Elizabeth Shoaf parents are always praised by all for raising a brave daughter. She is a survivor of kidnap and sexual assault whose story has been featured in several productions, including Lifetime’s true crime series #TextMeWhenYouGetHome, Lifetime’s Investigation Discovery, and NBC’s Dateline.
Elizabeth, at 14, was kidnapped and held captive in a bunker for 10 long days. The captor kidnapped her on September 6, 2006, when she was on her way home after school.
Shoaf was abducted by a man posing as a police officer named Vinson Filyaw, who took her to a hidden bunker in the woods and subjected her to constant sexual assaults and threats for ten days.
The 14-year-old survived the horrifying incident and didn’t give up until she found a way out of that dark place. She gained Filyaw’s trust and convinced him to allow her some freedom.
Using this opportunity, she left traces of evidence and managed to text her mother, revealing her location and the presence of a bomb.
The police located her and rescued her. Filyaw was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 421 years in prison. He died in prison in May 2021.
Also Read: Hills Community Ryan Foster Wife: Was He Married? Kids And Family
Elizabeth Shoaf Parents Madeline And Don Shoaf
Elizabeth Shoaf Parents, Madeline and Don Shoaf, are proud parents of three. They have raised brave and strong-willed children who don’t give up despite difficulties. This is quite evident in the story of Elizabeth.
Born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, Elizabeth always had supportive and caring parents who taught her to live in the present and let go of the past.
Madeline and Don are very protective as parents. Even when the 14-year-old went through the incident, they did everything possible to find out their daughter.
Elizabeth Shoaf’s Parents received a text message from their daughter, who had been kidnapped and held captive for 10 days in a booby-trapped hole. The text informed them of her location and her dire situation.
They immediately called up the authorities and traced the call to locate Elizabeth. She might not have been rescued if her parents had been proactive.
Despite the ordeal, Elizabeth’s parents stated that she is strong and determined to get through the experience, emphasizing her desire to be home with her family.
They continue to remain by her side, support her and care for her. With their support, Elizabeth has grown into a beautiful, broad-minded and passionate woman today.
Elizabeth Shoaf Family Details
Her family comes from Lugoff, a small, rural town in South Carolina. Lugoff was a community of just 7,000 people home to large, undeveloped forests that permeated the town for miles and miles.
Elizabeth grew up in a big extended family that greatly loved and cared for her. Her own family includes her parents and siblings.
Shoaf lived with her family, surrounded by nature, almost in the mid of the woods. She has a younger brother named Donnie. Both of them went to the same school in South Carolina.
With the love and care of her family, Shoaf has made herself into a strong, bold and kind-hearted woman who likes to contribute to society.
Shoaf, now working as a dental assistant, considers herself a survivor and encourages others to find strength and happiness despite their past traumas.
Today, she has made her beautiful family, including her husband and two sons. Shoaf resides in Tennessee, United States, with her husband and children.
Elizabeth Shoaf Family Ethnicity And Religion
Elizabeth is a Native American. Her family is of American ethnicity. The girl in the bunker is a proud American, and more than that, she is a proud woman made out of circumstances that might put someone through trauma for years.
Shoaf is a bold and outspoken woman who doesn’t fear speaking out about her faiths and beliefs. She is proud of who she is and where she comes from. This brave young woman continues to inspire many through her survival story.
Regarding her religion, she and her family follow Christianity. She prays to Christ in all good and bad times and celebrates all the Christian festivals with her family.
You May Also Like: Does Joel McHale Have Sister? Meet Brother Stephen And Christopher McHale
