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Teen 'doing fine' but has not spoken of alleged abduction

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UNION, Missouri (CNN) -- The parents of the 13-year-old boy allegedly abducted last week and held for four days said their son is recovering from the ordeal, but he has not discussed what happened.

On Friday authorities found William "Ben" Ownby in the suburban St. Louis apartment of pizzeria worker Michael Devlin.

Police say Devlin, 41, snatched the teenager January 8 when the boy got off a school bus 500 feet from his house in Union.

"Ben's doing fine," Doris Ownby said Tuesday. (Watch Ben Ownby's parents talk about their son )

She and her husband have sought professional counseling for the entire family.

"They said not to push a child that's been through something like that," Ben's father, William Ownby, said about his son's ordeal.

"Eventually, they'll come to terms and volunteer that -- or not. That's fine. He hasn't volunteered anything, yet. But they say it takes time."

The same time Ben was found, police also discovered 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck in Devlin's home.

Shawn was reported missing four years ago.

Wants to go back to school

Neighbors apparently didn't question whether the boys belonged with Devlin. Some said they thought that Devlin and Shawn were father and son. But neighbors reportedly did say they heard banging and arguments from inside Devlin's apartment. (Watch what neighbors and friends knew about Devlin)

Devlin has been charged with one count of first-degree kidnapping. He was being held on $1 million bail, and prosecutors say more charges are likely. He is due in court Thursday. (Read full story)

Ben Ownby didn't come to the news conference his parents held at a school administration building. He earlier thanked police and a friend for giving authorities a description of the white truck Devlin was driving when Ben was allegedly abducted. (Read full story)

Though Ben wanted to return to school Tuesday, his parents said they kept him at home to give him more time to regain a sense of normalcy.

"It's just been crazy," Doris Ownby said. "We think that he needs to get back to normal."

The Ownbys thanked law enforcement, school officials and members of the news media for the return of their son.

During the past few days, William Ownby said the family -- including Ben's sister, Amanda -- has watched a movie together, played cards and attempted to give Ben "as much quiet time as we can give him, so he feels a little bit more comfortable at home."

William Ownby said he had not spoken with anyone from the Hornbeck family, preferring instead to "give them their space."

The father described the whole incident as "surreal -- like it didn't really happen."

But he said he is constantly reminded that it did indeed happen -- when he turns on the television or leaves the house.

"We can't go anywhere right now without people recognizing us," he said.

The parents said they have not decided how to ensure their boy makes it home from school safely in the future.

"We're working on that right now," Doris Ownby said.

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