Abductions happen all too often, but the story of Jan Broberg's kidnapping is one that will leave you reeling. How could a man who seduced both her mom and dad be allowed the opportunity to abduct their daughter?

It's a question that continues to haunt Broberg's family to this day, but their nightmare is capturing an entirely new audience on Reddit. People are rooting for Broberg and her family, hungry for answers and desperate for justice.

In 1974, Robert Berchtold befriended the Broberg family in Pocatello, Idaho, and quickly became an intimate part of their everyday lives. They trusted him, loved him -- only to discover far too late that he had conned everyone.

Berchtold started grooming young Jan, insidiously ingratiating himself with her before hellishly kidnapping her not once, but twice.

Berchtold told Jan at the time of her kidnapping that they needed to fulfill a mission from God and that she was his wife. No one believed her when she said Berchtold carried out sexual acts with her.

Jeb Broberg -- Jan's brother -- encapsulated the horrific circumstances that continue to perplex people today:

This sexual relationship was taking place with my mother's knowledge, my father's knowledge, and mine, he recalls. As I got older and discovered more, it was bigger than anything I ever wanted to comprehend that not just one adult would allow my sister to be negatively associated with, intruded upon... , basically destroyed and treated this way.

Jeb isn't alone in recognizing Berchtold's epic manipulation of everyone involved. In addition to physically absconding with Jan, Berchtold fabricated an alien abduction to explain where she was during several months' worth of absence from school. It wasn't doom and gloom folks made fun stating how he asked Jan to close her eyes and count backwards from 10 to 0 after which he touched her saying it was his new message without her remembering anything after that.

The Broberg's devastating story has been adapted for Netflix, popularizing what was once a little-known tragedy

In more ways than one, the Broberg family fell for a snake-oil salesmen who was nothing more than a twisted individual looking for his next sexual conquest. Berchtold nearly destroyed a family who thought the world of him, and left a permanent mark on Jan.

Tales like Broberg's are difficult to describe and hard to stomach, but they serve as teachable moments. Not every hand you shake or smile you return is trustworthy, and we as humans must remain vigilant at all times.

So gather your courage, and prepare for one of the most heart-wrenching stories of our generation. Know that you aren't alone in wanting justice for Jan, and learn from Berchtold's deceit so maybe we can prevent the next abduction from happening.

Let this difficult-to-process story open your eyes to why staying alert and vigilant could mean the difference between life and death.

The Heartbreaking True Story of a Child Abducted in Plain Sight

The story of Jan Broberg's abduction in 1974 rocked the nation and it still continues to captivate people to this day. Even after decades, the public remains haunted by this family's account of an unimaginable nightmare that changed their lives forever...

The Shocking Truth About Jan's Abduction

Jan was abducted by her neighbor, Robert Berchtold. He used manipulative tactics to gain her parents' trust and eventually convinced them that she needed therapy. Under Berchtold's influence, Jan was kidnapped twice and brainwashed into thinking she was part of an alien mission.

Untangling the Web of Deception

Berchtold fooled everyone he met - from Jan's parents to the FBI agents working on the case. He presented himself as a Christian man who innocently wanted to help the family through their difficulties. He went to great lengths to cover up his crimes and groomed young girls for years.

The Aftermath of Jan's Abduction

The Brobergs have been dealing with the trauma of their daughter's abduction for decades. After realizing their huge mistake in letting Berchtold into their lives and seeing the effect on Jan, they struggled to repair their own relationships and mental health. Survivor's guilt haunts the family as well.

The Reddit Phenomenon

The documentary on Jan's abduction titled Abducted in Plain Sight first aired in 2017, but only went viral after being added to Netflix in 2019. Viewers were blown away by the shocking events of this true crime story and took to Reddit to discuss the wildly unbelievable story. It has earned its status as a social media phenomenon ever since.

Comparison Table: Similar Cases and Stories

The abduction of Jan Broberg is not the first high-profile case of child abduction in history. Here is a brief comparison table between Jan's case and two similar stories:

Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart (2002)

Killing of Adam Walsh (1981)

Opinion: Lessons From Jan's Abduction

After watching this story of abduction and grooming unfold, here are some key takeaways:

• Be wary of predators who come across as friendly and caring individuals.
• Trust your instincts when it comes to new people in your life, especially around your family/children.
• Centralize communication rather than interacting with people one-on-one so that everything is out in the open and can be observed and prevented.
• Talk openly with your children at a young age about their bodies, strangers and inappropriate behaviors to protect and keep them informed with stranger danger.
• Awareness of these types of predators will make it far more difficult for them to find victims.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the tragedy of Jan Broberg's abduction raises important issues of family and parental awareness about what might possibly occur right in front of our eyes. A discerning eye trained for predatory behavior and signs should help in taking an immediate culpability of those around. The world can be a dangerous place – and recognizing difficult situations and moving ahead with vigilance, empathy just may reduce that all incredibly easy risk presently felt outside our front doors.

After the release and widespread discussion of Abducted in Plain Sight, Jan's story has become yet another warning against potential predators lurking in plain sight. It is a heartbreaking reminder of how easily perpetrators can manipulate parents and prey on children. As we continue to educate ourselves and spread awareness, may the memory of Jan stand as a testament to the importance of keeping our communities safe.

Thank you for reading.