13 YO Girl Stalked by Teacher – Then She Goes Missing | The Case of Jessyca Mullenberg

Summary

The script recounts the harrowing story of Jessyca, a 13-year-old girl abducted by Steven Oliver, a teacher's aide who lived next door and led a writing club she was part of. After months of searching and a nationwide manhunt featured on 'America's Most Wanted', a tip-off led to her rescue 104 days into her ordeal. The narrative details her mother's unwavering hope, the family's relentless pursuit for justice, and the community's response. It also touches on the aftermath, including Jessyca's healing process, her resilience in the face of bullying, and her eventual triumph as an advocate for abuse survivors.

Takeaways

• 🎄 The story unfolds on an unusual Christmas morning where Monica Lukasavige's daughter, Jessyca, has been missing for over three months since September 15th, 1995.
• 👤 Monica's intuition that something was wrong was correct; she recognized the writing style in a letter supposedly from Jessyca but felt it was dictated.
• 👨‍🏫 Steven Oliver, a teacher's aide and neighbor, had a manipulative relationship with Jessyca, exploiting her talent in writing and eventually abducting her.
• 🚔 Despite the absence of concrete evidence, Monica's concerns about Oliver were dismissed by her ex-husband, Dale, which allowed the situation to escalate.
• 🔍 The search for Jessyca involved the family, police, and the wider community, with efforts including spreading her photo and story across the country.
• 🛫 Airport security at the time was lax, allowing Oliver to take Jessyca away without detection and adding to the difficulty of her situation.
• 🏨 While in hiding, Oliver's paranoia led to frequent relocations, and his manipulation extended to altering Jessyca's identity and isolating her.
• 📞 Jessyca's attempts to call for help were thwarted by Oliver's preparation, including rerouting the hotel room's phone to prevent her from dialing out.
• 🕊️ The family's relentless hope and efforts, along with public involvement, eventually led to a tip that helped the FBI locate and rescue Jessyca.
• 📈 Jessyca's recovery was a long process, involving overcoming physical injuries, emotional trauma, and bullying, but she found strength in her family and education.
• 🗣️ Jessyca's testimony was instrumental in convicting Oliver, and she has since become an advocate for other survivors, using her experience to help prevent such crimes.

Q & A

What was unusual about Monica Lukasavige's Christmas morning?

Monica Lukasavige's Christmas morning was unusual because, despite the festive decorations and presents, she was not smiling. Instead, she was wearing a shirt that said 'Find Jessyca,' indicating her daughter was missing.

When did Jessyca go missing and what was the initial explanation given by her father?

Jessyca went missing on September 15th, 1995. Her father initially claimed that she had run away and was in a safe place.

What was Monica's immediate suspicion upon receiving the letter supposedly from Jessyca?

Monica immediately suspected that something was wrong because, although the letter was in Jessyca's handwriting, it did not sound like her daughter's usual way of speaking and it seemed as if it was dictated to her.

What was Steven Oliver's role in Jessyca's life prior to her disappearance?

Steven Oliver was a teacher's aide at Jessyca's school who recognized her talent for writing and invited her to join a writing club he led. He lived next door to Jessyca's family and had a close relationship with her, which caused her mother to worry about his intentions.

Why did Monica express concern about Steven Oliver's relationship with Jessyca?

Monica was concerned because Steven often separated Jessyca from her classmates and spent more time with her than with other kids. Monica felt uneasy about his intentions and eventually asked him to stop seeing Jessyca.

How did Steven Oliver manage to take Jessyca away with him?

Steven Oliver managed to take Jessyca away by convincing her father, Dale, that he was taking her to meet with a publisher about her writing in Madison, Wisconsin. Dale did not inform Monica about this trip, and Jessyca was unaware of her mother's concerns regarding Oliver.

What evidence did the police find at Steven Oliver's house that suggested a premeditated abduction?

The police found a series of disturbing receipts indicating that Oliver had made several purchases, including duct tape, rope, and a knife, which could be used to restrain someone, suggesting that he had planned the abduction.

How did the public become aware of Jessyca's story and the search for her?

Jessyca's family worked to spread her name and face everywhere by putting up posters and doing TV interviews. Additionally, her story was featured on the popular TV show 'America's Most Wanted,' which sought public help in finding criminals.

What was the breakthrough that led to Jessyca's rescue?

The breakthrough was a call received by FBI investigator Jerry Southworth from 'America's Most Wanted.' A woman claimed to know where Jessyca and Oliver were staying under different names at a hotel. This information led the FBI to their location.

How did Jessyca's family react to her rescue and what was the emotional impact?

Jessyca's family was overjoyed and relieved when they learned of her rescue. The reunion was emotional, with both Jessyca and her mother crying and feeling elated. It was described as a late Christmas miracle and the best day of their lives.

What challenges did Jessyca face after her rescue and how did she overcome them?

After her rescue, Jessyca faced challenges such as enduring emotional trauma, dealing with physical damage that required multiple surgeries, and being bullied at school. With the support of her family and other teachers, she found strength and was able to move on. She also testified against Oliver, leading to his conviction, and later became an advocate for other survivors.