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Kidnapping My Daughter

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Both previous volumes of this entire memoir now together in one book for an easier read!

At just twenty-years-old, Rachel Jensby finds herself faced with a desperate reality: either continue to hand her nineteen-month-old daughter over to the man who is sexually abusing her as the court has ordered her to do, or go into hiding to help her child escape the certainty of further sexual assaults. Kidnapping My Daughter is the true account of a mother who spent more than two years on the run; first from local and state authorities only, and then eventually from the FBI as well. As more and more children are faced with court-licensed abuse every day, Rachel hopes to be a voice among many—joining other mothers who are effecting change by finally finding the courage to come forward with their stories.
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405 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

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720 people want to read

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Rachel Jensby

2 books14 followers

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5 stars
1,133 (55%)
4 stars
477 (23%)
3 stars
278 (13%)
2 stars
108 (5%)
1 star
46 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra.
213 reviews104 followers
March 8, 2016

2.5*

First off, this is a courageous thing for a mother to do. Save your child from being sexually abused by the biological father. In this case the court system has failed to correctly identify the threat and the 20 yr-old mother goes into hiding with her little daughter to protect her.

The story is interesting and very moving. Your heart goes out to the little innocent girl in this whole mess. You just want things to turn alright for her.

So why the low rating?
While the storytelling is engaging, the timeline is often off. It confuses the mind while reading, having to backtrack every time.

Someone at one point called a relative, was suddenly called 'that woman we lived with'.

Also, I kept wondering if the author and the ones surrounding her were that naive. At one point she already knew the child had been molested, yet for example, when the girl (who hasn't shown this behaviour before) gets upset simply being changed, the author writes it off as 'Oh, it must be that phase, the tantrum phase all baby books write about'.
As the author understood the controlling behaviour of her ex, she says so herself, and to me, if she is capable of understanding that, how come she still made these extremely bad decisions by going to his house alone, not going to authorities when there were signs of molestation...heck, she even bathed the child before taking her to be examined.
Her argument every time was that she was young and didn't know what to do. But she had the support of a new partner and his parents and she was in regular contact with her father and siblings. And everybody was as naive as she was?

Furthermore, the author states "...there are certain details I am not willing to share. There are some things about Cheyenne's experience which I strongly believe should not become public knowledge."), and while that is her decision to make, there are many instances where she is so vague in details to what actually happened, you only end up with more questions than not.
"...he made a very strange and inappropriate comment about a certain part of her body."
"...I noticed something peculiar."
"...and the first thought which had gone through my mind upon seeing her was a pretty unsettling one."
"...it was immediately evident that something was wrong."

All the above switched direction immediately after the sentence ended. I had to stifle the urge to talk out loud, wanting to yell at the author: what was so strange, what part of the body, what was so peculiar, what was that thought, what was so evident. Just tell me!

Basically, she keeps the reader hanging.

Which is exactly what she does.
The End.
Abrupt.
Buy sequal for aftermath.





Profile Image for Samantha.
131 reviews71 followers
March 29, 2018
This was a really good freebie! I plan on reading the sequel soon. Rachel has just left her violent husband, Steve, bringing along her baby daughter. to move in with her boyfriend, Ben. As a bitter custody battle ensues, Rachel begins to realize her baby is being abused by Steve. When the courts decide to allow Steve to see the baby despite the evidence, Rachel makes a difficult decision to protect her; run.
Profile Image for ✟Roxanne✟(Death by Book Avalanche) ☠ .
430 reviews91 followers
August 13, 2018
4 Stars ★★★★

We knew our hours together were dwindling away and we had no way of knowing how long it would be before any of us would see each other again. Who would Cheyenne go to? What would become of all of us?

This was a truly heartbreaking story about a young child who was abused by her own father and was ultimately failed by the system who was meant to protect her. The only way Rachel could protect her daughter was to go on the run, if she was to stay then she would be ordered to put Cheyenne into the open arms of her abuser as part of joint custody. Rachel is extremely brave for writing this book and she really did an amazing job. In my opinion it's very important that the failures of the system are made public to show that many children are still not safe even after asking for help.

