The movie begins the day of July 27, 1981, in which Reve, along with Adam, went shopping for the day. They arrived at the store and Adam asked if he was able to watch the older kids play video games. Reve agreed but told him to stay put and not to move. Reve went looking around the store for only a few moments. When she returned, Adam was gone. She walked all around the store and had customer service call his name over the intercom but Adam never came. After two hours of searching the mall, the police are called to help with the search. John arrives and helps look for Adam. The police arrive and have patrol cars drive around the neighborhood searching for him. Reve doesn't know what happened. She doesn't know why no one noticed him and why no one helps in finding him.
At the police station, John and Reve try to have the detectives help them find Adam. Reve thinks he was kidnapped. John doesn't know who would just take a 6-year old boy for no reason. The police advised that they will do all they can to help find Adam. Soon, the television stations are airing Adam's abduction and ask for any help from the audience watching. Reve is making phone calls to Adam's friends but no one has seen Adam. John feels that the police aren't doing enough in helping. All the other police stations being notified state that they are too busy with other cases. Once he figures out that there is only limited help, John starts his own agenda in finding Adam. He creates posters. He offers a reward. He contacts people in authority to help. He feels that he is the one who is going to find Adam, no matter what it takes. John organizes search hunts for Adam. They have help from neighbors and friends. They use dogs in their search. They have help with the newspaper, the radio, the television, and people talking to the authorities in trying to find Adam.
It's been a whole day and unfortunately, Adam is still not found. John calls the FBI to help in finding Adam. The FBI explain that they can't handle kidnappings unless a ransom or evidence of kidnapping is involved. John doesn't understand. John doesn't know why no one will help. John doesn't know why people won't worry about children who are in trouble. A few days later, John receives a phone call from a talk show to appear and tell his story of Adam on the national television. John and Reve agree. The television show asks John to be the voice for missing children in order to receive more help in finding them. John agrees. He hopes this will help in finding his own child.
On August 10, 1981, the long, grueling search was over. Two fisherman in Vero Beach, Florida found a severed head and after checking dental records, the head was identified as Adam Walsh. The rest of his remains were not recovered. John breaks down crying and screaming why? why would someone kill Adam? what did Adam do wrong?
After Adam's kidnapping and murder, nearly 20,000 letters and donations are sent to John and Reve with prayers and thoughts and condolences. After reading all the letters, John and Reve decides to become involved in helping with missing children. Due to their involvement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is formed. They make more television appearances. They wrote letters to their congressman to make changes. After a long period of time trying to receive help from the government, John and Reve are pleased that the U.S. Congress passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in which President Bush signed into law. The bill institutes a national database of convicted child molesters, and increases penalties for sexual and violent offenses against children.
It was a heart-warming movie that was shared by John and Reve Walsh, who endured a horrific ordeal by the loss of their son but realize that their tragedy can help other parents who have missing children. Since their ordeal, John and Reve had another child. A beautiful baby girl, Megan. John Walsh, due to all his hard-work and dedication in helping missing children, became the host of America's Most Wanted in helping to capture criminals.
Lizzy =)
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