Unforgotten CasebookThe cases. The books. The screen stories.California · 1972–1980
Abduction & survival
Steven Stayner was abducted at seven by Kenneth Parnell in 1972 and held for more than seven years. In 1980 he escaped with another kidnapped child, Timmy White, and sought help. His return and the difficulties afterward inspired I Know My First Name Is Steven.
Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.
California. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Map sources checked September 14, 2026. No case-specific Odd Stops location was found in this review.
“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.
See the full case checklist →The map shows regional context for this case. No individually sourced historical place is included below.
Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
IMDb · title/episode listing
Dramatized screen account. Follow the link for the title listing or available viewing options; scenes and dialogue may be adapted.
Credits & title details on IMDb ↗Mike Echols
Book-length account or personal perspective. This link provides bibliographic details; compare the author’s account with reporting and records.
Explore this bookWatch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
A verified movie listing has not been added yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
IMDb · title/episode listing
Dramatized screen account. Follow the link for the title listing or available viewing options; scenes and dialogue may be adapted.
Credits & title details on IMDbIMDb · Screen title
IMDb title reference connected to the Steven Stayner case. Listed release: 2022. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
Credits & title details on IMDbOriginal newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.
Featured newspaper clipping
Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.
The San Bernardino County Sun · 1989-05-22 · Page 29
A feature revisits Stayner's abduction and escape as I Know My First Name Is Steven reaches television.
Contemporary television feature with related child-safety material.
Continue with these dated reports on Newspapers.com.
The San Francisco Examiner · 1989-09-21 · Page 20
The report covers Stayner's funeral, remembers his survival, and describes the attention generated by the television adaptation.
Historical obituary and court report; charges involving the crash were pending.
Read this article on Newspapers.comSearch original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.
Explore more on Newspapers.comNewspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.
San Francisco Chronicle
Linked reporting or commentary. Read the source date for its historical context; access may require a subscription.
Read sourceDirect links open the selected episode in Apple Podcasts or on its publisher’s site. Some editions may require a subscription.
Apple Podcasts
Direct episode page for this case or its screen adaptation. Open it for listening options and the publisher’s episode notes.
Listen to the episodeCasefile True Crime
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released August 29, 2020. About 124 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCalifornia True Crime
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released June 6, 2019. About 70 minutes.
Listen to the episodeMile Higher
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released May 11, 2022. About 70 minutes.
Listen to the episodeMurder With My Husband
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released March 21, 2022. About 53 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCalifornia True Crime
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released June 13, 2019. About 74 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCalifornia True Crime
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released July 18, 2019. About 80 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCriminology
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released February 23, 2025. About 55 minutes.
Listen to the episodeTrue Crime Campfire
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released November 29, 2024. About 55 minutes.
Listen to the episodeThis Is Monsters
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released April 17, 2021. About 16 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCriminally Listed Presents: Into the Killing
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released November 8, 2021. About 28 minutes.
Listen to the episodeTrue Crime Campfire
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released December 6, 2024. About 55 minutes.
Listen to the episodeThe Killafornia Dreaming Podcast
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released August 19, 2018. About 102 minutes.
Listen to the episodeThe Treehouse In The Woods
Podcast coverage of the Steven Stayner case. Released August 11, 2025. About 64 minutes.
Listen to the episodeOutside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.
This section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Individual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.
Internet Archive · Library record · 1999
Echols, Mike. A library catalog record for a book connected with Steven Stayner. The record may offer a preview or borrowing options; full reading access is not guaranteed.
View the library recordInternet Archive · TV News Archive
The archive indexes this broadcast under Steven Stayner. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.
Explore the archived broadcastThis section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.
Kenneth Eugene Parnell’s challenge to charges following Steven Stayner’s escape. The opinion examines the preliminary-hearing evidence and the charges involving the child identified as Steven S.
No sourced nickname has been added for this case.
New material will appear here after editorial review.The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.
A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
07Social Media
10 itemsCase videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Mile Higher
The Wild Kidnapping Of Steven Stayner & The Case Of His Brother Cary Stayner “The Yosemite Killer”
Video from Mile Higher covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 1:14:47.
Watch on YouTubeMurder With My Husband
Steven Stayner and Timothy White - The California Abductions - 104
Video from Murder With My Husband covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 49:47.
Watch on YouTubeGeorgia Marie
The kidnapped boy who became a HERO | the story of Steven Stayner
Video from Georgia Marie covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 39:24.
Watch on YouTubeCasefile
The mystery of two missing boys and the unexpected link
Video from Casefile covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 2:08:46.
Watch on YouTubeE! News
Captive Audience Trailer - A Wild True Crime Series on Hulu
Trailer or preview from E! News covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 2:27.
Watch on YouTubeTrue Crime Recaps
Steven & Cary Stayner: Hero vs Killer Brother
Video from True Crime Recaps covering the Steven Stayner case. Length: 21:11.
Watch on YouTubeReddit · r/TrueCrimeDiscussion
Discussion: Steven Stayner's miserable life and ending. I need to vent about this for a moment.
Public community discussion connected to Steven Stayner. Posts and comments are reader perspectives, not independently verified reporting.
Read the discussionFacebook · Creator channel
California True Crime — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “Pt 2: The Life and Kidnapping of Steven Stayner - The Search.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator community
The Killafornia Dreaming Podcast — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
View the Facebook groupFacebook · Creator channel
The Killafornia Dreaming Podcast — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “#058 The Tale of Two Brothers: Steven & Cary Stayner.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook page