Why Woman Says She Remained Friends With Man Who Abducted Her Daughter

When Mary Ann’s daughter, actress Jan Broberg, was 12 years old, she was abducted by family friend Robert Berchtold. He took the young girl to Mexico for 38 days before being found by the FBI.

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“When Robert took Jan the first time, I wasn’t overly concerned and worried because of Robert’s devotion to our family, and I was certain he wouldn’t do anything to harm Jan,” Mary Ann says. “Robert’s charisma was quite enticing to the family. He was so suave. He seemed to have all the charm.”

WATCH: Actress Jan Broberg Recalls What Happened When She Was Abducted For Four Months When She Was 14

Mary Ann, who admits she “fell in love” with Berchotold, says that she remained friends with him after the abduction and continued to bring her daughters around him. Two years later, Jan was abducted again, this time for four months.

“We knew exactly who it was. I was so angry with myself, and I just wanted him to die,” Mary Ann says. “I blame myself a lot for the way things turned out.”

WATCH: Woman Recalls How Life Changed After Her Sister Was Abducted At 14

Jan says that she was brainwashed into loving Berchtold and into believing she was supposed to have a child with him to “save the dying planet,” and says her experiences still affect her to this day. Watch more of her story here.

On Thursday’s episode of Dr. Phil, hear what happened 30 years later when Berchtold showed up at a woman’s conference where Jan was the guest speaker. Check here to see where you can watch.

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How Being Abducted Twice As A Young Girl Has Affected Actress Jan Broberg As An Adult