and courage to move that manhole cover at age 14 is amazing. Thank God that everyone got out OK. May God continue to heal each of those that are still with us.
"God" didn't do any more than Batman or Mighty Mouse. It was that HUMAN BEING named Mike who did it. Thank MIKE that everyone got out ok. It's sick how people want to thank a fictional character rather than thanking the human beings who acted.
@@mynameisworld : Where do you think the physical and mental strength and courage came to that 14 year old from? But don't bother to answer (too predictable). You can not believe in Air, too... It won't change what is. It would just be nice if you kept your bitterness/brittleness to yourself, since that kind of attitude does nothing to make friends or influence people. And it is out of place in this situation. Shame on you.
It was a human. People need to stop all this god thanking. Comparing air to god lol. Air is proven to exist. God isn’t.
Give people the credit they deserve
U having a stroke Wayne?
What a story of hope. What that woman Jody said "Nothing was ever the same after that" broke my heart. What brave children, so happy they were reunited with thier families. Those men should ALL get what they gave, give the kid's shovels!!
what a horrible ordeal. i understand why they have changed. they were just children who had never known there was evil out there. i can see and hear the shakiness in their voices even as adults. they will carry this around forever but i hope they can mend...with lots of support. i can tell they have PTSD. i hope they get help so it doesn't affect their future...i can't imagine the terror...
Michael, if you ever read this let me say you are a true hero, you didn't give up and found a way out of there.
I’m a veteran with diagnosed PTSD. These children have PTSD. Night terrors, dreams and a life of tears.
I recommend EMDR therapy for PTSD. Really helped me. Might be able to help you too and others. ❤
I remember when this happened. I was 10 years old. I can only imagine how those children felt. Thank God they had Mr Edward & the older boy Michael. I can not believe the parole boards finally let out those 3 out on parole especially Fred Woods!!! RIP: Mr Edward,
RIP: Jodi
Stupid laws.
I think I was 9. I remember this and thought about kidnappings all the time. Scared me and it stuck with me.
I remember it too - It was a huge story on the news.
What year was it? I remember it but only vaguely. Like it was a dream.
I was born in 70.
Michael was a hero
Mike saved them all, suffered as badly as anyone of them, yet he only spoke of the misery these people did to others, not himself…
@Zee best I knew Mike and his family before they moved to Chowchilla. We were neighbors. They were a very nice family. Everything that you said about Mike is true. He has suffered alot too. He has been very quiet about everything that happened on that day. Except talking to the investigators and those closest to him. I was glad to see him talk in this program. Mike is a very nice young man and we are very proud to know him.
@@hopieelliott6053 Wow!
I cried at the end when Jodi said what she said about how it affected her being a good mom.
I was searching Coachella and misspelled it and wound up here. 😂
Parole feels like a reward for evil and a punishment for the victims.
Now you said it that's a fact for sure
Well said!
I just read two comments on another episode. These people feel that its wrong to put people away to punish them. And don't even start with the death penalty!
This is why people get out on parole. Bleeding hearts.
@@tessaducek5601 i think it’s the same thing as people feeling compassion for the chowchilla adults because of what they suffered as children. Some of them admitted to pasts they were ashamed of including alcoholism. Imagine if one of these adults we feel so bad for had gone on to commit a crime that left a victim in their wake, would we then feel justice is served by locking them up and throwing away the key?
@@stephaniechampion7260 If you do the crime then you have to do the time. Period.
This is the most bizarre, elaborate and pre-planned crime I’ve ever heard of. What those kids and Mr. Edward endured is hard to fathom. But they managed to rescue themselves before their kidnappers even made the ransom attempt! This story is maddening at times, but ultimately it’s a remarkable testament to the power of human strength and resiliency. Fred Woods should have died in prison.
The parole hearings should never have overshadowed their lives to such an extend. Wtf?
the way Larry described the dust looking like shooting stars 😢 i was crying for a good 45 minutes and the fact that the last guy was granted parole after Jodi passed away, he only got it because she wasn’t there to fight anymore, she went to every single one 😮💨🥺
I'm surprised these men got to be paroled after planning, and implementing such a terrible crime, although 36 years is a long time for someone to do have little to do but think about what they did. I agree with Larry. Forgiveness is for the victim! If people can forgive, they heal faster. Forgiveness doesn't mean forget, but it means letting go of the anger and resentment, even praying for the perpetrator! The strength gained by forgiveness is amazing! I personally don't think people can heal without forgiving first.
