Daily Corinthian ⢠Wednesday, January 16, 2013 ⢠11A_
20 years later, Beers says kidnapping saved her BY FRANK ELTMAN Associated Press
OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. â Being chained as a 10-year-old for more than two weeks in a coffin-size box in a suburban New York dungeon was, Katie Beers says 20 years later, âthe best thing that happened to meâ because it allowed her to escape a life of abuse. On the 20th anniversary of her ordeal, Beers has co-written a book with a television reporter who covered her kidnapping. âBuried Memories: Katie Beersâ Storyâ (Title Town Publishing) has a happy ending. Beers is now a 30-yearold married mother of two who earned a degree in business management and works in insurance sales near her home in rural Pennsylvania. Her kidnapping attracted nationwide attention in early 1993, when revelations surfaced while she was still missing that she had suffered years of neglect from her mother and had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by her godmotherâs husband since she was a toddler. Beers was described in Dickensian terms back then â a louse-infested, filthy waif who had no friends and often was forced to lug the familyâs laundry down the block or fetch cigarettes and junk food for her elders. After kidnapper John Esposito, a family acquaintance, admitted to detectives on Jan. 13, 1993, that he had kidnapped Beers and showed them the dungeon where she was hidden for 17 days under his Bay Shore, N.Y., home, the little girl was placed in foster care and raised in a comfortable East Hampton home with four siblings. Her foster parents not only imposed newfound discipline into her life, making her go to school regularly and do small chores around the house, but they also shielded Beers from intense media interest. And reporters largely complied with a parent-like plea from a prosecutor to leave her alone. âWe as a society must protect this child, or our professed love for own children is just a fraud, and our so-called compassion for each other is just a mockery,â said
James Catterson, at the time the Suffolk County district attorney. So Beers had barely been seen or heard from since until this week in a media blitz to promote the book. She appeared Monday on the âDr. Philâ show and is the focus of a People magazine feature this week. The abduction and subsequent rescue saved her life, Beers said in an interview with The Associated Press. âThe best thing that happened to me,â she said. âI would have never gotten out of the abuse situation I was in.â She went on to play volleyball at East Hampton High, participated in drama productions and went to college in Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree and met the man who would become her husband and the father of their two children. âThereâs no point really in me right now being sad or wondering what if,â she told the AP. âI try not to be sad about what happened, because ultimately it made me who I am today, and Iâm very satisfied and happy with my life,â she said. Beers agreed about four years ago to co-write the book with WCBS-TV reporter Carolyn Gusoff, although she had thought about writing a book for many years. âI want to be able to help people who might not know where to turn,â she explained. âTo see that there is a road to recovery.â She has declined to disclose her exact hometown, married surname or college alma mater, citing privacy concerns for her family. In the book, Beers writes that she had been molested and raped by Sal Inghilleri â her godmotherâs husband â from the time she was a toddler. Inghilleri, who served 12 years in prison for molesting Beers, died in jail in 2009 following his arrest on a parole violation. Beers also writes that Esposito raped her in the dungeon, explaining that she repressed her memory of the sexual assault for many years as a defense mechanism. Esposito, who pleaded guilty to kidnapping, was never charged with rape.
Confused
age to police. She feared if police thought she was dead, they might end their search for her. She âcelebratedâ her 10th birthday while a prisoner of Espositoâs and was heard on an audiotape found in the dungeon after her release singing âHappy Birthdayâ to herself, although she says today she has no recollection of that. Esposito, she writes, fed her primarily junk food and soda; to this day she is repulsed by chocolate after-dinner mints because they were a staple in captivity. She did have access to a small television, but says she can no longer listen to Whitney Houstonâs version of âI Will Always Love Youâ because it played incessantly on MTV and VH1 while she in the dungeon. She didnât realize it un-
He is serving 15 years to life and has been denied parole several times; his next parole hearing is later this year. At a 2007 parole hearing, Esposito described himself as asexual and said while he kissed the child, he never engaged in sexual relations. He told Gusoff in a letter published in the book that he believes he deserves to be released. âI think Katie knows I will always wish her well,â Esposito writes. âIâm sorry for what Iâve done. Iâm sorry I even thought it up. It was a mistake.â During her time in the dungeon, Beers writes, she rarely slept, fearing abuse from Esposito. She said she was afraid Esposito might molest her while she slept, but also was concerned that he would photograph her sleeping and send the im-
I can help you use tax-advantaged products to save for retirement. Call today. Letâs talk about your plan for life.
