20/20 September 22 2023: “Taken in the Night”
On a fall night in 1993, an intruder entered the home of 12-year-old Polly Klaas and kidnapped her during a sleepover with two friends while her mother slept in the next room. A new “20/20” reports on how the bold kidnapping spurred not only the small town of Petaluma, California, but the entire nation into action and explores the lasting impact of her case on the justice system, kidnapping investigation protocol, and much more.
Featuring reporting from ABC News correspondent Juju Chang, the two-hour program includes new and archival interviews with Marc Klaas and Eve Nichol, Polly’s parents; Anette Nelson, Polly’s best friend; lead FBI investigator Eddie Freyer; lead Petaluma Police Department Detective Vail Bello; and members of the cutting-edge FBI team called in to collect evidence that ultimately helped find Polly and bring her killer — Richard Allen Davis — to justice. “20/20” documents the case, from the surge of national attention and support in finding Polly to a chilling police encounter with Davis months before they identified him as Polly’s murderer. The program also includes an interview with journalist Kim Cross, who has written the comprehensive new book “In Light of All Darkness,” which chronicles the case and investigation. “20/20” airs on Friday, Sept. 22 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC, next day on Hulu.