How Sammy Davis Jr. Played a Role in Dawn’s Story

Introduction: A Tale of Two Worlds

At first glance, the worlds couldn't be more different. On one hand, the dazzling, high-energy universe of Hollywood legend Sammy Davis Jr. On the other, the dark, hidden reality of child abduction and psychological abuse. In Dawn McCarty’s memoir, Sealed to My Abductor, these two worlds collide in a way that is both poignant and profound. The story of Sammy Davis Jr.'s connection to her life is not a tangential celebrity anecdote; it is a critical thread in the narrative, serving as a symbol of the life that was stolen and a key to unsealing the truth.

1. The "Before": A Childhood in the Inner Circle

Before the abduction, Dawn’s early childhood was touched by the glamour of Old Hollywood. Her father was a trusted member of Sammy Davis Jr.'s inner circle, responsible for managing the personal firearms the star used in his films and even acting alongside him. This position granted the family access to a private world of film sets, pool parties, and personal moments.

The most vivid of these memories is of a private performance. At just two years old, Dawn remembers jumping on a grand couch in Sammy’s home while he sang "The Candy Man" just for her—possibly before the song was ever released to the public. It is a memory of pure joy, safety, and a world where she was cherished—a world where her father was a constant, loving presence.

Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dawn (bottom left)
*Images Provided by Dawn McCarty*

Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dawn (right) looking at puppy

2. The Abduction: Erasing the Past

The abduction in 1973 was a cataclysmic event that didn't just sever Dawn from her father; it severed her from that entire reality. The memories of Sammy Davis Jr. and the life she knew were systematically erased, replaced by the narrative of a "new daddy" and sealed by a fraudulent adoption and a manipulative religious doctrine. That world of warmth and music was locked away, a ghost of a life she was taught to forget. For decades, the story of Sammy Davis Jr. was a fragmented memory, a whisper from a life that felt like it might never have been real.

3. The Unsealing: A Legacy in a Box of Photos

Decades later, the key to unlocking that lost chapter of her life came in an unexpected form: a box of inherited, never-before-seen photographs of Sammy Davis Jr. These weren't press photos; they were personal, candid moments captured by her father.

The discovery of these photos was more than a nostalgic find; it was tangible proof. It was evidence of the man her father was, the life they shared, and the deep bond of trust that existed. In partnership with Sammy's son, Manny Davis, and in honor of Sammy’s upcoming 100th birthday celebration, these photos are now being shared with the world.

Conclusion: A Symbol of a Stolen Legacy

Find out how Sammy Davis Jr. plays a crucial role in Dawn’s reunification story as a symbol of her stolen legacy. The joyful memories represent the innocence that was taken. The long-lost photos represent the tangible truth that could not be erased. His presence in her story is a constant, glittering reminder of her father and the profound loss at the heart of her abduction. In sharing these photos and memories, Dawn is not just paying tribute to a legend; she is unsealing a critical piece of her own history and reclaiming the narrative that was stolen from her all those years ago.

The story of Sammy Davis Jr. is a glimpse into the world that was lost.

The prologue to Sealed to My Abductor doesn't start at the beginning. It drops you directly into the Salt Lake Temple for the chilling sealing ceremony that bound Dawn to her abuser for eternity.

From that moment, it flashes back to the life that was stolen—a world of innocence, family, and private moments with Sammy.

Download the prologue now to experience the moment everything was sealed, and to witness the life that was lost. You'll get instant access and be added to the official waitlist for book release updates.

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About the Author

Dawn McCarty is a #1 international best-selling author and award-winning cybersecurity expert who applies the rigorous principles of threat detection and risk management to the complex landscape of childhood trauma. An abduction survivor turned global advocate, her work in promoting systemic reform earned her the Catalyst for Change Award for advancing SDG #10 – Reduced Inequalities.

Dawn’s personal story—marked by abduction, grooming, and the weaponization of the Mormon religion within a dynamic of pathogenic and cult-like parenting, is the driving force behind her life's work. This lived experience, combined with over 25 years in cybersecurity and a background in cyberpsychology, gives her a rare, 360-degree understanding of both technological and human threats. She uniquely compares the breach of a child's safety to a critical security breach in a system, providing innovative strategies for threat detection, risk mitigation, and building resilience.

This synthesis of survivor insight and expert analysis is the foundation of her upcoming Unsealed Trilogy. The series begins with her gripping memoir, Sealed to My Abductor; continues with the analytical framework, Doctrine of One: The Cult of Two; and culminates in the groundbreaking clinical dissection, Anatomy of a Psychological Mind-F*ck. She is also the creator of the Digital Defense series, which equips families against cyber and AI-related threats.

Her multidisciplinary expertise is grounded in extensive academic training, with degrees in Criminal Justice (B.S. in Psychology of Victimology, M.S. in Crime Scene and Evidence Management), B.S. in Computer Science, and an MBA in Cybersecurity. As the founder of the Thrivers Speak® and Securing Everything, and co-founder of the Nothing About Us, Without Us (NAUWOU™) conference, Dawn leads the charge to protect children from online predators and toxic family dynamics—particularly those involving severe Child Psychological Abuse (CPA) linked to undue influence, child predators, pathogenic parenting, alienation, and abduction.

Through her writing, speaking, and advocacy, Dawn provides a roadmap for deconstructing trauma and creating safe, informed environments for the next generation.