Jaycee Dugard was abducted in 1991 at the tender age of 11 while walking to a school bus stop in Lake Tahoe, California. Her kidnapping sparked a nationwide search, but she was never found. For nearly two decades, Dugard was held captive by Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, who lived in a hidden compound in their backyard. During her captivity, Dugard bore two daughters, fathered by Phillip Garrido. The situation changed dramatically in August 2009 when Garrido, seeking to enroll Dugard and their children in school, visited a local university accompanied by Dugard. University staff became concerned about the girls' ages and their unusual circumstances, prompting them to contact law enforcement.

When authorities arrived, they conducted a detailed investigation, which resulted in the confirmation of Dugard's identity and her subsequent rescue. The Garridos were arrested on charges related to kidnapping and false imprisonment. The remarkable nature of this case highlighted the failure of law enforcement to track the Garrido's criminal history, which included previous convictions for kidnapping and sexual assault. Dugard's return to her family brought both relief and complexity, as she had to navigate life after her traumatic experience and the challenges that came with reintegration into society.