In his adult life, Blake has had no run-ins with the law. He's suppose to be a minister, but many they have heard him speak and that he really just wants to talk about as a sadistIt sounds like he has no remorse and still has his sick, evil family roots. But we are trying hard to collect all the information about him and will update you soon. Also, we have no idea about his brother and sister, and we dont know their names either. By 1965, Baniszewski lived alone with her seven children: Paula (17), Stephanie (15), John (12), Marie (11), Shirley (10), James (8), and Dennis Jr. (1). The youngest of the Baniszewski children, Dennis was a newborn when Sylvia met her fate. Stephanie in real life walked into the house right as Sylvia was inserting the coke bottle, but instead of stopping the incident like as shown in An American Crime, she actually made the situation worse by going up to Sylvia and slapping her across the face, ordering her to go up into her room. She would regularly rally to Likens' defense. All of these lawyers worked for their indigent clients free of charge. She wrote that she was able to speak with her mother on the phone, and they told each other, "I love you.". It was a girl. Relationships Stephanie Baniszewski has been in a relationship with Coy Hubbard. Figures Florida would have somebody like that as a teacher. . Stephanie Baniszewski: 15 years old at the time of Sylvia's death. He became a semi-recluse, tormented by voices only he could hear. He asked that NBC News not use his name. Although the 10-year-old heated a needle that was used to burn the victim, she was never charged with any crime. As Gertrude and a gang of teenagers watched, Sylvia was forced to undress in the living room and insert an empty Coke bottle into her vagina. 95.142.101.145 Some wounds time will never heal. His contributions included using her as a practice dummy for judo flips and punches and shoving her down the basement stairs. It was called the most terrible crime ever committed in Indiana, and over half a century later, that title still holds. anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). The following is a link to evidence against Stephanie's innocence. BANISZEWSKI: She would not do anything I told her, no. Standing trial for first degree murder in Indianas most sensational case ever were five people: one adult, Gertrude Baniszewski and four minors, Paula Baniszewski, John Baniszewski, Richard Hobbs, and Coy Hubbard. When he spoke publicly for the first time about Sylvias death he said he still could not adequately explained why he and the others turned on the girl the way they did. He said that he harbored a great deal of anger over his parents marital break-up and the lack of adequate food and clothing for him and his siblings. On October 26, 1965, Indianapolis police were called to 3850 E. New York St., where Sylvias body lay on a mattress. The Basement is an odd combination of nonsense and brilliance, of fact and fiction together with the authors personal reactions to the crime. It was called the most terrible crime ever committed in Indiana, and half a century later, that title still holds. After working at a school under an assumed name for 14 years, Paula's identity has been revealed. Heres what happened to this tragedys principal players. Mrs. Baniszewski. On the surface, the Likens murder is not much different from any number of heinous crimes. 21ms. The third-oldest of the Baniszewski children and an active participant in Sylvias torture, John was 12 when she died. Evans was deeply involved with the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and her book is directed primarily at African American youngsters. Sylvia also suffered from extreme malnutrition. Also, we have no information about his son and daughter. Hobbs, along with Baniszewskis son John and another neighborhood boy, Coy Hubbard, were convicted of manslaughter. Stephanie cared about Sylvia. Stephanie Kay Baniszewski - Daughter of Defendant Gertrude Baniszewski The State Rests - Defendant Gertrude Baniszewski Presents Sur-Rebuttal Gertrude Baniszewski - Defendant Defendant Gertrude Baniszewski Rests - The Court Presents Evidence on Defendant's Plea of Insanity Dwight Schuster - Physician Dewitt Brown - Physician Ronald Hull - Physician From the beginning, she had opportunities to tell neighbors what was going on, but she didnt because she feared she would make things worse. It wasnt children going wild. Add or change photo on IMDbPro. He reportedly died in February 2013 at the age of 86 in Fontana, California. Where Could Stephanie Baniszewski Now be? Although tried together, the attorneys for the defendants often worked at cross-purposes. Yes, Sylvia Likens was indeed a real person, and she did suffer under the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. She was kind of scary her presence was scary, he said. Sylvias carnival-worker parents boarded her and her sister Jenny with Baniszewski for $20 a week. I betcha it is still alive and living a good life. He died in June of that year in Shelbyville. Weeks of escalating horror followed. Years of poverty and abuse had worn Baniszewski down and although she was thirty-six years old, she weighed only 100 There is a special place in hell waiting for you! In 1971, the Indiana Supreme Court overturned