Jaycee's Return Home | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Friday, September 4, 2009

Fresno, CA The family reunited nearly two decades after the abduction, and they're now spending time in a secluded location.

Jaycee Dugard's Aunt said the now 29-year -old is enjoying time with her mother and younger sister.

We're learning more about how Jaycee Dugard and her young daughters are getting along since they were first reunited with their family last week, after her 18 years in isolation

Tina Dugard kidnapped woman's Aunt said: "We spent time sharing memories and stories and getting to know each other again. Jaycee remembers all of us. She has especially enjoyed getting to know her younger sister, who was just a baby when Jaycee was taken."

Jaycee's Aunt Tina revealed the family reunion is taking place in a secluded location. And incredibly, the young girls, ages 11 and 15, are healthy; despite never having seen a doctor and know how to read and write, despite never attending school.

Tina Dugard said: "They are clever articulate girls. Although they did not have a formal education, Jaycee did an amazing job with the limited resources and education she herself had. "

Dugard was kidnapped at age 11 in 1991, she was repeatedly raped by her captor and gave birth to his two daughters. Among the disturbing details of their captivity, the daughters thought Jaycee was, in fact, their sister.

Ernie Allen, National Center For Missing & Exploited Children said: "People ask will she ever be normal. We believe there is a new normal that is defined out of all of this. You can't just erase 18 years. "

The Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington has provided a psychologist to work with Jaycee and her daughters as they adjust to freedom.

Ernie Allen, National Center For Missing & Exploited Children said: "There's real hope here. We heard that in the aunt's press conference today. The beginnings are positive and we hope she can achieve a relatively normal life and be happy and productive. "

To give you an idea about just how unusual this case is: of the abducted children who are found alive, 90 percent are rescued within the first 24 hours after they are taken.

This afternoon another allegation of sexual abuse against kidnapping suspect Phillip Garrido emerged. Antioch Police said he was arrested nearly forty years ago, on suspicion of drugging and raping a fourteen-year- old girl.

Garrido was set to be prosecuted in the case, but the charges were dropped when the girl refused to testify.