Watch Abducted in Plain Sight

Abducted in Plain Sight is a 2017 documentary film that tells the story of a family from a small town in the United States that experienced an unthinkable tragedy. The Broberg family, including parents Bob and Mary Ann, and their daughter Jan, were targeted by a cunning and manipulative neighbor who ultimately abducted Jan not once, but twice, over the course of several years.

The story is told through a combination of interviews with family members and reenactments of events, bringing viewers into the disturbing and complex world of a child predator. The film opens with the Broberg family relocating to a new town in Idaho, where they quickly became friends with a nearby family, the Berchtolds. Robert Berchtold, known as "B," began spending a lot of time with the Brobergs, even staying overnight on multiple occasions.

As time goes on, it becomes clear that B has a sinister agenda. He begins grooming both of Jan's parents, Bob and Mary Ann, telling them that he is an alien and that he needs to have a sexual relationship with Jan in order to complete a mission. In an astonishing twist, both parents fall under B's spell and begin to believe him, even allowing him to sleep in Jan's bed for extended periods of time.

The first abduction occurs when B convinces Jan's parents to let him take her on a trip to California. B instead takes Jan to Mexico, where he marries her and begins a life on the run. With the help of his manipulative tactics, B is able to keep Jan away from her family for several months before eventually returning to the United States and facing legal consequences.

The second abduction occurs after B is released from prison and returns to the Broberg family home, manipulating both Jan and her parents into trusting him once again. After abducting Jan a second time, B is eventually caught and convicted of his crimes, but not before leaving a trail of trauma and devastation for the Broberg family.

The film explores the disturbing ways in which B was able to manipulate not just Jan, but her entire family, and it raises important questions about issues such as grooming, victim blaming, and the importance of listening to and believing children when they speak out about abuse. Through the voices of Jan and her family members, the film gives viewers a glimpse into the complexities of recovery after sexual assault and abuse, and it highlights the importance of speaking out against predators like B.

Overall, Abducted in Plain Sight is a gripping and deeply disturbing film that sheds light on the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the ways in which predators are able to manipulate and control their victims and those around them. Although difficult to watch at times, it is an important film that offers a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting and listening to children, and it underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and education around issues of sexual assault and abuse.

Abducted in Plain Sight is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.