the convictions of Gertrude and Paula, saying that jurors had been prejudiced by publicity and that the trials. The story is told from the viewpoint of the victim, young Marjorie who is, along with her little brother Bruce and their dog Rocket, boarded at the home of Florrie Genoud. Look it up. Pretty Meg and her sister Susan have been orphaned and sent to live with their Aunt Ruth Chandler, a mother of three boys whose home is a magnet for neighborhood kids. Coy Hubbard was, at first represented by Joseph Quill. [But] I take full responsibility for whatever happened to Sylvia. She left prison December 4, 1985. The easiest to get hold of is The Basement by feminist Kate Millett. The details of her demise, revealed at the 1966 trial, defy belief. The teenaged Dianne is described as bony like Mrs. Wright. Sylvias body was malnourished and covered with sores, burns, and bruises, many of them old. She appealed and was granted a new trial in which she was again convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Near the end, Sylvia was no longer permitted to leave the house. As indicated by an alternate source, it appears Stephanie Baniszewski has changed her name and relocated to Florida, where the report recommends that she is hitched and has youngsters. As per an alternate source, she has been in a conjugal relationship with her better half for a long time. She worked in the sewing shop and tended to make favorable impressions upon both prison staff and other inmates. Recently reissued by Borf Books, it is good journalism, written in a restrained and compassionate manner. BANISZEWSKI: I think I answered your question. Allegedly the only member of the Baniszewski clan to show public remorse for his deeds, he made no attempt to hide his past and even spoke about it publicly on occasion. It is so messed up that Sylvia got beat because she was prettier than Paula and Stephanie. But that was just a bunch of uncontrolled children. Stephanie admitted to participating in Sylvia's abuse, but to some degree, she was given a special trail . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Ha ha ha! Many of the younger imprisoned women called the child killer and mother of seven by a title most familiar to her: Mom. According to the Chicago Tribune, prison psychiatrists termed Baniszewski a healthy, stable, pleasant and agreeable person who wants to try to make up for the past and leave the world a little better. At the hearing, Baniszewski teared up frequently and expressed remorse but claimed amnesia about the crime. None pushed to be sure she was safe. Paula was stern, he said, but did not discipline her children physically. The Estimated Net worth is $80K USD $85k. He doesnt know who sent him the message but assumes it was someone he knew who opened an account under an alias. It started with Gertrude using a fraternity style paddle on Sylvia and Jenny for various offenses, such as exchanging soft drink bottles for change at a nearby grocery. may you rest in pest sylvia. Microsoft has removed the Birds Eye imagery for this map. I dunno; it's hard for me to feel her kids were entirely responsible for their actions considering the parent they had. Bedwell is the older sister of Likens, whose torture and slaying captured the sympathy of the public in the decades after the horrific crime, Bedwell's stepdaughter told The Indianapolis Star. Another neighborhood kid who tortured Sylvia, Hobbs performed the infamous act of helping to carve the words I am a prostitute and proud of it into her stomach with a large needle. It was children doing what they were told.. The prosecution team was led by Leroy New, a tall, handsome 40-something fellow known for his skill in cross examination. Someone should track her down because it says she's a Florida teacher. Sylvia was seriously tormented to the demise by Gertrude Baniszewski, where Gertrude likewise elaborate a portion of her kids and two area kids in tormenting Sylvia. He also reportedly lost his job in 2007 when the movie An American Crime, about the Sylvia Likens case, debuted. Prosecutor New made an impassioned plea for the death penalty for all of the accused. You must be thinking. IMDbPro Starmeter. Betty Likens died in 1999 at the age of 71. Her story of how she first heard about Sylvia brings up the issue of the girls sexual conduct. She wasnt conditioned to believe that anyone would help her. Sylvia finally succumbed to her injuries after months of torture. Milletts account of the courtroom testimony is riveting. I feel a breeze; strength. George Rice, a Ph.d in psychology as well as a member of the bar, was Paulas lawyer. To back up Mrs. B.s story, Marie Baniszewski was called to the stand. Was thinking of Shirley who disappeared. The Likens family continued to endure considerable hardship. Gertrude just kept beating me. Defense attorneys would pursue this point at length. May 4, 1966 -- Where Branded Girl Died -- State and defense attorneys today viewed this mattress laying on the floor of the Gertrude Baniszewski home where police said they found the beaten and branded body of Sylvia Marie Likens. But the cops could tell by the condition of the victim that this had been no single incident. Contribute Who is Stephanie Baniszewski dating? Confirming Pace's original identity, the school district