I used to watch a lot more “made for TV” movies when I was younger, probably because the future hadn’t happened yet and there was minimal stuff on TV. Still, it seemed like a lot of kids who grew up in the 80s really got most of their scary stories and life lessons from these movies. I didn’t know what bulemia was until I saw Little Miss Perfect on Lifetime, and I certainly didn’t know how FUCKED UP kidnapping was until I saw I Know My First Name Is Steven.
Obviously I’ve always known that getting kidnapped sucks. When we were kids there was a “white van” in every town that would snatch innocent kids up off the street when they were playing outside. Of course, this never really happened, it was mainly just an urban legend. But can you imagine if it did? Can you imagine you’re walking home from school and a car rolls up next to you. The man in the car tell you that your parents wanted him to pick you up because they were busy? You’re only 7 years old but you know when the dude drives straight passed your house that somethings up. This happened in real life, it happened on TV, and ever since it’s been happening in my brain on repeat. But really, it happened to Steven Staynor, and this story is FUCKED!
It goes like this: Steven Staynor was abducted (SCARIEST WORD EVER) by Kenneth Parnell when he was 7 years old. Parnell told Steven that his parents didn’t want him anymore (cue tears!) and that he was his son now and he had to change his name, to Dennis. Kennth proceeded to fuck Steven up royally by molesting him and other really sad unmentionables.
Eventually the years go by and Parnell lets Steven smoke and drink and do whatever he wants and he becomes a rebellious, white trash teenager, but the whole time Steven remembers his real first name and his old family: his parents and his siblings. He’s scared of Parnell though and does what he says cuz he’s just a kid.
When Steven turns 14, Parnell brings him a little “brother” and Steven puts the pieces together. He takes his new brother to the police and the cops are like, “Holy shit, you’re Steven Stayner! We’ve been looking for you for 7 years!” The cops bring him back home. You think all is good. YOU THOUGHT WRONG.
Steven missed out on being raised by his wholesome all-American family. He’s used to smoking and having a mullet, meanwhile his whole fam is normal and they don’t even really know him. When his father finds out he was molested, he feels so sick to his stomach that he doesn’t know how to deal with it and he’s mean to Steven. Steven never really finds his place within his real family and turns to booze, drugs, and riding a motorcycle, which ultimately leads to his death when he rides it too recklessly. He was 17. (Although right before he died he supposedly became a Mormon).
This TV movie haunts me still to this day, but what they never mentioned in the movie is that Steven’s older brother Carey turned into a serial killer! Yes, it’s true! Cary felt neglected his whole life because his parents were always mourning Steven, so in turn, he became A FUCKING SERIAL KILLER! Carey Staynor is currently on death row.
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!
