50 Yr Anniversary Of Cringiest Kidnapping Case In Idaho’s History

Kidnappings unfortunately happen every day in America. The 1974 Idaho abduction of a young girl by a family friend might very well be one of the most bizarre incidents ever to happen in United States history, and it happened twice.

WARNING: The story contains sensitive information pertaining to child abuse and may be upsetting for some)

Most Idahoans might not recognize the name Jan Broberg. Jan was born in 1962 in Pocatello. She's in her early sixties now and is a successful public speaker, actress, and podcast host.

Abducted in Plain Sight on Netflix was the first time I learned of the story, and as a parent, it infuriated and shocked me to my core because I couldn't fathom how parents would allow such a thing to happen TWICE.

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On October 17, 1974, longtime family friend Robert Berchtold walked then-12-year-old Jan to his motorhome and drove her to Mazatlan, Mexico, without the parent's knowledge. Five weeks went by before Jan's parents found out that Berchtold abducted her, according to investigationdiscovery.com. The most troubling thing about the incident is that the parents dropped charges against him.

Berchtold was ultimately able to again gain the trust of Jan's parents following the kidnapping. Berchtold also had sexual relations with both of Jan's parents, according to reports. Two years later when Jan was 14, he abducted her again.

The story of Jan Broberg has been told in numerous documentaries, podcasts, and made-for-television movies. Berchtold sexually assaulted, and physically and mentally abused Jan while in his company, according to reports.

Abducted in Plain Sight on Netflix was the first time I learned of the story, and as a parent, it infuriated and shocked me to my core because I couldn't fathom how parents would allow such a thing to happen TWICE. The 50th anniversary of the first kidnapping is roughly five weeks away, and the story is still hard to comprehend all these years later.

Robert Berchtold took his own life in 2005.