The Broberg family was a seemingly normal family living in Pocatello, Idaho in the 1970s. Little did they know, their lives were about to be turned upside down by a man named Robert Berchtold. Robert was a family friend of the Brobergs, and he had been a part of their lives for several years. However, unbeknownst to the Brobergs, Robert had been grooming their daughter, Jan, for his own nefarious purposes.
In 1974, Robert kidnapped Jan and took her to Mexico. He had been planning the abduction for months, and had even gone so far as to obtain a false birth certificate for Jan in order to make it appear as though she was his daughter. Robert then proceeded to keep Jan in Mexico for several months, during which time he sexually abused her.
When Jan was eventually returned to her family, the Brobergs were understandably devastated. They had no idea what had happened to their daughter, and were desperate to get her back. However, Robert had managed to manipulate the legal system in order to avoid being charged with kidnapping.
The Brobergs were determined to get justice for their daughter, and they eventually filed a civil lawsuit against Robert. The case went to trial in 1979, and Robert was found guilty of kidnapping and sexual abuse. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but was released after only two.
The Brobergs were relieved that Robert had been brought to justice, but the ordeal had taken a toll on their family. Jan had suffered greatly from the abuse, and her parents had to cope with the trauma of knowing that their daughter had been taken and abused by someone they had trusted.
The Brobergs eventually moved away from Pocatello, and Jan went on to become a successful author and public speaker. She wrote a book about her experience, titled Stolen Innocence, which was later made into a movie. Jan has since become an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, and her story has been an inspiration to many.
The Brobergs’ story is a tragic one, but it is also a reminder of the importance of being aware of the dangers of grooming and sexual abuse. It is a reminder that we must always be vigilant in protecting our children, and that we must never take the trust of our family and friends for granted.
