How Lori Poland Nearly Lost Her Life To A Predator

The abduction of Lori Poland

On August 22, 1983, Richard and Diane Poland were spending time at their home in Sheridan, Colorado with their two young children, a 5-year-old boy, and their daughter Lori, who had just turned three. While Richard was watching the children play, Lori asked for a popsicle to help cool off from the hot summer day. When Richard went inside to retrieve the popsicles, he returned to find Lori missing and her pants left on the curb.

They immediately called the police to report her abduction, and a neighbor named Paul Weaver witnessed the entire event, providing authorities with the first half of the man's license plate number: ADV.

The Search for The Predator

The community rallied together to search for Lori, and flyers were posted throughout the city. A neighbor, Michael Fisher, recalled an incident involving a man in an orange Datsun following his children home from school earlier in the same week.

On the second day of Lori's disappearance, a woman named Wuanita Zappa called the police with information about , a 22-year-old man living in Denver, Colorado, who owned an orange Datsun with a license plate number that matched the one provided.

Authorities discovered Thiret's vehicle in his driveway, but he denied any involvement in Lori's abduction. After searching his home, authorities discovered no trace of Lori.

However, a Pennsylvania couple, Steven and Cynthia Gaulin, discovered Lori in a remote park in Colorado three and a half days after her disappearance. Lori was found in a latrine pit, 15 feet below the surface, crying out for her mother.

An off-duty firefighter, Stephen Bakker, rescued her from the pit, and she was reunited with her overjoyed parents. Lori's legs were severely infected and discolored from exposure to untreated methane gas and hydrogen sulfide in the cold and dirty pit.

Despite the initial fears of amputation, Lori made a miraculous recovery and was released from the hospital in a few days.

Thiret was identified by Lori as her abductor, and he was charged with attempted murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping.

However, just before the trial, he married his girlfriend, who provided an alibi for him on the day of the abduction. Prosecutors feared that there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of all charges, so they offered him a plea deal for sexual assault, dropping the other charges.

Thiret was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was released six years later for good behavior. During the trial, it was revealed that he had a chaotic childhood and was molested at the age of three. Today, Thiret is 61 years old and a high-risk sex offender living in San Pedro, California.

Where Is Lori Poland Today?

Lori Poland, who is happily married with three children, works as a therapist at Denver Counselling Options. Alongside her work, she is also an advocate and author, having studied diligently to pursue her passions.

After Lori Poland was rescued, she received treatment from Dick Krugman, who has since become her longtime friend. Together, they established a foundation focused on child welfare, called the National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect, with the aim of supporting children who have experienced similar challenges to Poland. In an interview with Colorado Matters, they discussed their enduring friendship and collaborative efforts.

While Poland is now a licensed therapist at Denver Counseling Options, Krugman has served as the dean of the CU Medical School in the past.

References:

Lori Poland Abuse: Where Is Lori Poland Kidnapper Robert Paul Thiret?

Lori Poland Partners With Her Childhood Doctor To Launch Child Welfare Foundation