Parts of this book did leave me very frustrated, however. Rachel blamed her youth for her brushing off of the evidence that her daughter was being abused. Many times I just wanted to yell at her for being so incredibly naive, i wanted to step in and shake her whilst explaining that this shit is not ok! She also leaves the reader hanging numerous times. She will start to explain things that have happened but then stop part way through saying actually that's personal, I'm not going to continue. Yeah...that's frustrating to a reader.
Profile Image for Tweedledum .
859 reviews67 followers
July 23, 2014
Rachel Jensby has written a most moving and honest memoir of her daughter's early life, blighted by abuse from her birth father. Faced with a court's decision to enforce unsupervised visits with the abuser, even know the abuse had been officially documented, Rachel decided to try and go into hiding with her daughter.
I read this memoir in a single sitting. Steering clear of prurient and voyeuristic detail Rachel's memoir nevertheless accurately describes the terrifying nightmare that began and simultaneously documents the courageous way she and her fiancé still managed to provide a semblance of a loving and secure environment for Rachel's daughter to thrive in.
A shocking indictment of the failure of the authorities to act in the best interests of the child.
Rachel's faith sustained her through the nightmare and she will be publishing a sequel in 2014.

I discovered this book as a freebie. It deserves a wide audience and is very well written. Rachel writes with a calm and confident voice although it is clear that revisiting the memories in order to write this book must have been emotionally painful. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book and will certainly be purchasing the sequel.

It's a book that should be read by all who have responsibility for making care decisions.
Profile Image for Megan.
40 reviews9 followers
March 9, 2021
Gripping and heartbreaking.

Definitely had to hold back some angry tears reading this and will definitely be getting the 2nd book to read how everything went in court when I can.
Profile Image for Michelle.
628 reviews234 followers
March 28, 2016
This candidly written debut: "Kidnapping My Daughter" details the complicated and disturbing situation of author Rachel Jensby faced to save and protect her toddler daughter from sexual violation/abuse by her former husband, and her daughters biological father Steve.

Jensby married Steve at a very young age, though she had a loving family, plenty of friends and attended college, she missed several "red flags" that included controlling, manipulating, and stalking behaviors. Steve would later prove himself to have probable addictions to alcohol, substance, and various sexual problems. Concerned, his own father questioned Steve about the terrible way he treated his wife. After the couple separated and later divorced, Steve joined a religious cult.

After finding serious symptoms and signs of her daughters sexual abuse after being in Steve's care, Jensby notified the authorities, her daughter was examined by a professional medical specialist, though Child Protective Services seemed unable to offer much assistance. This part of the story is unclear. With her second husband Ben, Jensby took her daughter and fled, went into hiding, lived underground in other states, while being tracked by the FBI. This predictably brought a whole new set of problems and stress. While Jensby is a good storyteller, appears to be a loving devoted wife and mother, there seems to be more to this dramatic storyline. It turns out there is, and the reader must continue reading a second book, "Bringing Cheyenne Home" which draws this story to a conclusion. Many thanks to the author for the e-ARC for the purpose of review. ~3* GOOD.



Profile Image for Hayley.
78 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2017
Extremely well written, highly recommend!

Very well written, feels you are with Rachel every step of the way. At least you, as a reader can put the book down, make a coffee and come back to it later. Reminding yourself at times this is a true story humbles the reader. I have massive respect for anyone who has been through a harrowing experience, if you can give those of us that haven't been through anything like it, any insight, it can only be beneficial for everyone.
Already downloaded the 2nd book, I've got to know what happened when you arrived back home.
Thank you Rachel and Cheyenne. X
Profile Image for Noor.
7 reviews
October 28, 2015
This was a great short read. It was sad to me how much this young mother and her family have endured in their lifetime and it was heartbreaking to read. I do have to say that I was a bit irritated at how naive she was but I was amazed at how much strength her and Ben to have gone through so much trauma. I will definitely be reading the sequel and will do a follow up on that as well
5 reviews
August 31, 2017
There's a sequel!

Filled with unnecessary info to drag book out so you have to buy second. Which I won't! Very disappointed when realised I'd forced myself through lots of drivel to not get ending!
10 reviews
August 22, 2019
!

