Jaycee Dugard Tells Diane Sawyer How She Survived Captivity for Nearly Two Decades
- Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:02am by
Scott Baker
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AP
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jaycee Dugard, the California woman kidnapped in 1991 and held captive for nearly two decades, talked through tears about both the pain and determination she felt as she gave birth to her captor’s child in his backyard while she was still just a girl herself.
Dugard was clear and composed throughout the interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer on her show “Primetime” that aired Sunday night, but grew emotional when she talked about seeing the first of two girls fathered by Phillip Garrido.
When Sawyer asked how old she was at the time of the birth in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Antioch she said “14” with a small, incredulous laugh and a shake of her head.
“It was very painful,” said Dugard, now 31, as tears welled in her eyes. “She was beautiful. I felt like I wasn’t alone anymore.”
She said she didn’t know how she could protect the child, but said “I knew I could never let anything happen to her.”
Dugard appeared younger than her 31 years as she talked to Sawyer on a couch and on a porch at her California home. The blond hair she had in now-familiar photographs from her childhood is now reddish-brown, and she wore a red sweater and a necklace with a pinecone charm on it, representing the last thing she touched before her 18-year captivity.
ABC News
The interview came on the eve of Dugard’s memoir about her time in captivity, “A Stolen Life,” which will be released this week.
Dugard told Sawyer there was “a switch” she had to shut off to emotionally survive her rape and imprisonment.
She described walking to the school bus stop on the day of a fifth-grade field trip and being zapped with a stun gun on a South Lake Tahoe street at age 11.
She said she heard Garrido laughing and telling his wife Nancy Garrido “I can’t believe we got away with it,“ calling the moment ”the most horrible moment in your life, times 10.”
“I lost control of my bladder,” Dugard told Sawyer in one of many moments in the interview where she appeared astounded she was talking about herself. “I wasn’t even embarrassed. There was no time to be embarrassed.”
Dugard said she tried to hold in her tears because of her cuffed hands.
“I tried not to cry because I couldn’t wipe them away,” she said, “and then they get itchy.”
She recalled the soundproof door of the backyard studio that Garrido shut and locked each time he left her.
“I can still hear it, consciously, when I’m awake,” Dugard said. “Some sounds and smells just don’t leave you.”
Phillip Garrido, 60. a serial sex offender, was given the maximum possible sentence of 431 years to life in prison last month after pleading guilty to kidnapping and 13 sexual assault charges, including rape and committing lewd acts captured on video.
His plea was part of a deal with prosecutors that saw Nancy Garrido, 55, sentenced to 36 years to life after pleading guilty to kidnapping and rape.
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Comments (66)
brianontheblaze
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 9:07am“He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:16).
Indeed, the non-capital punishment of “timeout” in prison for Phillip and Nancy Garrido is not justice according to the wisdom of God’s authoritative revelation on crime & punishment given through Moses to Israel to which the “whole world” is universally accountable to (Romans 3:19)–just as the “whole world” is accountable to the revelation God gave to the church of Rome given through Paul in the book/epistle of ‘Romans’.
The sad thing is that Phillip Garrido before he had kidnapped Jaycee Dugard had already been serving time for kidnapping for the purposes of raping another woman, but an unjustly sympathetic civil magistrate later ruled to set him free, releasing him from prison. Yet, we as a consequence of our foolish pretended autonomy/unaccountablity from God’s commandments (especially those pertaining to crime & punishment) are blindly setting ourselves up to repeat this mistake as we leave open the possibility for Phillip Garrido (and other kidnappers) to be unjustly and dangerously set free in the future again through another unjust ruling or even through a future change in legislation affecting those serving prison sentences.
Report Post »Belle4365
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:59amJaycee, Elizabeth Short, and Shawn Hornbeck. All miracles. My prayers go out the Jaycee and her family as well as all the survivors of such horrible evil.
Report Post »windycitywoman
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:54amHello Blaze friends! I have started a Facebook group designed to pray for GB, his family, Israel & the flotillas. If you have been following Glenn and asking your self, “what can I DO?” Here is something you can DO! If you are Christian, Conservative “like minded” viewer, please join us in prayer! I am a member of GBTV and we will be discussing his program daily. If you cannot afford GBTV, this is a great way to stay in the loop. There are news articles from all over the net posted into the group as well. Be a part of history and do your part in it! Local communities will also be formed as we grow. We are going to need these connections in the future! Please join us on Facebook (with out the TROLLS) and find me under Sharon Grek Papucci.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 1:35pmNice….but the trolls will follow…good to see and read a true American Woman’s words…God Bless You!…I don’t facebook, but am a member of GBTV!..Glen is absolutly right about two things…educate yourself and GET INVOLVED!
