Chowchilla, California, was the site of a terrifying kidnapping in 1976, in which 26 students and their bus driver disappeared. Three men carried out the heinous crime of sealing the victims inside a moving van before burying it in a quarry. The prisoners were confined for 16 hours below before they escaped by clearing a path through the rubble.

The Chowchilla kidnapping’s tragic nature sent shockwaves across the country and highlighted the precarious position of schoolchildren. The prisoners’ resourcefulness and law enforcement’s prompt capture of the culprits demonstrated the efficacy of community and cooperation.

After this terrifying event, schools and public transportation systems implemented new safety protocols to better protect their pupils. The kidnapping of the Chowchilla children continues to serve as a sobering reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the critical importance of protecting our most vulnerable citizens.