What a page turner! I've been sitting on the edge of my seat since I started this book. My heart goes out to Cheyenne and I'm so glad her mom was able to protect her when the system failed greatly.
Profile Image for Lori.
382 reviews
June 1, 2023
This Hits Close To Home

As I said in my title, the true story of a child enduring the horrific crime of sexual abuse hits close. I was yet another victim. It's been decades now. You heal in varying degrees -- but you never forget.
It's not the kind of book you read to "enjoy" -- because what person with a conscience and a heart could enjoy what these lowlife sick people do to innocent children? And how do you enjoy reading about a court system and other "professionals" who essentially collude with the perpetrators? I mean do these judges, therapists, district attorneys, child "protection" workers REALLY THINK that the abuser is going to: admit it, hand over the details, give up control, requests for visitation/custody or STOP just because others are now aware?? No, it doesn't work like that! These perps and many of their relatives will deny and defend til their grave. And you can bet money they leave a TRAIL of victims behind! Why? Two reasons off the top of my head: because they're controlled by their sexual deviance and need for power and control AND, because the way the "systems" deal with it basically gives them permission to carry on and keep doing it! Is it any WONDER that Rachel and Ben did what ANY loving parent would do when faced with evidence of abuse? They ran with their daughter! Why? Because if the court and CPS wouldn't protect a helpless child , THEY at least had the guts and determination to do so even at great cost to themselves.
This book is a well written and edited, powerful read! I commend Rachel and Ben's courage --being so young, Ben not the biological father (yet more of a daddy, husband and MAN than Steve ever has a CHANCE at being!), struggling financially. And their innocent smart and brave but wounded Cheyenne... She is also a hero and STRONG! Congrats on how far you've all come. May the wings of angels shelter and protect you all!
Profile Image for Helen.
9 reviews
November 15, 2023
What an appalling rollercoaster the family court system put you through when they should have been there to help and protect you. As I kept reading, I could feel the rage bubbling inside me. It has absolutely infuriated me! I cant even find the words to describe that piece of filth. I've experienced people like that, who think they are above the legal and moral ways that all decent human beings live by. Not to that extreme but I know the type of person. The world is increasingly full of such people who have blatant disregard for the law and anyone but themselves. And the courts enabled the perpetrator!! They should be held accountable for their pitiful legal "procedures" and their incompetency in failing to adequately protect your daughter. Rachel, you have my utmost respect and admiration for the strength you maintained throughout the whole excrutiating experience. How you held your tongue and complied with the system's ridiculous demands and advice I will never know. What an incredible mum and daughter ❤️ and an incredible family and friends support system you had to help you both through. Im so glad you ALL made it. Best wishes to you all. And thank you for telling your story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
Read
July 17, 2022
The main thought process of this book isn’t unduly all about the abuse of her baby daughter, it is more about the American system and how laid back, and inconsiderate the Judge, jury, social workers, the police were, basically red tape off the scale.
Without any spoilers, the main concept is a disgrace, you will not be able to put this book down, you will want to see justice be done. Cheyenne is a super young lady, had so many ups and downs, trust issues, quite rightly, let down by the system whom sees the abuser have more rights than the caring mother.

Lots of evidence has a huge impact on this story, but will you be satisfied by the reactions of medical staff, the Police and the courts, well I know, so are you a little intrigued to read this first class true story of one brave unique daughter, her Doting Mum and the rest of the family.

I really really felt for Cheyenne because the book brought so many memories back of my younger days, this story is one of truth, despair, love fighting for justice. The book is very nicely written, not too many errors found, but who cares, the book was a good read. Enjoy
Profile Image for Clint the Cool Guy.
545 reviews
September 4, 2020
Great book. Really well written, and heartbreaking. But there is no ending. At the last chapter, the author just pulls the rug out from under you and says, “Haha - fooled you! To find out what happened, you will have to buy the ‘sequel’, which is really just the ending of this book packaged separately!”

That is extremely annoying and I never would have even started reading this if I knew that that was what was in store for me. Super obnoxious marketing tactic. I mean, if you write a book and think it is good, just let it stand on its own! I would even have respect if the author came out and said straight up in the intro: “This is only the first part of the story. If you like it, the entire book is available for purchase.” That’s at least more honest than saying the book has a “sequel”.