Agent name* (State) Lic. (number) Jonatha Marsh, FIC* Address 710 Cruise St, City,Suite State102 Corinth MS 38834 Phone 662-665-7904 Modern Woodmen email
Jonathan.Marsh@mwarep.org
Mon - Wed, January 14-16 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm
Equipment move in & booth setup Vendor Registration
Thursday, January 17 ⢠Doors open 9am - 7pm 10:00am - 1:00pm
The JT Show live statewide broadcast on SuperTalk Mississippi
Friday, January 18 ⢠Doors open 9am - 7pm 9:00am - 10:00am
Guest speaker, Mr. Charlie Stokes, subject crop update. Sponsored by MSU Extension Office (Arena Stage)
9:00am - 6:00pm
Machinery Pete, signing books, etc. filming program for RFD-TV.
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Head to Head with Matt Wyatt & Richard Cross, live statewide broadcast on SuperTalk Mississippi.
Saturday, January 19 ⢠Doors open 9am - 5pm 9:00am - 5:00pm
Machinery Pete, signing books, etc. filming program for RFD-TV.
8:00am - 10:00am
âWeekend Gardeningâ w Garden Mama live statewide broadcast
9:00am - 10:00am
Hay Bale Gardening exhibition and seminar w/ Stanley Wise Sponsored by MSU Extension Office (Arena Floor Stage)
10:00am - 12:00pm
The Handy Man Show w/ Buddy Slowick live statewide broadcast
(arena floor) 10:00am - until Dewitt Auction (outside in barn area) y
Modern Woodmen of America *Registered representative. Securities oďŹered through MWA Financial Services CON0312 Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America.
g
y
p
y
SPECIAL CONSIGNMENT With John Deere Financing and dealer transfer available TRACTORS 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 1593 hrs., SN 12383 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 1623 hrs., SN 12002 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 1659 hrs., SN 12330 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 1967 hrs., SN 12156 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 2213 hrs., SN 12322 1-8320R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1500 front, 1751 hrs., SN 12224 1-8295R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1300 front, 1459 hrs., SN 12313 1-8295R John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 1300 front, 2207 hrs., SN 011696 1-8220 John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 22 front weights, 3579 hrs., SN 38059 1-8220 John Deere, w/480/80R50 RIW, 22 front weights, 4703 hrs., SN 38030
1-9870 STS John Deere, w/900/65R32,4 wh., 450 hrs., Performance Plus., ext. wear, chopper, SN 725906 1-9870 STS John Deere, w/900/65R32,4 wh., 974 hrs., Performance Plus., ext. wear, chopper, SN 731254 1-9870 STS John Deere, w/900/65R32,4 wh., 1037 hrs., Performance Plus., ext. wear, chopper, SN 725893
1-9870 STS John Deere, w/900/65R32, 4 wh., 1081 hrs., Performance Plus., ext. wear, chopper, SN 725903 1-9770 STS John Deere, w/20.8x42 duals, 2 wh. drive, 384 hrs., Contour, chopper, SN 735612 1-1293 John Deere corn head, SN 715961 1-630 John Deere ďŹex head, SN 725302 1-630 John Deere ďŹex head, SN 725303 1-630 John Deere ďŹex head, SN 725304 1-630 John Deere ďŹex head, SN 731402 Note: Special Interest on Combines 1.9% for 5 years
SPRAYERS 1-4830 John Deere, w/380/R46 RIW, 100â booms, 800 hrs., 2012 yr., onboard air, traction control, SN 18511 1-4730 John Deere, w/380/R46 RIW, 100â booms, 370 hrs., 2012 yr., traction control, HID light, SN 19311
SPRAYERS 1-1790 John Deere planter, 31 row 15â. Pro Shaft seed control, SN 720369 1-1790 John Deere planter, 31 row 15â. Pro Shaft seed control, SN 725196 For ďŹnancing on above equipment, call 662-620-6165, Ext 1 Must have prior approval
,
