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Episode 129

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Published on:

9th Sep 2026

Abducted at Seven Years Old: Lauren Burns and Don Feeney’s Incredible Story of Survival, Courage, and Faith

Welcome to a very special edition of The Protectors Podcast.

In 1987, seven-year-old Lauren Burns was abducted by her father and taken thousands of miles away to Jordan. With no cell phones, no internet, and no idea whether she would ever see her mother again, Lauren was left to begin an entirely different life in a foreign country.

Today, Lauren shares what she experienced through the eyes of that frightened young child. We’re also joined by Don Feeney, a member of the team that carried out the extraordinary mission to bring her home. You’ll hear the story from both sides - from Lauren’s life in Jordan and the moment strangers suddenly arrived to take her away, to Don’s gripping account of the planning, danger, and execution of the rescue itself.

It is a remarkable true story that eventually inspired the NBC movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story. This is one special edition of the Protectors Podcast you will not want to miss.

The Protectors Podcast - Sharing Stories of Hope, Courage, and Perseverance.

GUEST CONTACT INFO:

Lauren Burns Bio: Lauren Burns is the author of Stolen: A True Story of Kidnapping, Rescue, and Redemption, a powerful true crime memoir based on her real-life experience of being abducted at age seven and taken to the Middle East. Her story made international headlines, featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, People, and Reader’s Digest, and later inspired a television movie. Today, Lauren is a sought-after speaker on trauma, redemption, and faith, and the host of The Redeemed Podcast. Through her speaking, podcast, and growing platform, Lauren shares powerful stories of resilience and restoration, helping others process past wounds, reclaim their identity, and experience freedom through forgiveness. Lauren holds a master's degree in physical therapy and lives in Texas with her husband and children.

Lauren Burns Website: https://www.laurenburns.net/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurenburnsredeemed/

Purchase the book here!: Stolen: A True Story—Kidnapped, Rescued, Redeemed

Redeemed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redeemed-podcast/id1741136389

Don Feeney, CEO Range 19: https://range19.com/personnel/

________________________________

IAFCI CONTACT INFO:

IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

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About the Podcast

IAFCI Presents... The Protectors
Presented by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators
From ATM Skimming to Human Trafficking, The Protectors Podcast takes you inside the minds of criminals from around the world with leading experts and the investigators who put them behind bars.  Presented by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), and hosted by International President Mark Solomon and Chairman of the Board Michael Carroll. The Protectors is a bi-weekly podcast that aims to educate consumers on the fraud, financial, and cybercriminal activities that are happening every second of every day.  Don’t become the next victim. The host's and guest's opinions are their own and do not reflect those of management, employers, or sponsors. Listeners are encouraged to contact local or state law enforcement if they suspect being a victim of a crime.

About your hosts

Michael Carroll

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Michael Carroll is a retired Postal Inspector after serving 29 years with the US Postal Inspection Service. Mike spent most of his career investigating financial crimes including identity theft, mail theft, credit card fraud, and scams involving the US Mail. Mike is proud to say he has returned to the Inspection Service as a Contractor/Analyst with the Chicago Division. Mike has been a long-time member of the IAFCI and held past positions as Illinois Chapter President, International Secretary, and International Vice President. Mike is currently the International President and co-chair of the Identity Crimes/Scams and Elder Exploitation and Webinar committee. Mike is also an instructor on Financial Crimes Investigations and Elder Exploitation at the Homeland Training Security Institute at College of DuPage. Mike is also a Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI)

Mark SOLOMON

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Mark Solomon is a Vice President for Fraud Investigations at a Financial Institution in Connecticut. Previously, he spent 26 years in law enforcement with 19 years in the Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, with 11 of those years assigned to a Federal Law Enforcement Task Force working large scale fraud, financial and cybercrime investigations.

Mark is a recognized expert in financial and cyber-crime investigations and has spoken throughout the U.S. and Internationally on skimming, access device fraud, identity theft, elder exploitation and other financially related crimes.

In 2010, Mark was selected as the MasterCard/IAFCI International “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” recipient. In 2014 Mark was a co-recipient of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Luminary Award for Intelligence Sharing. In 2015, Mark received the Dr. John Clarke Law Enforcement of the Year Award for the Greenwich Police Department and in 2016 was awarded the Financial Crime Investigator of the Year Award from the Henry C. Lee College at the University of New Haven.
In 2011, Mark became the IAFCI CT Chapter President and held the position until 2019. Currently, Mark is the IAFCI International 1st Vice President and is a Certified Cyber Crimes Investigator (CCCI) as well as a certified instructor for the CT Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) for identity theft and financial crimes Investigations.
Mark is also an adjunct professor with (2) Universities in Connecticut and a volunteer with the AARP’s Fraud Watch Network group.
Mark received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in the Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.