The Stolen Girl (2025) is a powerful new TV series about a young girl who is kidnapped and later rescued. But the story isn’t just about finding her—it’s also about how the kidnapping affects her mental health and the lives of the people around her.

In reality, children who go through this trauma often experience anxiety, fear, and sadness. These are examples of adverse childhood experiences—events that happen early in life and cause long-term harm. Research shows that these experiences can lead to mental health problems like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even years later.

Families suffer too. Parents and loved ones may feel helpless, stressed, and overwhelmed. They may spend every waking moment searching for answers, talking to police, or checking the internet for updates. In some cases, wireless emergency alerts—like AMBER Alerts—can help spread the word quickly and increase the chances of finding the child.

Even when a child is found and returns home safely, the trauma doesn’t just go away. Healing takes time, support, and sometimes therapy. Both the child and the family need care to recover emotionally.

Education is important to help people understand how serious this issue is. TV shows like The Stolen Girl help raise awareness and teach us more about the emotional and mental health effects of child abduction. Through stories like this, and with continued research and public education, we can better support children and families who have been affected by these painful experiences.

How often does child abduction occur?

In the United States, about 375,000 children—roughly one every 90 seconds—are reported missing each year.

In the U.S., about 375,000 children are reported missing each year—that’s one every 90 seconds. While most are found safely, the reasons vary. Many cases involve runaways, misunderstandings, or children staying somewhere without telling their parents.

The most serious cases involve abductions. There are about 200,000 family abductions each year, usually by a relative. This often happens during custody battles or in situations with domestic violence. Even if a parent thinks they are protecting their child, taking them without legal permission is still against the law. It can cause serious emotional harm and lead to fear, confusion, and trust issues. Courts encourage peaceful solutions, like mediation, where parents work with a neutral third party to solve custody problems legally.

Abductions by people the child does not know are much rarer—fewer than 350 cases a year—but they are extremely serious. These situations often involve a ransom or another crime, so law enforcement acts fast. In cases where the child is believed to be in immediate danger, the AMBER Alert system may be activated. This sends out a wireless emergency alert with details about the child and suspect, using phones, highway signs, TV, and the internet to help find the child quickly.

Why does child abduction happen?

Child abduction happens sometimes by a family member during a custody fight, or by a stranger for harmful purposes.

Child abduction can happen for many different reasons, and it is not always committed by a stranger. In fact, it often involves someone the child already knows, like a non custodial parent, a caregiver, or another family member. One common cause is a conflict over child custody during or after a divorce. Sometimes, a parent who does not have legal custody may take the child without permission to avoid a court order.

This could be an act of intimidation, neglect, or even revenge, especially if there is a history of abuse in the family. These actions are serious and can harm the child emotionally, even if the parent believes they are doing the right thing.

In other cases, a stranger may abduct a minor for dangerous reasons, such as to demand money, commit fraud, or gain power over the child or their family.

Occasionally, abductions happen by mistake—for example, when a caregiver takes the child without realizing it violates a custody agreement. Even in these cases, the child can experience confusion and distress.

Regardless of the reason, child abduction is a serious crime. It can leave long-lasting emotional damage for the child and their loved ones. It’s important that families in conflict seek mediation or legal help to solve disagreements instead of taking the law into their own hands. When a child goes missing, the police and other professionals use every bit of information—including help from the community—to locate the child and bring them home safely.

What are the psychological effects of abduction and kidnapping?

Kidnapping can lead to long-lasting mental health problems such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and difficulty trusting others or being safe, even after the child returns home.

In The Stolen Girl, we don’t see all the long-term effects that real survivors of child abduction often experience. However, the main character, Lucia, shows signs of trauma—especially after she learns the truth about her kidnapper and tries to escape. Her behavior changes, showing signs of fear, distrust, and emotional distress.

Her mother, Elisa, deals with guilt and constantly questions her actions. This kind of self-blame is a form of secondary trauma, where someone close to the victim also suffers mentally and emotionally. The show also highlights how public attention and social media can worsen the situation. Instead of just receiving support, the family faces judgment, adding to their pain. This reflects the real-life victimization families often face after an abduction.

Immediate effects of abduction

When a child is kidnapped, the brain responds as if it’s under extreme threat. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline rise, causing a racing heart, stomach pain, shaking, or headaches. Children might appear frozen, confused, or distant. Some remember every detail, while others forget large parts of the event. The brain uses these changes to survive what it sees as a life-or-death situation.

In cases where the abuser manipulates the child into trusting them, Stockholm syndrome can develop. This makes it harder to understand the situation clearly and affects the child’s perception of danger and trust.

Long-term impact on mental health

Kidnapping can cause deep and lasting health problems. Survivors may develop Complex PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Their behavior might change—they may avoid school, lose interest in hobbies, or isolate themselves. Survivors of sexual abuse or violence often struggle the most, especially if the trauma lasted for days or weeks.

Over time, children may have trouble forming close relationships or trusting others. The constant state of fear keeps their brain on high alert, even in safe places. This kind of ongoing stress affects both mental and physical health.

Support, therapy, and safe environments are essential for recovery. With the right help, survivors can begin to rebuild their lives and learn healthy ways to cope with trauma.

The aftermath of child abduction

Coming home after a kidnapping doesn’t always mean healing, as survivors can struggle with fear, guilt, confusion about who they are, and changes in relationships that make recovery harder.

When a kidnapped child returns home, people often believe the worst is over and that life will quickly return to normal. But in reality, returning home is just the beginning of a long and difficult healing process. The emotional impact doesn’t end when the child is found. Survivors may still carry strong memories of being taken, held against their will, or threatened with a weapon. These experiences can leave deep emotional pain and lasting stress.

