[141], James Nedder began his closing argument in defense of Richard Hobbs by referring to the loss of Likens, stating: "She had a right to live. He became a lay minister, frequently hosting counseling sessions for the children of divorced parents. Mermel, Marcy: "Mrs. Baniszewski Portrayed as a New Woman", Beaman-Conrad-Liscomb-Union-Whitten Community School, List of child abuse cases featuring long-term detention, "The 1965 Torture and Murder of Sylvia Likens", "The Torturing Death of Sylvia Marie Likens: Foster Care", "The Murder of Sylvia Likens, As Told Over 50 Years Ago", "Sylvia Likens and "Indiana's Most Terrible Crime", "The Torturing Death of Sylvia Marie Likens: A Dubious Start", "Jenny Fay Likens Sister of Deceased Sylvia Likens", "The Torturing Death of Sylvia Marie Likens: The Slow Descent Into Horror", "When Sylvia Likens was Killed, Part of Our Childhoods Died, Too", "Looking Back On Indiana's Most Infamous Crime, 50 Years Later", "Teen Girl Fatally Bullied in Indiana House of Horrors", "The Torturing Death of Sylvia Marie Likens: Was She a Masochist? Gertrude was found guilty of first-degree murder and served 20 years behind bars. The Hobbs boy, WebBorn Gertrude Van Fossan, 1929, in Indianapolis, Indiana; died of lung cancer, 1990; m. John Baniszewski (div. [140], Forrest Bowman began his closing argument in an openly critical manner as he attacked the decision of the prosecution to seek the death penalty for juveniles, stating: "I would like to have an hour of [the jury's] time to explain why 16-year-olds and 13-year-olds should not be put to death." Upon hearing this, Gertrude asked, "Why did you do that, Sylvia?" 
Her eyes were sunken in, and her face was very slender. A neighborhood kid and Stephanie Baniszewskis boyfriend, Hubbard was a full participant in Sylvias torture. She was paroled in 1985, moved to Iowa, changed her name, and died in 1990 due to lung cancer. Based on Jennys formal statement, authorities arrested Gertrude; her children Paula, Stephanie, and John Jr. Baniszewski; Coy Hubbard; and Richard Hobbs on murder charges. She was fired from the school system, and with a past so notorious, her future looks bleak. Upon returning home that day, Stephanie questioned Likens about the rumor and she admitted to starting it. [19], By June 1965, Sylvia and Jenny Likens resided with their parents in Indianapolis. Founded in 2010 in Lebanon, Indiana, and initially named the Boone County Child Advocacy Center, this non-profit organization was renamed in Likens' honor in 2016, with the executive director stating: "The most important thing that we can do is tell kids they are hurt and we are listening. When police arrived at her address at approximately 6:30p.m.,[89] Gertrude led the officers to Likens' emaciated,[90] extensively bludgeoned, and mutilated body lying upon a soiled mattress in the bedroom[73] before handing them the letter she had forced Likens to write previously by her dictation. He then ended his closing argument with a plea for the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on a girl who had "gone through the indignity of being tried in an open court". Record information. He was very effusive and said, Come inside, I want to introduce you to my boss, Bowman recalls. When questioned at trial as to her motive for turning state's evidence, Stephanie stated: "I'm just here in the hope I can help anybody!" Schuster testified as to his belief that Gertrude was sane and fully in control of her actions, adding that she had been sane in October 1965, and remained sane to this date. I thought she was a downtrodden, mean woman.. [24], Deputy Prosecutor Marjorie Wessner delivered the state's closing argument before the jury on behalf of the prosecution. In a masterpiece of understatement, he once told a reporter that My mom was a very selfish, self-centered woman..
Gertrude Baniszewski eventually allowed Likens to sleep upstairs, on the condition that she learned not to wet herself. Gertrude Baniszewski, then 37, and 12-year-old John would force her to eat her own feces. Since then, she has once more slipped off the grid. (Global Criminologists) Shirley Baniszewski at 10-years-old. [87], Stephanie and Richard then decided to give Likens a warm, soapy bath and dress her in new clothes. [53] She was denied any access to the bathroom, being forced to wet herself. [52] Jenny, in particular, struggled against the urge to notify family members, as she had been threatened by Gertrude that she would herself be abused and tortured to the same degree as her sister if she did so. John allegedly had a violent temper and was physically abusive; they were married for ten years. The Grundy County Sheriffs Office in Iowa received an ominous voice mail earlier this month: A teachers aide at the local high school was a member of an Indianapolis family that tortured and killed a girl in 1965. This is how Sylvia looked before all the torture. in order to rouse her. On both occasions, however, the Vermillions witnessed Paula physically abusing Likenswho on both occasions had a black eyeand openly boasting about her mistreatment of the child to them. Although 36 years old and 5feet 6inches (168cm) in height, she weighed only 100 pounds (45kg)[5] and has been described as a "haggard, underweight asthmatic"[6] chain smoker suffering from clinical depression due to the stress of three failed marriages, a failed relationship, and a recent miscarriage. Through intimidation, her younger sister, Jenny, was occasionally forced to participate in her mistreatment.
