Jennifer Schuett – A Rape Victim Fights Back

Jennifer Schuett

On August 10, 1990 Jennifer Schuett was an 8-year-old girl who fell asleep in her own room during a hot summer night. Her mother was a single parent who worked hard to raise a daughter in the small town of Dickinson, Texas. What happened next would change Jennifer’s life forever … and nearly end it.

As Jennifer slept, an unidentified man snuck in through her window and took the girl in his arms. He left the house quickly, and ran to his car while covering her mouth so she couldn’t scream for help. The abductor told Jennifer that he was an undercover cop and a friend of the family. He placed her inside the car and drove away.

Jennifer Schuett’s Abudction

The driver spoke to Jennifer Schuett calmly and reassured the young girl that everything was fine. He stopped at a local auto shop, claiming that her mother would meet them there. Before long he suggested that she must not be coming, and drove away. A few minutes later they stopped in front of an overgrown field, very close to the school she attended.

Jennifer’s captor pulled out a knife and held it to her throat. He raped the helpless 8-year old while threatening her life. She passed out.

When Jennifer awoke she was being dragged through the field by her ankles. Although the harsh ground cut deeply into her bare skin, Jennifer played dead whenever the assailant turned back to look at her. Finally, he left. As Jennifer lay in the dark, she tried to call for help but could not. She wouldn’t understand why until sometime later – the attacker had also slit her throat.

Jennifer was alone, without clothes and bleeding to death on a hill full of fire ants. Time passed in slow motion for the helpless girl as the sun crept up and brought waves of heat to the field.

Jennifer Schuett Rescued

It was a stroke of luck that led to the discovery of Jennifer Schuett. Almost 12 hours after she was left for dead, a group of children were playing hide and seek in the same field. During the game, one child tripped over her feet. The startled kids ran for help. Soon after, a helicopter arrived to airlift Jennifer to the closest hospital. She remained there and endured medical treatments with rehabilitation for several months.

Investigators found a few pieces of clothing in the field, but DNA testing was not very advanced at that time. Their tests were inconclusive. Eventually the investigation was shelved and Jennifer’s case was all but forgotten.

New Life For An Old Case

In 2008 a division of the FBI called the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team (CARDT) picked five unsolved child abduction cases to reopen. The team heard about Jennifer Schuett’s case and decided to pursue. They set it as a top priority, because it is very unusual for someone to survive that type of trauma. Jennifer immediately decided to be help out with the investigation.

Jennifer actively worked with the CARDT team, offering all the help, memories and tips she could. She focused all her efforts on discovering who did this to her and bringing them to justice. The team ran extensive DNA tests on the evidence found at the scene of the crime nearly 20 years ago. Although they provided no clues back then, today’s testing methods are much more advanced, and they may finally reveal a long kept secret.

Jennifer is determined to remain strong, speak out in any public forum where she can have her voice heard and fight to have this case solved. She refuses to be thought of as a victim. She is a survivor who chose to fight back.

Protection From Criminals And Sex Offenders

This situation serves as a reminder of how careful and vigilant we must all be. Modern technology may help solve her case, and it can help others avoid similar tragedies. Powerful tools like a Sex Offender Search will tell people if any sexual offenders live nearby, so we can be better informed on how to protect our family and ourselves from predators.

We applaud Jennifer’s strength and hope that the sick individual who committed this horrendous crime will be caught quickly. If you have any information that can help, please contact your Local FBI Office immediately. Stay safe out there, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders.com People Search blog.

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