steven stayner, a seven year-old boy, is kidnapped by kenneth, a man caught up in his isolation and loneliness, finding that the only solution to the problem is to claim a boy for his own. once he, with the help of his partner in crime, irving murphy, manages to follow through with his plan, he immediately begins to "groom" and bribe steven to desire to stay with him. steven, however, despite protesting against kenneth, saying that he wanted to go home, had no choice in the matter. as the sexual abuse happened for the first time, steven moaned, "leave me alone," and kenneth responded by continuing his acts saying, "don't be afraid." these acts of molestation, child rape, and holding photos of steven naked, continued for seven years.