Very annoying!
1 review
March 1, 2022
I am only 100 pages into this book and I can already tell you that if you have not read it, I highly suggest Every Woman and Man walking this Earth should spend the time to read these words from a mother that would go to the end of the world to help her child regardless of if it meant putting herself in harm's way.

If anyone could point me in the direction how I could purchase this book hardback for my niece to read since she has gone through the same thing but in a different way I would highly appreciate it. I hope every little girl and boy out there going through something has a mother like this author.

And lastly because he played a huge part I would like to thank the man who stood by her and her child, claiming her as his own. There needs to be more human beings like him in the world. He deserves a gold medal, they all 3 do.
Profile Image for Rachel Lê.
47 reviews
January 3, 2023
This was SUCH an interesting read regarding how the justice system works. It was so eye-opening to how inhumane and cruel the justice system can be. It was so heartbreaking and hard to read at times. I’m giving it 4 stars because it is kind of a slow paced book. I wish the author would’ve picked up the pace, especially when she was recalling moments where not many things happen while they’re traveling. She often writes “this was the last time things would ever be the same…” and it wouldn’t be for like, another 4 pages or so where something interesting happens. I kind of skimmed her life on the road as I was more interested in close calls with FBI or them trying to change their identity. Pretty good read but the writing style is rather juvenile.
Profile Image for Jessica Piggush.
268 reviews
April 26, 2024
My heart goes out to any mother or father put in this position. Having someone you once trusted and love break that in the most horrible of ways in unthinkable. I did connect with Rachel because my son was in a similar situation with his father and I too took him and moved cross country to save his and my life.

Rachel is strong and found additional strength with Ben who stepped up from day 1. Without him in her life no one knows what would have happened with Cheyenne. I was immediately drawn in and couldn’t put this down. Book ends on a cliff hanger as Rachel is turning herself in and going into court and it left me wanting more. Bringing Cheyenne Home is the ending to the story and I can’t find it anywhere so if you know where I can get it please let me know!!!
Profile Image for Caprice.
278 reviews6 followers
September 19, 2018
Moving

This story tells why a mother had to kidnap her daughter in order to keep her safe from an abusive biological father. It breaks my heart that she couldn't count on the legal system to keep her daughter safe. I hope that the system has changed since this mother's story, but I fear that it hasn't changed enough to keep all children in safe environments, and too many kids fall through the cracks and end up being abused because of it. As you read Rachel's story, you will be angry because this baby was forced back into the abuser's care, and you will be in tears at the honesty with which she describes their life on the run.
17 reviews
August 29, 2019
A real thinker

I like the way the author wrote this book. She was able to convey all that was needed for the reader to understand what had happened to her child without going into the details. A mother protecting her child even now. The happenings here sadden me and the systems lack of help for this young woman make me even sadder. Having had to deal with the system myself I find the ways in which their hands are often tied to be very disappointing. Mostly I like the fact that she says right up front that she did it and takes responsibility for her actions. This is very rare these days.
101 reviews1 follower
February 29, 2020
Heartbreaking

If you have dealt with child custody issues, you will agonize at the helplessness a parent can feel to protect their child. Courts, social workers, CPS, and legal entities seem to get tangled in policy and procedure. The author's experience will help one realize she did what she had to do. And sadly, a beautiful baby is caught in the crosshairs of a system that is there to protect her yet did not . This book cries out for change in the way innocent children are pawns in a broken system. And I need to read the sequel to find out if this sweet little girl's future will be restored to be with the two who loved and protected her from a deviant biological father.
Profile Image for Kelly Ferrett.
288 reviews9 followers
April 2, 2021
Kidnapping My Daughter. by Rachel Jensby.
Very good book .. well half book there is another to finish the story.( not finished #2 yet)
Tells the trials of a mother who finds out her baby girl has been assaulted by her controlling ex-husband .... who has access visits with their child .. which he has never cared or worried about before!
When she has been given evidence it has happened by doctors .. he is still allowed unsupervised access she then decides it can’t happen anymore she kidnaps her daughter being on the run faces being discovered! The book tells a compelling story of how they managed to avoid detection ...
Good read!n
Profile Image for Allison.
190 reviews5 followers
June 17, 2021
No

This book was so unrealistic in so many ways.

