Idaho Child Abductor, Sick Predator Dead 20 Yrs: Story On Netflix

Southeastern Idaho in the early seventies was the backdrop for one of the most twisted tales of kidnapping and brainwashing to ever happen in America. It's been two decades since the individual responsible for the abductions, a former Pocatello businessman, died from suicide in a state prison.

It's not often that police investigate cases where a child was kidnapped not once, but twice, from the same parents. That's exactly what took place in 1972 and 1973 by a man who spent years earning the trust of his neighbors before committing unspeakable acts of a predatory nature against a young girl.

The kidnapping case of 12-year-old Jan Broberg was made into a Netflix documentary several years ago. It's truly a "have to see it to believe it" type of story. It's called Abducted in Plain Sight.

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Idaho Child Kidnapper, Predator Featured On Netflix Died 20 Yrs Ago By Suicide

Robert Berchtold kidnapped Jan Broberg twice within a span of two years more than half a century ago. She was taken from her Pocatello home right under her parents' noses, and on one occasion, driven to Mexico. The bizarre story was also told in a Peacock series titled A Friend of the Family.

READ MORE: 50 Year Anniversary Of Cringiest Kidnapping Case In Idaho's History

The victim reported sexual abuse. She was also brainwashed into believing she was being watched by aliens, according to NBC. Berchtold also had sexual relations with the girl's mother at the time she was married.

Berchtold took his own life just over 20 years ago in jail, on November 11, 2005. He's buried in Brigham City, Utah.