There is a old Chinese proverb -‘If you harbour bitterness - where does happiness dock’?
It’s hard to heal when the kidnappers are still asking to be let out every 5yr claiming what they did was not that big of a deal. Those kids intuitively understood justice was never served, the demons were never slayed. They couldn’t heal because no one protected those kids, the rich demons were protected. Not the kids of poverty.
“they didn’t have enough love.” wow
Wisdom from the mouth’s of babes 😢
You can tell how traumatized that has made them as adults. You can tell that some of them are not right with their mental health. They damaged these people for no reason!!
Makes me so sad for all the kids around the world in severe trauma situations like this. We all have our little traumas like divorce, death in the family etc but this stuff is next level.
What a horrendous terror they went through, disturbing, monsters really do walk amongst us.
Jodi, Michael, and Ed saved everyone that day. If those three people hadn't been on the bus that day, those kids would've died. I'm so sorry for the trauma they had afterwards but hopefully they know that they truly are heros! Good luck to you all and hope u all continue to heal.
Your missing the other little boy that was 6 when this happened. I think he was one of the children that continually testified. Forcing those kids to go back 3 to 6 times a year to relive their traumas just to keep them in jail is also a crime.
Prob also other kids that didn't wanne work on this
cases like that should not grant parole. they caused so much psychological trauma. the kids and their families will never be the same.
RIP Jodi, you were an extremely beautiful awesome and above all BRAVE little girl. I sincerely hope you didn’t go through life blaming yourself for things that were out of your control, at the end, you seemed very dejected 😞. But I think you were as strong as they come. RIP.
This was by far the hardest 48 hrs EVER for me to watch.. I applaud all the victims on their sobriety.. I pray HARD that they all find peace.. I cannot IMAGINE 😢 💔 as a recovering addict myself (8/23/17) and a single mother of a 4 yr old- I'm thinking homeschool..
same, i always try to avoid the stories involving children. so heartbreaking.🥺
They didn't have enough love.
-Jennifer.
💔This girl, even after all that, she remains an angel.
My new hero
I turned 9 a few days before this happened, and had just moved with my family from the midwest to California about a month prior. This was the first news story that really frightened and affected me as a kid, and it has stayed in my memory all these years. Thanks to 48 Hours, the victims and everyone else involved for retelling the traumatic story here. It deserves to be remembered.
To survive a trauma like this is almost unimaginable. I can’t see how your life would ever be ok after this.
It is disgraceful that those monsters were paroled.
I remember this as a child. I was 9 years old and had lived in a neighborhood where I walked to school. We moved in August of 1976 and I was to ride a school bus for the first time in my life. I was TERRIFIED that we would be kidnapped like these kids. I can't imagine how scared these kids must have been.
You could just see from day 1 that Jennifer Brown Hyde was built different. You could see the toughness and strength in her bright blue eyes. Not many know, she tragically lost her brother just 5 years after the kidnapping. He was only 15 years old. That woman is strong 💪✊🙌.
How did her brother die? Just wondering.
She truly is a fighter. Bless her❤
Stunning documentary. I am mixed-up as to how much strife continues for all of them. God bless you all. Love and peace in your souls.
That reporter really asked the 9 years old
“ how does it feel to be a movie star ?”
Knowing well what she’s been through????
The one that got me was asking the kids what it was like in the pit AS THEY WERE WALKING OFF THE BUS!! 😳😳😳
When I was in kindergarten, the bus driver threatened to not take us home because kids misbehaving. I was soooooo upset by the time I got dropped off. I couldn’t imagine this! 🥺
My step daughter had the same experience. She never rode the bus again. As traumatic as that was for her I can only imagine the fear that these children had during and after this.
It's a good idea to know who the people are taking your kids to and from school each day.
My 5-year-old niece's cafeteria worker threatened her because she has allergies and asked for a substitution since she couldn't eat the peanut butter. The cafeteria worker threatened to take my niece home with her to carry out her threats. My niece is adopted, so she thought the woman really could take her away from her family. She was in terror of going to school after that.
Kid's minds are so different than adults and we can't ever forget that. Your situation made me THINK about the actual mental trauma. I have a couple "silly stories" ..today at 40 they are silly, at the time and for a decade + they were not silly & impacted me greatly.