Report Post »MinutemanOnTheBorder
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:46amFlooding starting in AZ in the aftermath of border fires. http://www.americanborder.blogspot.com!!
Report Post »itsmyfirstday
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:41amShe was locked up and a sex slave for 20 years, now it’s his turn.
Report Post »CRiley65
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:53pmI like that comment you made. HE gets the chance to be someone‘s ’bitch’.
Hope Jaycee is doing well–and is able to get on with the rest of her life. Brave and amazing girl, that one!
Report Post »Gurgi
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:38amWeird story. Amazing she is alive and as sane and normal sounding as she is. A mom with two teenage daughters. Good luck to them. They deserve to have a wonderful life from here on out.
I hope she isnt afraid of men. Not all men.
Wow. Really a miracle. Usually these stories end in bones found in the dirt.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:11amThere is a special place in HELL for child molesters.
Report Post »The Catbird
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 8:01amThis was a “Crime against Humanity”, and one truly deserving the death penalty.
Report Post »HellAndBack
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:32amThe worst part is Garrido was no different than a guy caught solisiting a ******. They are both put on the same list with the same title. Why should Law Enforcement differentiate when no one else does. Sex Offenders and the title have become tokens to politicians and bitter people. Did the Boy who was 19 deserve 6 years in Prison and a LIFETIME of reporting as a Preditor just because his Girfriend was 15 years old… They had been together for 3 years and she didnt even testify against him. They are Now married and have kids and he is still reporting as a Preditor.
As for Jaycee, Focus on healing and Forgive that man everytime it angers you… dont take that to the throne with you… Leave it at the Foot of the Cross. We can all rest knowing she is Stronger than most who will hear her story. God Bless and Keep you Jaycee Dugard and Family.
To Gariddo… I pray that God Heals Your Mind and Heart. So, that you will Finally FEEL what you have done. Know that it was Evil and Spend a long time Praying it Never Happened. You will of course anguish in sorrow and missery but that is only the begining of your Damnation.
Report Post »benrush
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:19amThe wickedness is this world is truly abominable.
Report Post »The Catbird
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 11:01amAgreed. And it just seems to be spiraling down into the abyss.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:15am.
Why are those two people still breathing good air?
Hope you can have a beautiful life……
If ya‘ll don’t have the stones for it, Uncle Spank will loan you a pair…………..
Report Post »JohnnyGalt
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 6:34amAs a parent I don’t think I would be able to control myself if I had found out this man and woman had committed these crimes against my child. I agree with all the above posters, there are times when capital punishment is deserved beyond murder.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:14pmIf that had happened to my child i would be in jail now for murdering the captors,but i thank God this lovley young woman seems to be doing well
Report Post »DeepSouthernMan
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:54amWhat a graceful young lady. God bless her, and her daughters.
Report Post »Crakaveli
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:35amJaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart are amazing.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:33amThis is such an incredible story! This female child was subjected to rape on a daily basis. It was a horrible life that she had to endure, for almost two decades.
Both the man and woman, who held her hostage, deserve to be put to death.
Report Post »NAVYGUYGRAY
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:12amAt least she didn’t have to go to school…
Report Post »Katydidnt
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:25amTo me one of her utter triumphs was that she continued to educate herself and her children. Those kids tested at or above grade level when they entered the school system. To me she is mom of the year if not of the decade. I cannot imagine tougher conditions to raise your children in.
