Reading through this thread from the beginning -- I just have to say that I am --utterly gobsmacked-- at some the older posts declaring there's no such thing as organised pedophile rings, multiple pedos abducting kids, etc. Seriously?
I am equally stunned by the whole FBI and 'shaved legs' thing.. How can they even tell her legs are shaved, in that light? Some kids don't have visible body hair, especially with a tan.. and that girl could be anywhere from 12 to 16-17, IMO.
Makes me wonder what planet some folks live on. Anyway...
I've often wondered if these pics were taken by an abusive parent or relative. That these kids have never been identified or soundly linked to missing persons cases even after all this time makes me think it could have been a parent making images to sell or share.
The book (plus apparently a cup and a plastic squirtgun, according to Doe network) in the image suggests a more 'domestic' scene than a kidnap, to me - and the tape really does look a bit staged (ie, easy to remove by moving the jaw), while the hatred in that girl's eyes doesn't at all - I can see a sick step-daddy ordering the kids to pose... or else.
I don't think it's a hoax - hoaxers (especially young ones) tend to seek maximum attention, and a single picture on the ground in a carpark, where it might never have been discovered at all, doesn't really fit the MO of a hoaxer who'd go to all that trouble of staging the pic, IMO. Young kids would also not be driving a van...
In any case, the picture is certainly disturbing and no doubt there's a ton of creepy pedos out there who've enjoyed it over the years.