Everyday activities—like going to school, riding in a car, or even sleeping—can bring back unwanted memories. The child may struggle to trust others or feel like they are in control of their life. These emotional challenges can last for months or even years, and they often require professional information, support, and therapy to work through.

In addition to emotional trauma, there is often a complicated legal aftermath. The legal process itself can be stressful. They may need to talk to police officers, lawyers, or a judge, which can bring up painful memories. Even when done carefully, the process can feel confusing and overwhelming.

Healing takes time—not just for the survivor, but for everyone involved. Emotional recovery and legal justice must go hand-in-hand to truly support the child’s long-term well-being.

After a scary or traumatic experience, some children may feel like they are not fully there. This is called dissociation, and it can feel like watching your life from far away. It’s the brain’s way of trying to protect itself from pain. But this feeling can make kids feel lost or unsure about who they are. Some also feel confused about their identity, especially if they were gone for a long time. They may not know how to fit back into their old life. Others feel guilty, even though what happened was not their fault. They might think, “Did I do something wrong?” These emotions can be very confusing and make healing harder.

Kidnapping affects more than just the child—family members may feel guilty or blame themselves for not being able to stop it. Brothers and sisters may feel ignored or scared that it could happen to them, too. The way the family works together can change, and everyone might feel stress or tension. Some families become closer by supporting each other. Others may argue more or grow apart. Healing takes time, and families may need help to rebuild their relationships.

Can you prevent kidnapping and abduction?

While no plan can fully prevent kidnapping or abduction, teaching kids safety rules, staying alert, and keeping open communication can greatly reduce the risk.

While no safety plan can guarantee 100% protection, there are steps families can take to reduce the risk of kidnapping or abduction. The most important thing is to stay aware and alert.

• Teach kids about safe and unsafe situations. Help them understand it’s okay to say “no” and leave if they feel scared or uncomfortable—even with someone they know.
• Set rules for going out. Make sure kids always check in with a trusted adult before going somewhere, even if it’s nearby.
• Use a safe word. Create a special word that only trusted people know. If someone tries to pick up your child and doesn’t know the word, they shouldn’t go with them.
• Talk about online safety. Explain that not everyone online is who they say they are. Teach kids not to share personal information or agree to meet someone in person without adult permission.
• Keep communication open. Encourage your child to talk to you if something feels wrong or if someone makes them uncomfortable.

No plan is perfect, but staying vigilant, building trust, and teaching safety habits can go a long way in helping protect children from harm.

When should you seek help for trauma?

If a child shows signs like nightmares, mood changes, or pulling away from others after an abduction, it’s important to get help from a therapist or doctor because trauma can last long after they return home.

After a child is found and returns home, it’s important to watch for signs that they may still be struggling. Trauma can stay in the mind and body long after the event is over. Some children seem fine at first but begin to show emotional or behavioral problems weeks or months later. Getting mental health care early can make a big difference in their recovery.

Some signs to watch out for include:

• Nightmares
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue despite getting enough sleep 
• Flashbacks or scary memories
• Avoiding places or people
• Mood changes
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Acting out or having meltdowns often
• Feeling numb or having a flat affect
• Trouble concentrating on schoolwork
• Physical complaints without a cause
• Saying they feel hopeless or worthless

If a child or teen shows any of these signs, it may be time to speak with a therapist or counselor who understands trauma.

Healthy coping strategies for survivors

Children affected by abduction—especially in the context of domestic violence—face serious psychological and health challenges, but research shows that with the right coping strategies and supportive care, healing and recovery are possible.

Children who survive abduction need time, care, and tools to begin healing. Coping with trauma isn’t just about trying to forget what happened—it’s about learning to manage the thoughts and reactions that come afterward. Healthy coping strategies can support both short- and long-term recovery.

Therapists may use techniques such as play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or trauma-focused CBT to help the child understand their emotions and behaviors. These approaches can reduce psychological distress and help restore a sense of control. Children also benefit from creative outlets like drawing, music, or writing, which give them ways to express complex thoughts without needing to explain everything in words.

Support from trusted adults is key. When children are surrounded by people who listen and respond calmly, they feel safer. Positive routines, physical activity, and consistent daily structure can all support health and healing. Parents and caregivers should also seek help for themselves if needed—because supporting a child through trauma is emotionally demanding.

How therapy can help with trauma

Pacific Health Group provides mental and behavioral health services to help children and families heal, offering therapy, coping support, and a path toward recovery.

Child abduction is a heartbreaking and life-changing event. It can cause deep emotional pain for the child and for the people who care about them. This kind of trauma can damage both mental and physical health, often leaving behind a heavy impact that lasts for years. Children may struggle with grief, shame, and fear. Their mind may stay stuck in survival mode, even long after they are safe.

Trauma can also lead to serious psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and trouble trusting others. Everyday situations—like going to school or spending time with friends—can become overwhelming. These challenges can also affect behavior and relationships at home.

But recovery is possible. With the right care and support, children and families can begin to heal. Therapy provides a safe space to talk, learn healthy coping skills, and begin to rebuild trust and safety.

At Pacific Health Group, we offer a wide range of behavioral health and mental health services for children, teens, and families, including:

• One-on-one therapy for children and adults
• Teen and parent counseling to rebuild connection
• Support for entire households through family therapy
• Convenient telehealth options for care at home

Our trained professionals use proven methods to help survivors gain confidence, feel safe again, and move forward with hope. You’re not alone—and asking for help is a strong first step.

Call 1-877-811-1217 or visit www.mypacifichealth.com to get the support you need.