Two years old and able to read? Three years old and watching a documentary on neurology and neuroscience and in turn lecturing other toddlers on the playground?

And why is it the author couldn't remember anything? None of the houses they looked at, people she spoke with...

And although I understand protecting your child in regards to abuse that happened, being so vague about it (not even giving general details, I'm not saying it had to be detailed or explicit) left a lot to be said.

Not impressed and definitely not reading the sequel. Over it.
9 reviews
November 14, 2023
What a heart wrenching story! It is difficult to have any understanding of how mess up the family court system is unless you have had some fist hand experience. I work as a family therapist and am disgusted by the way our families are treated. While I am heartbroken for your experience, unfortunately I am not a bit surprised by your treatment from all of those in positions of power within the court system. I see situations very similar to yours in which one parent is doing everything they can to protect their child and the other manipulates the situation to meet whatever sick power trip they are on.
Profile Image for Jeanie Tran.
13 reviews9 followers
October 13, 2021
Such a beautiful story! I felt every emotions while reading this and it was sad, infuriating and every emotions in between! Trigger warning to future readers though, the content of this book contains domestic violence and sexual abuse of a child. I love that she told her story while keeping her daughter’s trauma separate until she can figure out how to deal with it when the time comes. I love the dynamic of even though she was a child who went through something no child should go through, she still tried to be truthful and keep her daughter safe at the same time. Again, beautiful story.
Profile Image for Marsha  Ronquist .
251 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2022
What is wrong with some humans?

Molesting a child is something that I will never be able to understand. Even harder is understanding those in authority who know and do nothing. I have never personally had any interaction with Child Protective Services, but know those who have. I have been in contact with Adult Protective Services concerning my mother's abuse at the hands of her care giver. It was not positive, even after mom was hospitalized with malnutrition and dehydration. They did nothing. The person never was held responsible.
160 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2022
wow! amazing honest, gut-wrenching story

To say I “loved” it would be wrong, but I admired how the mom, boyfriend and the daughter kept trying to do the right thing for YEARS. Unrepentant sick pedophile dad manipulated the legal system to continue having access to his daughter. I have seen the same lack of action by doctors, therapists, judges and child “protective” services, grandparents and “friends”. Although there were few real, helpful answers for other parents in similar situation, they will feel understood thru the story details.
2 reviews
July 26, 2022
Wow what a story. I just cannot believe (although I do) what all this couple had to do to protect their tiny daughter from such an evil man. The courts and people affiliated with this child abuse case needed to be more cognizant and aware of what was going on. Sad thing is that this is probably not the only case such as this.

I am sorry for what Cheyenne had to go through but she can be glad she had parents willing ti fight against the system as much as they could.

I wish you all a remaining happy life!
Profile Image for Sarah.
201 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2023
A Survival Story

It is hard to write a review. The hell Cheyenne, Rachel and Ben went through is unimaginable. They were repeatedly let down and revictimized by those in authority positions that should have helped them. At times, this book was hard to read due to the lack of humanity shown by some. At other times, the humanity shown by those who helped them was uplifting. Rachel and Ben's willingness to lose everything in order to protect Cheyenne is hard to even put into words. This is a recollection of survival.
Profile Image for Chloe Hollis.
143 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2017
It was a very courageous thing Racheal did, I think I would of done the same thing if it was my daughter.
I can't believe the justice system and child services didn't do a thing to help Cheyenne and keep her father away from her.
Now I understand that every custody situation is different and could have bad outcomes that one of the parents feel it be safer for removing the child from a situation.
I can't wait to find out in Bringing Cheyanne Home
Profile Image for Karen's World.
490 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2018
This is probably the most emotional story I have ever read. For anyone suffering this amount of trauma and headache is unbearable and I thank god that hopefully nothing like this can happen under the law now. To have to run away to protect your child is heartbreaking.
This is written with strength and really shines through how much love they have for one another.
I cannot wait to read the next book about coming home.
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