I might've asked this before (sorry, but the original thread is so long and I wanted it to be a standalone point), but do you think Kristi and Bobby's attitudes toward their parents or the situation would change at all if they watched the old UM segment?

No question that they've been influenced by the Maples over the years to have warped views on certain things that's probably long since been second nature to them. Good chance that's what they'd feel about the news coverage last year (i.e. thinking it's just media hype set up to make "their parents" look bad), but if they had a chance to see the segment now as adults, they'd see it "with 1989/1990 eyes" since it was filmed at the time, instead of just flashbacks viewed from today's perspective.

Another very important point is that it wasn't as if UM was some low end tabloid show. It obviously was well known to be a respectable, intelligent, documentary style program that put its facts together the best it could, responsible for catching tons of fugitives and reuniting lost loves, etc.

They might still be understandably skeptical after what they've been through, but I think it has a better chance of refreshing their memory. Longer interviews with their mom and dad as well as people like Karen Hornsby 20 years ago than they'd otherwise see on some little flashbacks from a 2009 news clip.

Even if it didn't change their minds, they would AT LEAST be able to better understand where "everyone else" (like us) were coming from, with our views towards the case.

I wondered that myself. I find it so sad that a reunion hasn't taken place yet, but then again, hopefully one day, one will.

Forgive me for being controversal, but this was never a case I was really into, so I'm wondering if there was any truth to any of the Maples claims? I always found it so odd that the parents were okay with their children living with the grandparents even after some questionable behavior occurred on the Maples part.

Not to start a fight here, it's pretty clear where everyone stands on this, I guess I'll read more into the forum threads to become better educated.

Kamy

Thanks Kamy - yeah, I really hope there's been a reunion or at least an explanation in private. We're all concerned and interested people, but I guess it really isn't any of our business, and I could totally understand if the Baskins wanted all of this out of the public eye. It just seems so cold to leave everyone hanging.

BTW I don't blame you in a way, the original thread is 70+ pages long so it can be exhausting to read through. Personally while I think there might be a bit more to the story that we don't know (from the segment or even from what people who knew either the Baskins or Maples have said here), I do not believe the Maples were telling the truth on anything. In their own twisted way, they may have felt they were doing the right thing, but I think Sandra especially just got jealous and upset when Debbie said they were taking the kids back after they'd stayed there six months in 1987.

The parents, and possibly the brother, have been interviewed on at least one national show besides UM, and possibly others. Have the kids seen ANY of these tapes?

I think people should really just let it go. You can't always get what you want. Is those kids lives and they should decide the way to live them.

^ I see where you're coming from, but I think it's just that many of us are longtime UM viewers who have been "with this case" for years - at least since the 90s or even when it first happened. As a result it feels personal to us, even if we're just private citizens who don't really know the Baskins or Maples, it's difficult for our hearts to not go out to Debbie and Mark for the injustice her parents were allowed to get away with.

The parents, and possibly the brother, have been interviewed on at least one national show besides UM, and possibly others. Have the kids seen ANY of these tapes?

Yeah I know it's really confusing. Today "the kids" are probably still a bit sheltered and naive in many respects. Although they're obviously well functioning (I'm so glad that Kristi has a nursing degree and Bobby's got his own kids), they clearly didn't have a typical childhood and adolescence, so it's actually possible they haven't seen the shows and/or wouldn't know what to make of it.

^ I see where you're coming from, but I think it's just that many of us are longtime UM viewers who have been "with this case" for years - at least since the 90s or even when it first happened. As a result it feels personal to us, even if we're just private citizens who don't really know the Baskins or Maples, it's difficult for our hearts to not go out to Debbie and Mark for the injustice her parents were allowed to get away with.


It may feel personal to you but it isn't. You only followed it through TV and stuff but you and nobody else knows the whole story. I also feel it was unjust but it was up to them to live their lives and all this "how can they" just seems to indicate people not being able to cope with thing not turning out like they expected. It may seem unfair but it's not, it's those kids lives and decisions and I'm perfectly content with their decision because it's their lives to live and thus their decisions aren't wrong until they accept so if they ever do. I just think people should move on or not dwell on the case or not act as if it so wrong.