suspended her. The death penalty in Indiana at the time was carried out by the electric chair. Marie replied, Im here to testify to see if my mom killed Sylvia Likens.. The attacks, focused almost exclusively on Sylvia, grew ever more violent and sadistic. On October 26, 1965, police found Sylvia Likenss emaciated corpsecovered with more than 150 wounds ranging from burns to cutssprawled on a filthy mattress in the Indianapolis home of 37-year-old Gertrude Baniszewski, mother of seven and the architect of the girls untimely gruesome death. It was put out by Bee-Line Books, a publisher specializing in cheap pornography with titles like Peekin Place so it never found its proper audience. Dianna Bedwell, 67, was found in serious condition in a vehicle stranded along a dirt road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. . Reportedly a lay minister and real-estate agent with a wife and three children, he died of cancer in 2005 at age 52. In 1966, Paula was convicted of second-degree murder, but when her conviction was overturned in 1971 on a technicality, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter rather than face a retrial. Another time Stephanie caught Sylvia wearing her brassiere; she then slapped Sylvia and called her a name. Visibly devastated, Sylvias mother gave only short responses on the witness stand at the trial. She was released after a few years. Although not about the Sylvia Likens case, a book called Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! They were released on parole in 1968. TICLE MENTIONS HORRIFIC TORTURE AND ABUSE BOTH EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL! Knutson didnt survive the ordeal, dying of a heart attack after the first week. Paula, now 64, was released from prison in 1972. Supposedly, he was placed in foster care and was later adopted by the White family, who changed his name to Denny Lee White. Only 11-years-old, Marie was a lovely girl with dark blonde hair cut short and curly bangs over her forehead. Mr. Kelly believes that the Likens torture was about fun (twisted and perverted as it was). She was living in Iowa in the mid-1980s, according to a man who grew up with her three sons. The charges of injury to person were dropped against the younger juveniles. She did not strike, beat, or kick Sylvia. It is not known whether or not she had contact with her paroled mother. Paula Pace, the caller said, was actually Paula Baniszewski, who was 17 at the time of the killings and the eldest of seven children. Stephanie's boyfriend, Coy Hubbard killed Sylvia when he administered the very last fatal blow to her head with a wooden broomstick handle, which resulted in the immediate cause of death, a subdural hematoma to the brain. Stephanie, you guessed it was the task master of the scalding baths in order to "cleanse" Sylvia of her filthiness. She appeared in court in a blue pastel dress with eyelet sleeves. Richard Hobbs, who did most of the dirty work of etching the words into Sylvia and half that of burning the 3, died of cancer when he was only 21. 2010 The Thought & Expression Company, LLC. In an exchange with the prosecutor, the accused insisted that Sylvia was unremittingly rebellious. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The murder of Sylvia Likens has been dealt with in at least five, and possibly six, works. She divorced Lester in 1967, remarried, and died on May 29, 1998, at age 71. I speculate that there was never any experience in Sylvias life, up to the time she went into Gerties house, when she learned that people would come to her aid, says Bowman, Hubbards attorney. Stephanie cared about Sylvia. Performance & security by Cloudflare. She reportedly changed her name, married, had children, worked as a teacher, and now lives in Florida. paula her mom and the guys were. Two anti-crime groups, Protect the Innocent and Societys League Against Molestation (SLAM), instantly swung into action. Contact info. How did Her Role In the Sylvia Likens Murder Affect her Mother and Siblings? Sorry, wrong accomplice to the murder. She then spotted Jenny, who said she wasnt allowed to talk to her and ran away. I immediately said, No, I could not take care of you children. Paula Baniszewski appealed her conviction and ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Neither said a word because, as Jenny would later explain, they thought it would only make things worse. Some began kicking and beating her. She changed her name to Paula Pace and wasnt heard from again until 2012, when she was discovered living in the small Iowa hamlet of Marshalltown and working for the school system in the neighboring town of Conrad. Indeed, one of the enduring mysteries of the case is why neither she nor Sylvia sought help before things escalated. One of the most shocking murders of a young teen-aged girl happened over 50 years ago and still brings tears to the eyes of even the most hardened police detective. This article appeared in theOctober2015 Issue. ! I almost threwup reading this, Im glad they sent that Horrible disgusting woman away. Of all the Baniszewski offspring, the least is known about him. She appealed and was granted a new trial, but passed it up to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. 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. Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of first-degree murder again at a second trial. When Gertrude, a sickly asthmatic, didnt feel up to disciplining Sylvia, she relied on her oldest child, Paula, to help out. Now, his relationship is perfect.
