What is chowchilla kidnapping?

The Chowchilla kidnapping was a high-profile abduction that took place in Chowchilla, California on July 15, 1976. A school bus carrying 26 children and the bus driver was hijacked by three men armed with guns. The kidnappers drove the bus to a quarry where they buried the children and driver in a moving van that had been buried underground.

The children and driver were able to escape after being trapped underground for 16 hours by digging their way out and seeking help from nearby residents. The kidnappers were later identified as Fred Woods, James Schoenfeld, and his brother Richard Schoenfeld. They were apprehended and eventually convicted for their crimes.

The Chowchilla kidnapping was a terrifying ordeal that shocked the nation and led to increased security measures for school buses. The children and driver involved in the kidnapping have since recovered from the traumatic experience, but the incident remains a dark chapter in the history of California.