Consignment From Tri-Green Equipment TRACTORS FIELD 1-6300 John Deere, cab, 2/640 loader, EQUIPMENT 6680 hrs., SN V104076 1-5300 John Deere, 2 wh., SN O231231 1-4310 John Deere, 2/loader, 800 hrs., SN C238068 1-4520 John Deere MFWD utility tractor, SN PJBW810122 1-1085 Massey Ferguson, SN 9B58251 1-886 International, dual PTO, 7124 hrs. 1-4230 John Deere, C/A 6400 hrs., SN 2518R 1-2420 Farm Pro, w/cab 1-2240 John Deere, SN 673988 1-1530 John Deere, 3715 hrs., SN 135383
HEADERS
Steven Agent name* Eaton, Financial Representative (State) Lic. (number) 710 Cruise St, Address Suite 102 City,Corinth State MS 38834 Phone 662-415-9427 Modern Woodmen email steven.eaton@mwarep.org
vanced than the normal 9-year-old, and we believe that contributed to her survival.â Marilyn Beers, who is described in the book as a hard-working but largely absentee mother who ceded responsibility for raising Katie and her older brother to Inghilleriâs wife and others, did not return a telephone message seeking comment about the book. âI hope that more does come out of the book,â Katie Beers said. âI would love to be able to help other kids or adults or to be an inspirational or motivational speaker, something like that. But if I go back to my life in rural Pennsylvania and go back to my insurance sales job I would love that, too. âIâm very happy with where Iâm at.â
Alcorn Farm & Machinery Home & Outdoor Show Schedule of Events
COMBINES, HEADS
about the best ways to save for retirement?
til many years later, but says now that she frequently watched Gusoff â then a reporter for Long Islandâs News12 cable station â filing reports on the police search for her while she was missing. âIt was like I had known her for 16 yearsâ when they met in 2008 to begin work on the book, she said. Gusoff notes that as abhorrent as Beersâ sexual abuse and neglect was at the hands of her elders before the kidnapping, it may have steeled her into a survival mode. Dominick Varrone, the Suffolk County detective who led the investigation, agreed, telling Gusoff in the book that âbecause of her upbringing, the sexual experiences, the abuse, and street smarts and toughness, she was much more ad-
1-625 F John Deere ďŹex, SN 705860 1-930 John Deere ďŹex, SN 677090
1-7770 John Deere 24 row planter, SN 715307 1-1730 John Deere 12 row planter, SN 675165 1-800 Case IH 8 row planter 1-640 Vermeer round baler 1-5545 Hesston baler 1-RT 1149 rear tiller 1-KBH liquid applicator 1-333 Allis Chalmers planter 1-3615 Bush Hog cutter 1-25âdisk 1-8 wheel hay rake 1-MX6 John Deere cutter
MISCELLANEOUS 2-Z Master Toro mowers
OTHER CONSIGNMENTS 1-8360R John Deere tractor, w/480R/50 duals, front duals, 2011 yr., IVT trans., ILS front, 2995 hrs., SN 044662 1-8285R John Deere, 983 hrs., w/480/80/ R46 R1 duals, w/warranty, SN R05609 1-7810 John Deere MFWD, 46â tires, duals 1-7330 John Deere MFWD, 2010 yr., 1868 hrs., 2/18.4x38, Premium cab, SN H021008 1-6405 John Deere MFWD, cab, 884 hrs., SN M300676 1-5083 E John Deere, 2010 year, F.W.A., power reverser, with 553 quick attach front loader, 498 hrs., SN LV5083E260444 1-4020 John Deere, 1968 model
1-475 EZ Trail grain cart 1-1400 Wilrich 12 row pull type Do-All, no scratchers, 2011 yr., only been over 140 acres, kept in shed 1-Great Plains 20â Soybean Special, 15â spacing, w/Great Plains center pivot hitch 2000 Caddy, no till coulters, markers 1-Great Plains 20â 2020P, 10â spacing, w/ Great Plains center pivot hitch 2000 Caddy, precision meters 1-7100 John Deere 8 row 30â planter, markers, 3 bu, hoppers, Yetter row cleaners, dawn spike closing wheels, precision corn meters, Yetter heavy duty down pressure springs
Above is a partial listing of items that will be at the auction. All events are subject to change. Please call or check our web site to make sure: www.crossroadsarena.com or call the Arena 662-287-7779