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True crime enthusiasts might be familiar with the term “grooming,” a technique often used by predators to seduce young victims by winning their trust. The New York Times reports that grooming isn’t technically a crime in itself; however, this technique is often central to criminal acts involving the kidnapping and/or sexual assault of young people. While many crimes happen quickly under the cover of darkness, grooming takes place over an extended timeframe, beginning with actions that seem innocent and slowly gravitating toward more sinister forms of abuse.
According to Refinery29, Robert B. Berchtold had an arsenal of grooming tactics that he unleashed not only on Jan Broberg but also on her doting parents, who Jan described as trusting and ill-prepared for his advances. For example, in between kidnappings and sexual assaults, Berchtold sexually seduced both of Jan’s parents, Mary Anne and Bob Broberg. Berchtold’s brand of brainwashing and manipulation created chaos for the entire family, making it difficult for them to see the true nature behind his façade. He first created a string of personal and shameful secrets, which he later weaponized as blackmail against each parent.
Read Related Also: Alleged Child Killer Accused of Murdering 2 Young Arizona Girls Will Finally Face Jury
On a broader note, Berchtold infiltrated the entire Idaho church community by presenting himself as a carefully crafted character — loving father, God-fearing, kind, etc. The man behind that mask was a fervent predator hiding in broad daylight amid the tight-knit church-going community.
