Jaycee Dugard ‘so happy’ to be back with family

A SMILING, seemingly happy Jaycee Lee Dugard graces the cover of an upcoming issue of People Magazine as a sign that after 18 years in captivity, life is finally getting back to normal.

Dugard, who was snatched from a bus stop when she was 11, turned up at a California police station after 18 mysterious years, and a convicted sex offender and his wife were arrested in the kidnapping.

“I am so happy to be back with my family, nothing is more important than the unconditional love and support I have from them,” Dugard told People in an issue that is out tomorrow.

While Dugard has been protective over her privacy, a family spokesman said she wanted to show the world she’s doing all right.

“She has such a deep appreciation for this new life that she’s embarking on,” Dugard family spokesman Erika Price Schulte told Good Morning America yesterday. “She did want to thank everyone and really let everyone see how happy she is and how much she’s enjoying this and how happy she is to be home.”

Dugard was 11-years-old when she was allegedly abducted by Phillip Garrido, who police say held her captive in the backyard of his California home for 18 years and fathered two children with her.

The family spokeswoman says Dugard, her two daughters, mother and sister are close, comfortable and happy and says that they “seem like any other family”.

Erika Shulte told NBC’s Today show yesterday that Dugard has formed a very close bond with her sister, Shana, who was just ababy when Dugard was kidnapped.

Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, have been charged with kidnapping and rape in Dugard’s 18-year disappearance.

The Garridos have pleaded not guilty.