In the story, sixteen-year-old Sylviaand her sister Jennyare fostered at the home of Indiana housewife Gertrudeby their working parents. After a few weeks, their parents still didn't show up, and the $20 a week they used to send in child support was cut off. The emotionally unstable Gertrude has six children, five with her ex-husband, and her youngest son, 22-year-old Andyin her neighborhood . The eldest daughter, Paula, is only nineteen years old and pregnant with her boyfriend's child. Paula shares this secret with Sylvia, but Sylvia accidentally tells it to protect Paula. As a result, Paula begins to After accusing Sylvia of various false "criminals" to her mother who loved her dearly, Gertrude decided that the "bad girl" must be punished. By the time Sylvia's parents came to pick them up, it was too late, Sylvia was locked in a dark basement and subjected to all kinds of unimaginable atrocities, and it wasn't just Gertrude who was tormenting her. people, her five older children, and a neighbor boy who knew Sylvia.
An American Crime movie plot
2022-01-28 08:20
Extended Reading
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Gertrude Baniszewski: You know what it's like to be sick, Sylvia. I've been sick for so long, too. I can't... discipline my kids they was I should. I punish them I know, but... sometimes with my medicine I gets so I don't know what I'm doing.
[begins to cry]
Gertrude Baniszewski: And I care for them so much. Paula, the thing is... Paula's a lot like me. I had her when I was just about your age. Then Stephanie. Then all the others. Then John left... And here I am on medicine, doing whatever I can to keep my family together. I want something better for Paula... There has to be something better... And I need to protect my children...
[cries]
Gertrude Baniszewski: Do you understand that? You kids... you're all I've got... Thank you, Sylvia. Thank you for understanding, thank you.
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Sylvia Likens: She sacrificed me to protect her children, and she sacrificed her children to protect herself.