SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The town where Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped 18 years ago celebrated her astounding reappearance with a parade Sunday while she remained secluded with her family in northern California.
Dugard’s former classmates and teachers were among those who took part in the 1-mile march along South Lake Tahoe’s main drag to celebrate her safe return. She was snatched from a school bus stop in the resort town in 1991 at the age of 11.
“We just want her to know that we love her and support her,” said Jillian Broadfoot, 30, who attended Meyers Elementary School with Dugard at the time. “I think Tahoe lost its innocence with the kidnapping, and hopefully her return restores a little faith here.”
South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Terry Daniels estimated 2,000 people took part in the parade and another 500 people joined them at a rally afterward. Most wore pink attire or held pink balloons in recognition of Dugard’s favorite color. The parade route was lined by pink ribbons on trees.
Sunday’s parade followed the reverse route of a march held on the 10th anniversary of Dugard’s abduction. Dugard had been living in the South Lake Tahoe area with her mother, stepfather and infant sister for less than a year when she was snatched off the street.
Phillip Garrido, 58, and his wife, 54-year-old Nancy Garrido, have pleaded not guilty to 29 counts of kidnapping, rape and false imprisonment in Dugard’s disappearance.
“All I want to do is cry right now,” said Karen Gillis-Tinlin, principal of Meyers Elementary School when the kidnapping occurred. “I feel overwhelming joy and happiness. Obviously, Jaycee hasn’t been forgotten. She has remained in our minds and hearts all these years.”