Her attendance was always spotty, but she soon found work in the school cafeteria, which guaranteed her one hot meal a day, a great relief for the malnourished girl. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Paula, however, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter to avoid another trial. Ha ha ha! [95] The same day, Coy Hubbard and Richard Hobbs were also arrested and charged with the same offenses. Here, a peek at the lives of the participants in the murder of Sylvia Likens 50 years later.
As a result, laws changed and awareness increased. Stephanie Baniszewski sister Shirley Baniszewski sister James Baniszewski brother Edward Guthrie stepfather Dennis Lee Wright mother's ex-partner Dennis Lee Wright, Jr half brother Mary Jane Blake stepmother view all Marie Baniszewski's Timeline Genealogy Directory: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T [24] In response, Gertrude began venting her frustration at this fact upon the sisters by beating their bare buttocks with various instruments, such as a one-quarter-inch-thick (6.4mm) paddle, making statements such as, "Well, I took care of you two little bitches for a week for nothing! [62] In response, Gertrude inflicted a light scour wound to Likens' leg. After a few years, John and Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was the son of John S., Sr. and Mary Blake of Mt. Members of both groups initiated a sidewalk picket campaign. She escaped in 1971 but was recaptured. The house itself was demolished on April 23, 2009. Exclusive Events + Special Offers. Shortly thereafter, Gertrude shouted for Likens to return to the kitchen, then ordered her to strip naked before proclaiming to her: "You have branded my daughters; now I am going to brand you." But in 1965, prosecutors painted her as one of the ringleaders in the torture of Sylvia Maria Likens, a 16-year-old who moved in with the Baniszewskis while her mother was on the road as a traveling entertainer, according to the Indianapolis Star. [107][174], Richard Hobbs, Coy Hubbard, and John Baniszewski Jr. all served less than two years in the Indiana Reformatory before being granted parole on February 27, 1968. "[32], On another occasion, as the family ate supper, Gertrude, Paula, and a neighborhood boy named Randy Gordon Lepper, force-fed Likens a hot dog overloaded with condiments, including mustard, ketchup and spices. Rather than getting her removed from the house to save her life, she went along with her evil mother & twisted siblings! Record information. Gertrude Baniszewski was a single mother with seven children Paula, 17, Stephanie, 15, John, 12, Marie, 11, Shirley, 10 and James and Dennis, 18 months. [144] Outlining the catalog of mistreatment Likens had endured prior to her death at the hands of each of the defendants, New directly addressed criticism he had earlier received from Forrest Bowman in his closing argument regarding the prosecution "cross-examining children", stating: "The prosecutors' job is to present the evidence to the best of our ability. Shortly thereafter, Baniszewski remarried her first husband, with whom she had two more children. Her autopsy showed 150 wounds across her body, including several burns, scald marks and eroded skin. I said sure.
Sylvia Likens' death is credited with the adoption of Indiana's mandated reporter law, and with an increased understanding of the investigation and recognition of abuse. "[94][93], The formal statement provided by Jenny Likens prompted officers to arrest Gertrude, Paula, Stephanie, and John Baniszewski Jr. on suspicion of Likens' murder within hours of the discovery of her body. Confirming Pace's original identity, the school district suspended her. --Richard Hobbs, testifying as to Gertrude Baniszewski's decision to carve an insult into Likens' abdomen on October 23, 1965.
In the years between his release from the Indiana Reformatory and his death, he is known to have suffered at least one nervous breakdown. It wasnt children going wild. No further action was taken. Because he was only 8 at the time, James was not arrested nor called to testify, although some reports suggested he played a role in the crime. At the time of this boarding agreement, Gertrude assured Lester she would care for his daughters until his return as if they were her own children. 
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Somos dos ridculas a las que les encantan los crmenes.
