Steven Stayner was a young boy from Merced, California, who was kidnapped at age seven on December 4, 1972, by Kenneth Parnell, a convicted child molester. Parnell, aided by an accomplice, lured Stayner by posing as a church representative. Stayner was held captive and sexually abused by Parnell for nearly seven years. During this time, Stayner was moved to various locations and forced to live under a false identity. At age 14, in 1980, Stayner bravely escaped with another young victim, five-year-old Timothy White, who had also been kidnapped by Parnell. Stayner returned Timothy to his family, and both boys were reunited with their families, leading to Parnell's arrest and conviction. After returning home, Stayner struggled to adjust to life after captivity, dealing with trauma, bullying, and family difficulties. He married at 20 and had two children. Tragically, at age 24, Steven Stayner died in a motorcycle accident caused by a hit-and-run driver. Despite his hardships, Stayner is remembered for his courage and efforts to speak about child safety and abduction. His story also prompted legal changes in California concerning kidnapping cases.