5 Things for Parents to Learn from “Abducted in Plain Sight”

Please note: The following post contains details from the documentary, “Abducted in Plain Sight”, which includes tough issues such as child abduction and abuse. Additionally, it contains some specific parts of the story that may be considered a “spoiler alert” to those who have not watched the documentary.

In the wake of recent public allegations of sexual abuse, it is likely you have at least heard of some documentaries that address specific, note-worthy individuals and alleged incidents. It is filling up my news feed, for sure. 

Besides the media focus on people of the well-known variety, however, there are also documentaries about families without the public persona.

“Abducted in Plain Sight” is a documentary that is now available on Netflix, and follows the Broberg family as they share the harrowing tale of how their daughter, Jan, was abducted not once, but twice…by the same predator. Jan herself helps recount the story, now as an adult. “Abducted in Plain Sight” has generated quite a buzz and quite frankly, a lot of judgment toward the parents. Whatever your personal feelings are about the bizarre story they disclose (and believe me, it’s bizarre), let’s put those aside for a moment. 

Yes, this is an extreme story of abduction. But it is also the story of a skilled predator and how he duped an entire family. As a parent and a social worker, I believe there are educational elements we can take away from this crazy tale. 

5 Things Parents Can Learn from “Abducted in Plain Sight”

  • We must teach more than “stranger danger.” Statistics show that a child is much more likely to be abducted or abused by someone they know, rather than someone they don’t. In this case, Robert Berchtold was described as “a second father” by the kids in the Broberg family, and was often called by his nickname, “B.” He was a member of their church, a local business owner, well-known in the community, and he was married with five children of his own. The Broberg family and the Berchtold families were best friends. This predator was not a stranger. In fact, the Broberg family did not notify the FBI of Jan’s absence for five days, because they believed there was another, more plausible reason that the two of them had not returned from an outing. 
  • Be aware of grooming behavior. Grooming is the intentional act of maneuvering another individual into a position that makes them feel more isolated, dependent, likely to trust, and more vulnerable to abusive behavior. Some grooming behaviors are: excessive gifts, encouragement of prohibited behaviors, excessive attention or emotional attachment, lack of clear boundaries, secret activities, online relationships and “guru syndrome.” Robert Berchtold was very skilled at grooming Jan and her entire family. At one point, “B” offered to help create separate bedrooms for Jan and her sister, by building a wall in their shared bedroom, while talking about how the girls were older now and deserved their own space. The family allowed him to renovate the room. This ultimately led to opportunities for Robert Berchtold to have access to Jan in a more isolated setting. He was an extreme master manipulator, to the point that when he did abduct Jan, he drugged her on a trip when she thought they were going horseback riding. When she woke up, however, she was in a confined space and heard a tape of “alien voices.” The aliens were telling Jan that she had been chosen to be a part of a “special mission.” In order to save her family, she had to procreate with their chosen male companion, which was ultimately revealed to be Robert Berchtold. This case enlightens us all to the crazy lengths a predator might go to, in order to gain access to their victim.
  • Set clear boundaries for your family and communicate them often. Have clear conversations with your children about their body and appropriate vs. inappropriate touch. Have them again and again. Know what your online rules are, how you will handle your children’s device usage, activities such as spending the night, expected supervision for activities, and more. Let other parents know these boundaries as your children spend time together. Having clear, communicated guidelines can deter predatory behavior. An abuser may back away if they perceive it will be difficult to trap a victim. Always have the conversations. With your children and those who spend time with your children.
  •  Trust the gut instinct. If your child tells you they are uncomfortable around someone, believe them. If you feel like something is “off” about a person that your child comes into contact with, trust that feeling. You are the gatekeeper for who spends time with your children. Sure, many predators are actually likable people, but others sometimes just give you the “heebie-jeebies.” In “Abducted in Plain Sight”, the family members all admit that they noticed Robert Berchtold’s affinity with Jan, but continued to let their guard down and dismiss the idea of any wrong-doing. 
  • Survival is possible. If someone in your family, God forbid, does become a victim of abuse, get help. One positive element from “Abducted in Plain Sight” is that it shows how a family, and especially a victim, can survive the worst of the worst. The Broberg family tells their story, and in it, you see the courage of a family who wants others to see how victimization can occur. Jan Broberg has become very forthcoming as an advocate for abuse prevention, and is a well-articulated and successful adult. 

If you want to seek further education or help on this subject, please check out the following resources:

The Care Center

Oklahoma Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-522-3511 (manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.)  If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 911.

OU’s Center on Child Abuse and Neglect

 

 

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Melissa Brown
I have been a proud Okie for over 35 years and love being the wife of my hunky husband, David, and a mom to our three daughters, two in their 20’s and one in elementary school! I spend my weekdays in the Greater Oklahoma community as a non-profit executive and my evenings as a soccer mom, grocery shopper, overall family supporter/organizer, adventurer, book enthusiast, friend, and occasional Netflix binger. My first two loves are Jesus and family, with coffee and caramel also making the list, right after friends and travel, and being a part of OKCMB.

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