Within hours after the bodys discovery, police detained Gertrude, Paula, Stephanie, and John Baniszewski Jr. on suspicion of Likens murder due to the formal statement Jenny Likens delivered. [134] Dr. Schuster was subjected to over two hours of intense cross-examination by Gertrude's lawyer, William Erbecker, although he remained steadfast that Gertrude was not and had never been psychotic. In response to this effort, Gertrude stamped upon Likens' head before standing and staring at her for several moments. Stephanie Baniszewski when she was in 1st grade Stephanie would be approximately 65/66 years old today, if she is still living. This article appeared in theOctober2015 Issue. Copyright 2023 Indianapolis Monthly, All Rights Reserved. [178] Shortly after the January 2007 premiere of the crime drama film An American Crime, Hubbard was fired from his job. Stephanie Baniszewski's house in Floral City, FL (Google Maps) Floral City, Florida (FL), US Like Tweet Share Pin The daughter of Gertrude Baniszewski, who tortured and murdered Sylvia Likens in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965, known as the worst crime ever commited in the state of Indiana, lives here. [71] Both Hobbs and 10-year-old Shirley Baniszewski then led Likens into the basement where each proceeded to use an anchor bolt in an attempt to burn the letter "S" beneath Likens' left breast, although they applied one section of the loop backwards, and this deep burn scar would resemble the number 3. [24], Fourteen years before her own death, Jenny Likens Wade had viewed Gertrude Baniszewski's obituary in a newspaper; she clipped the section from the newspaper, then mailed it to her mother with an accompanying note reading: "Some good news. Hobbs, the neighborhood kid, contacted the police to report the death. She visited the property in an attempt to initiate regular contact. Sylvias father was a carnival worker who decided to leave his kids with a third party while he and his wife, Betty, were on the road. The content of this letter was intended to frame a group of anonymous local boys for extensively abusing and mutilating Likens after she had initially agreed to engage in sexual relations with them before they inflicted the extreme abuse and torture upon her body. "[9] The Reverend Gibson then strode towards Likens' casket before adding, "She has gone to eternity. Hobbs testified Gertrude had begun etching the insult into Likens' abdomen before asking him to finish the task. Following the arrest of their mother, the Marion County Department of Public Welfare placed Marie, Shirley, and James Baniszewski in the care of separate foster [100] All were charged with causing injury to person and each was subsequently released into the custody of their parents under subpoena to appear as witnesses at the upcoming trial. Jenny insisted the rumors were.
They were released on parole in 1968. [187], In June 2001, a six-foot-tall (1.8m) granite memorial was formally dedicated to Sylvia Likens' life and legacy in Willard Park, Washington Street, Indianapolis. Managed
"[93], As previously instructed by Gertrude, Jenny Likens recited the rehearsed version of events leading to Likens' death to police, before whispering to the officers: "You get me out of here and I'll tell you everything. "[142], Nedder ended his closing argument by requesting a verdict of not guilty, stating Hobbs was "guilty of immaturity and gross lack of judgement", but not of the crime of murder. The couple had two children, although she remained traumatized by the abuse she had been forced to watch her sister endure. "[125], The following day, Gertrude Baniszewski testified in her own defense. I never thought she was insane, Bumppo says. WebStephanie Baniszewski's attorney got her a separate trial and later the murder charge against her was dropped as well. Gertrude moved Likens into the kitchen and, having propped her back against a wall, attempted to feed her a doughnut and a glass of milk. If you go below the death penalty (in your verdicts) in this case, you will lower the value of human life by that much for each defendant. "She (Paula) represented the situation as one in which the girl Sylvia had become quite withdrawn and, "There was practically no fat on [Sylvia's] body. She later married and had several children. When Paula asked her to recite the English alphabet, Likens was unable to recite anything beyond the first four letters or to raise herself off the ground.
[157][158] Jenny Likens and other immediate family members of Likens vehemently protested against any prospect of her release. [50] A few days later, Gertrude repeatedly whipped Jenny with the police belt after she reportedly stole a single tennis shoe from the school to wear on her strong foot.
(Discover and Conquer) Dennis Lee Wright Jr. [189], The Sylvia's Child Advocacy Center is officially dedicated to the memory of Sylvia Likens. None reported what they saw. (Pinterest) Marie Baniszewski, who was 11-years-old. Baniszewski, now 64, has been going by the name Paula Pace and has worked for the BCLUW school district in Conrad, Iowa, since 1998. [98], Lacking any remorse, Paula signed a statement admitting to having repeatedly beaten Likens about the backside with her mother's police belt, once breaking her wrist on Likens' jaw, and inflicting other acts of brutality, including pushing her down the stairs into the basement "two or three times," and inflicting a black eye. Your front tooth was knocked out when you were seven." John Baniszewski and two other boys ages 16 and 15 were convicted of manslaughter. [101], The autopsy of Likens' body revealed she had suffered in excess of 150 separate wounds across her entire body, in addition to being extremely emaciated at the time of her death. She changed her name to Stephanie Serikstad and had several children of her own. Though she admitted to participating to some degree in Sylvias abuse, she was granted a special trial and then all charges against her were dropped, likely because she agreed to turn states evidence against her family. One of the reasons Dianna initially believed Sylvia and Jenny had been exaggerating the scale of abuse Sylvia in particular endured at the Baniszewski household was that their father had occasionally struck his five children with a belt as a form of discipline for misbehavior.
In this case, they had an adult supervising what they were doing. Birthdate: estimated between 1933 and 1989.
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