Report Post »The Idiot
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 1:57pmSo what does that say about our school system? She was self educated and then taught her own children. She didn’t need a teaching degree or special training. The education department would say that this is impossible. Go figure.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:40amI watched the interveiw. It was good I wanted to cry for her .. the system FAILED her so terribly.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:50amI watched too. I usually don’t watch MSNBC, but wanted to hear the story.I just can’t imagine what it was like for her. I can’t decide which of the many aspects were worse- it was all just so bad. I also can’t imagine the kind of depravity it would take to be at a mental state that one would help their husband find his child sex slave. Just mind numbing.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:52amThat is the truth! It was such a shame .. so close and yet failed to investigate .. .Thank GOD for the two campus female workers (at least one was campus police) who felt something was wrong and lead to her and her daughters rescue. And SHAME on those PAROLE people who tried to take credit for it!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 12:32pmI hope that the same people are not out there investigating missing child cases or monitoring sex offenders .
Report Post »Sharlene
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:10am@Thebigtoe, I agree with you and everyone else who would like to see the death penalty for these 2 animals.
I’m a firm believer that most of the time when these horrendous crimes are committed , the perpetrator or perpetrators have used, and/or are using drugs. The story of this women confirms my beliefs.
Considering the hell she lived for 18 years, she seems to have a good attitude. I wish for her, her children, her mother and the rest of her family, as peaceful a life as possible. I hope that G-d will bless them with only good things for the rest of their lives.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 12:09pmGod will take care of them! Jaycee is an amazing young woman! God bless her and her children and family!
Report Post »knockered
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 12:21pmJust another example of how the people working for the government are so useless and brain dead. All the people involved with overlooking what was right in front of their noses should be held responxible and made to pay for not doing there jobs. I say fire them all…..
Report Post »rpp
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:08amMay God grant this young lady, and her children, His peace.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:40amI agree .. and I think that her mother helped Jaycee to survive .. her love … Jaycee knew that her mother would never stop loving her. She also seems to have that strong love of her children and I think with God’s help they not only survived but now I hope and pray will have a wonderful life.
Report Post »fande3rls
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:23amamen RPP thinking the same thing. this woman is showing true Grace .
Report Post »conservativeamericanmom
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:54amJaycee:
Report Post »If you are reading this, I want you to know your story hit me hard. It is an understatement to say that it is every mother’s worst nightmare. That a child should endure such acts is inhuman, unthinkable. But I also want you to know how inspiring it is to see someone carry on, as you have, after such serious suffering. I pray that God continues to mend your spirit and bless you and your family mightily.
4SmallGov
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:40amRoom and board for live? Let’s cut costs use the death penalty.
Report Post »heavywx
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:45amI agree, but shooting is too quick. I say chained to a tree and let the bugs and the buzzards do the job.
Report Post »okiebred
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 9:00amHeavywx, I do like the way you think!!
Report Post »bondroid
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 10:11amHeavywx: Agreed, except sadly, there are some things even a buzzard won’t eat.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:32amHow about two bullets to their heads, they don’t deserve to live another day. How evil.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:29amSick. I pray for the victims …
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:29amI saw this interview. I will buy the book when it comes out this week. I have no words to say for this young woman. Just prayers.
Report Post »theBigToe
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:28amThere are some crimes other than capital murder that deserve the death penalty.
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:10amThe guy and his wife should run for Congress!
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:23amSorry, no Diane Sawyer for me. I’ll buy the book.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:19am.
Report Post »I hate when I agree with the Muslims. Dig His and Her hole‘s and let the Rock’s Fly………………
Professional Infidel
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:40amAccording to the shiek, she needs 4 witnesses! (Having said that) Hang him in the city square, after the Parade!!
Report Post »brianontheblaze
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:58am“He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:16).
Indeed, the non-capital punishment of “timeout” in prison for Phillip and Nancy Garrido is not justice according to the wisdom of God’s authoritative revelation on crime & punishment given through Moses to Israel to which the “whole world” is universally accountable to (Romans 3:31)–just as the whole world is accountable to the revelation God gave to the church of Rome given through Paul in the book/epistle of ‘Romans’.
The sad thing is that Phillip Garrido before he had kidnapped Jaycee Dugard had already been serving time for kidnapping for the purposes of raping another woman, but an unjustly sympathetic civil magistrate later ruled to set him free, releasing him from prison. Yet, we as a consequence of our foolish pretended autonomy/unaccountablity from God’s commandments (especially those pertaining to crime & punishment) are blindly setting ourselves up to repeat this mistake as we leave open the possibility for Phillip Garrido (and other kidnappers) to be unjustly and dangerously set free in the future again through another unjust ruling or even through a future change in legislation affecting those serving prison sentences.
Report Post »