Jessyca Mullenberg’s peaceful world was shattered when her former teacher’s aide decided her life would be his to control.
At a Glance
- Jessyca Mullenberg was kidnapped at age 13 by Steven Oliver on Sept. 16, 1995.
- She was manipulated under the guise of a writing project trip.
- Oliver kept her captive for three months, abusing her daily.
- A hotel manager recognized them from “America’s Most Wanted,” leading to her rescue.
- Jessyca now advocates for child abuse prevention and education about grooming.
Unthinkable Ordeal
On September 16, 1995, 13-year-old Jessyca Mullenberg faced an unimaginable nightmare when she was kidnapped by Steven Oliver, a former teacher’s aide and creative writing instructor. Oliver deceived Jessyca by claiming a publisher was interested in her short story, luring her into his car for what she believed was a trip to Madison for a writing project. Instead, Oliver had other heinous plans.
Oliver had known Jessyca for years and obsessively planned her abduction. He took her on an eight-hour drive to Kansas City, bound, with her hands tied behind her back and ropes securing her legs under the seats. From there, they flew to Houston, where Jessyca faced the next three months of her ordeal.
A Captive Life
During her captivity, Oliver kept Jessyca bound and chained in various hotel rooms, constantly sexually and physically abusing her. He posed as her father, changed her appearance, and threatened to kill her family if she tried to escape or reveal her identity. Jessyca became so disconnected from reality that she forgot her own name.
Her parents, divorced but united in their search, knew Oliver was the abductor. Jessyca’s mother, Monica Lukasavige, described the period of Jessyca’s disappearance as a time of indescribable horror, not knowing if her child was being hurt, cold, hungry, or worse.
“My ex-husband phoned me, and when I first heard him say the words, that she was missing, I screamed. … It’s horrible. It is indescribable. You don’t know where your child is. You don’t know if they’re being hurt. You don’t know if they’re cold or hungry, or being abused,” she said.
Miraculous Rescue
The nightmare came to an end when a hotel manager recognized Oliver and Jessyca from an episode of “America’s Most Wanted.” He contacted the FBI, leading to Jessyca’s rescue after three grueling months of captivity. Authorities confirmed her identity by showing her pictures from her past, solidifying the reality of her escape.
Oliver was arrested and subsequently convicted in June 1997, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. Jessyca’s return brought profound relief and joy to her family, ending their dreadful ordeal.
“I woke up, and … my hands were tied behind my back,” Jessyca told ABC. “And then he had ropes, like, over my legs and then under the seats. He told me he was taking me and that there was nothing that I could do.”
A Voice for the Voiceless
Now known as Jessyca Christianson, she has transformed her traumatic experience into a powerful advocacy mission. She educates the public about child abuse, grooming, and the importance of recognizing warning signs. Jessyca frequently shares her story, emphasizing the need for awareness and prevention. Speaking to middle school students in 2017, she expressed her wishes to have known about child abuse and grooming sooner.
“I wish I would have known what child abuse was, what grooming was, what is appropriate for an adult to touch and not to touch,” she told a class of middle school students in 2017 during a speech about the warning signs of abuse. “If I would have known that I think I would have been in a different place right now,” she said.
Jessyca, now married with two teenage children, continues to speak publicly about her experiences and remains steadfast in her commitment to preventing other children from experiencing similar fates. Her advocacy efforts provide resources and support for victims of sexual abuse, offering them a lifeline in their darkest moments.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 for support.
