Produced in association with Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church, the faith-based film was inspired by a compilation of actual abduction and sex trafficking cases investigated by Sheriff Mike Brown of Bedford County, Va.
Estrada, who is a deputy sheriff there, said he also has been an investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for the past eight years.
“I decided, you know what, I need to do something where I can use my celebrity to bring attention to something that needs to be done in this country, and that is to promote Internet safety education in schools,” he said.
“Finding Faith” features the 65-year-old child advocate and celebrity as the sheriff and tells the story of a teenage girl named Faith who is abducted by adults after going to meet a boy she presumes to be close to her own age. The story is based on the experiences of three victims, Danielle Wade, Amanda Staubs and Holly Austin Smith, who came forward and told their stories of abduction.
Estrada said he has screened “Finding Faith” at theaters, churches and community centers nationwide because “education is the best prevention.”
“Kids don’t realize by posting pictures and having these conversations with strangers online, they’re getting groomed. They don’t realize they’re getting groomed, and they’re getting taken, and they’re getting shipped out,” Estrada said. “They’re taking our children, and they’re actually raping them on tape because it’s a big moneymaker, and then they’re shipping them out and … it’s a very dark subject, so I decided to make a movie on it (and) sprinkle it with the Lord and faith.”
Kim Yunkunis of Mason, who turned out to watch the film Wednesday, said it was dramatically presented.
“I thought it was pretty powerful in displaying how easily a young impressionable child could get sucked into this, even if she’s a normal, well-rounded child who has friends … and then also how quickly they could just disappear, and then you’re sort of helpless with trying to find them.”
Yunkunis praised Estrada not only for his involvement in “Finding Faith,” but for coming to speak about his own faith and the dangers of the Internet.
“I think it’s great that he’s taking time away (from his family) to do this,” she said.
The film showing was organized by The Faith Alliance of West Chester & Liberty Township.
“I think the churches and the leaders in the faith community as well as schools in the community at-large all have a responsibility to protect our children,” said Jay Shephard, the group’s founder. “This is a dark subject not often talked through at the dinner table with family, and the Faith Alliance of West Chester & Liberty Township wanted to show our leadership on the subject, and that’s why we brought it to the community.”
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