It's not till you are much older that you can say "why did I let that bother me so much"
Your bus driver was talking "off the cuff" knowing he/she wasn't serious (highly reckless) but not serious... yet it violated your trust, caused panic & fear while you are trying think... it felt monumental !!
Thank you for sharing that, it made me think, really, really think what those kids went through emotionally. I didn't actually stop and think how a child's brain processes those things. I can't imagine the horror... they really were ROBBED of a normal life.
@@mynameisworld that woman needs to be fired instantly! How can someone like that get paid to work with kids?
Adults who treat kids like that are.......
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜So sad how the kids suffered life long trauma from this event. I think all 27 are heros, they stuck together, they held each other, they all kept each other safe and nobody fell completely apart during the whole event. They are all amazing 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Definitely!!!!
Wow Michael is/was (as he's adult now) one remarkable kid breaking out like that and staying so calm.
People don’t realize the strength of children!! These kids save themselves before anyone knew where they could be!! Brave children!!
I just watched this on another platform and it is the stuff of Olympic level nightmares for me, in my 50s. For the children, the driver and their friends and family, I cannot fathom the trauma they experienced and continue to. My heart goes out to them and theirs.
RIP Jodi and Edward, those freaks took away the childrens' innocence, inherent happiness, and stole their inner peace. Irreplaceable things, shattering their hearts and souls. No amount of jail time or even the death of these criminals will ever change the feelings of despair these children and their families had to endure 😢 Peace and love to all involved from Aotearoa New Zealand 🌟🌟🌟❤️
New Zealand is our country’s name NOT the woke made up name you used 🇳🇿
I'm only 4 mins in and I've got chills. Imagine being the first two children dropped off totally uninvolved. It's funny at the beginning the place looks so amazing and beautifully safe which I would love to move to in a heartbeat to bring up children
Rare tears just flowed from my eyes as this went on.
The spirit, heart. and courage of these kids is amazing!!!
I thought it was really interesting to see how the survivors attempted to adapt to their trauma. The outcomes just amongst these few was so wildly different, I wonder how the rest of them faired. Larry's forgiveness was inspiring, there's a lot to be said about the necessity of radical acceptance. Heartbreaking that Jodi has passed, clutching her trauma til the end, a singular event seemingly ruined her whole life.
If you are interested I would look into what makes a person susceptible to developing PTSD. For example, two people can undergo the same traumatic event but if one person has no support system at home, then they are much more susceptible to the effects of PTSD. There’s numerous other reasons too. I have been diagnosed myself. Quite a debilitating condition and I deeply empathize with Jodi while simultaneously admiring Larry.
What happened to Jodi?
I wouldn't say she was clutching it. She really tried to deal with it but couldn't find what worked. I'm 55 and am still finding ways my childhood abuse affects me despite years of hard work to move past it. Trauma, especially in childhood, reshapes you. Look at how many years a few of these victims struggled with addiction. I'll bet a lot of the kids ended up in those shoes.
@McPierogiPazza i feel like a lot of people from Chowchilla have addictions regardless of trauma. There was always going to be a big percentange of them that did drugs.
I like your post.
Shame shame shame on each of those parole board members. Those children are still imprisoned and those monsters are free. They were willing to let those children die. What a horrific experience for those families.
It’s truly remarkable to watch all these heroes tell their stories of survival. They are clearly some of the strongest human beings to ever exist. Their survival is epically monumental.
All the kids in this video are amazing I love that they survived and shows that they banded together and made it out. Amazing story
for all their detailed calculations, i dont think the kidnappers planned for their release. i think they were going to let everybody die in there cause the food wasn't nearly enough and the fans cut out early. they saved their own lives for sure. even though one was a psychopath. they were all a special kind of evil to do that to children
Sociopathic.
Yep very evil
I believe they were gonna traffic these kids.
That's actually a really good point.
In 1976, I was a young mother of a 7 yo boy. I was horrified by what happened to those children and feared that it could have been my son. It started a life long study of trauma and the effects on a young child. I read the book, "Too Scared to Cry", by Lenore Terr . I decided this is what I want to do with my life. It took me a while to get there but I now have a PhD degree in Child Development and I am a children's mental health clinician specializing in trauma. Thanks to the children kidnapped in Chowchilla my life's work was born. I am so proud of the people that they have grown into.
My daughter was a victim of human trafficking. Still trying to move on. She is a victim of a victim of adult of victim abuse. She is back home with me. Took me 3 years to get her back.