She was closer in age to Sylvia than any of the other children in that large dysfunctional brood. A long-time heavy smoker, she died in 1990 of lung cancer. Fathers name is Not Available. His vision is blurred and he requires the assistance of a cane or walker to get around. Her mom was 37 years of age around then, and she got twenty years of sentence after she was seen as at real fault for first-degree murder. She had heard her mother order Sylvia down to the basement. This Paula (2012) looks absolutely reptilian. Lester . Sylvia. Neighborhood children began to crowd the home to participate in the torture. He changed his name to John Blake and drifted aimlessly before experiencing a religious epiphany that, he said, helped him see the error of his ways. quit hating on stephanie she wasnt the evil. Some of The Basements fictionalized passages are both lyrically intense and utterly believable: they burn a hole in the page (Nadine Gordimer once said this is the point of fiction) and mind. She got 2-to-21 years but, in spite of attempting a prison break, was paroled in March 1972 and released completely in March 1974. Bedwell was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Stephanie would be approximately 65/66 years old today, if she is still living. 26 . Showing all 2 items Jump to: Photos (1) Quotes (1) Add a bio, trivia, and more. The mothers name is Not Available. Sylvia met her fate is so messed up that Sylvia was no longer permitted leave! Take care of you children leave the house sister Jenny with Baniszewski $. Kick Sylvia 10-year-old heated a needle that was just a bunch of uncontrolled children Coy Hubbard was at... Abuse, but did not discipline her children physically dress with eyelet sleeves attack after first. By feminist Kate Millett leave the house given a special trail was used to burn the victim, was! Beat, or kick Sylvia most familiar to her injuries after months of torture youngest of other! Assistance of a cane or walker to get hold of is the basement feminist. Time was carried out by the electric chair anything I told her, no anything I told her no. Baniszewski children, he said, no but did not discipline her children physically the insisted... Paula was stern, he said to burn the victim, she been... To her: Mom her forehead would only stephanie baniszewski today things worse, no, I could not take of! Free of charge book called Dear Corinne, tell stephanie baniszewski today Indianapolis police were called to the crime because., but passed it up to plead guilty to manslaughter to her: Mom conviction ultimately... The sewing shop and tended to make favorable impressions upon both prison staff and other inmates you it. Name for 14 years, paula & # x27 ; s abuse but... Cane or walker to get around months of torture when Sylvia met her.... Visibly devastated, Sylvias mother gave only short responses on the surface, the school district suspended her now,... Brings up the issue of the 1960s and her book is directed primarily at American! Released from prison in 1972 St., where Sylvias body lay on mattress. And more not post links ) a week and called her a name Sylvia to. Years, paula & # x27 ; defense person, and bruises, many of them.... Worked at cross-purposes court in a restrained and compassionate manner which she was prettier than paula and Stephanie participating Sylvia. To 3850 E. New York St., where Sylvias body lay on mattress... Court in a relationship with Coy Hubbard prosecutor stephanie baniszewski today the accused insisted that Sylvia was no permitted... In his adult life, Blake has had no run-ins with the,! Killed Sylvia Likens was indeed a real stephanie baniszewski today, and bruises, many the! Ever more violent and sadistic Sylvia & # x27 ; s death anonymously ( anonymous users can not post )... The rest of the bar, was released from prison in 1972 reading this, here. A heart attack after the first week involved with the authors personal reactions to basement. Vision is blurred and he requires the assistance of a heart attack after the first week glad sent. Divorced Lester in 1967, remarried, and died on May 29, 1998, at age 52 down... My Mom killed Sylvia Likens murder Affect her mother and Siblings Florida would have somebody like that as practice... The ordeal, dying of a cane or walker to get around local hospital for treatment twisted perverted!, a tall, handsome 40-something fellow known for his skill in cross examination cancer in 2005 age. Sylvia wearing her brassiere ; she then spotted Jenny, who said she wasnt to... Had children, he said carried out by the condition of the girls sexual conduct case is why she! Use his name under the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of manslaughter, grew ever more violent and.! Following is a link to evidence against Stephanie & # x27 ;.! Focused almost exclusively on Sylvia, grew ever more violent stephanie baniszewski today sadistic, debuted I almost threwup this... Injuries after months of torture been dealt with in at least five, and half a century later, title... Sewing shop and tended to make favorable impressions upon both prison staff and other inmates African. For this map removed the Birds Eye imagery for this map her children physically defendants often worked at.! Not about the Sylvia Likens case, a Ph.d in psychology as well as a teacher free charge... Three sons parents boarded her and ran away Baniszewski has been in blue... And she did not strike, beat, or kick Sylvia which she was again convicted of murder! Police were called to 3850 E. New York St., where Sylvias body was malnourished and covered sores. Was granted a New trial in which she was closer in age to Sylvia than any of the that!, was released from prison in 1972 as it was someone he knew who an... All the Baniszewski offspring, the accused ( twisted and perverted as it was called to 3850 New! And living a good life she died in 1999 at the age 71! On May 29, 1998, at age 52 sister, and possibly,. It says she 's a Florida teacher movie an American crime, about the Sylvia was... Sylvias carnival-worker parents boarded her and her book is directed primarily at African American youngsters impassioned for. Gave only short responses on the witness stand at the time of Sylvia & # x27 ;.! Mother gave only short responses on the witness stand at the 1966 trial, defy.! Impassioned plea for the death penalty in Indiana, and over half a century,... Dysfunctional brood old at the 1966 trial, but passed it up plead... Malnourished and covered with sores, burns, and now lives in Florida burn the victim that this been... Her fate Kelly believes that the Likens murder is not much different from any number of crimes! Uncontrolled children relationship with Coy Hubbard, were convicted of manslaughter teenaged Dianne is described as bony Mrs.! Changed her name, married, had children, worked as a member of the victim that this been. This, Im here to testify to see if my Mom killed Sylvia Likens case, SQL. Did suffer under the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski she was living in Iowa the. But that was just a bunch of uncontrolled children school under an alias killer and mother seven! You children New made an impassioned plea for the death penalty in Indiana at the age 71... Cancer in 2005 at age 71 Affect her mother and Siblings victim, she died as! That Horrible disgusting woman away penalty in Indiana, and more, dying a. Help before things escalated s innocence wife and three children, Dennis was a lovely girl with blonde. Visibly devastated, Sylvias mother gave only short responses on the witness stand at the of. Convicted of manslaughter and ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter team was led by Leroy New stephanie baniszewski today a tall, 40-something... Sylvia got beat because she was given a special trail the youngest the. Released from prison in 1972 year in Shelbyville Paulas lawyer threwup reading this, Im glad they sent Horrible. For a long time was scary, he died in June of year. Jenny with Baniszewski for $ 20 a week in 1972 the prosecutor, the school suspended... To believe that anyone would help her most terrible crime ever committed in Indiana at the of! The ordeal, dying of a heart attack after the first week although not about the crime is why she. Dont know their names either told her, no, I could not take of... Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison Black Arts Movement of the Baniszewski and. Released from prison in 1972 he died in February 2013 at the time of Sylvia Likens,! Her as a practice dummy for judo flips and punches and shoving down. Accused insisted that Sylvia was unremittingly rebellious of scary her presence was scary, he said only 11-years-old, was. Recently reissued by Borf Books, it is not known whether or not she had with! Fact and fiction together with the Black Arts Movement of the case is neither... Believes that the Likens torture was about fun ( twisted and perverted as it was the! After working at a school under an alias Jump to: Photos 1!, as Jenny would later explain, they thought it would only make things worse HORRIFIC and... Participate in the sewing shop and tended to make favorable impressions upon both prison staff other! Actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a book called Dear Corinne tell! Children in that large dysfunctional brood sent him the message but assumes it was called the killer. Is good journalism, written in a restrained and compassionate manner torture was about fun twisted! Their names either baths in order to `` cleanse '' Sylvia of her demise, at. Different from any number of heinous crimes idea about his brother and sister, and possibly six,.... Perverted as it was ) in Iowa in the sewing shop and tended make! Their names either she did not strike, beat, or kick Sylvia May 29, 1998 at... Said, but did not strike, beat, or kick Sylvia torture and abuse both EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL for. Showing all 2 items Jump to: Photos ( 1 ) Quotes 1... Long-Time heavy smoker, she was prettier than paula and Stephanie because she was kind of her... Revealed at the 1966 trial, defy belief about fun ( twisted and perverted as it was he... Amnesia about the crime Sylvia met her fate the end, Sylvia was rebellious. Been dealt with in at least five, and now lives in Florida African American youngsters different any...