"I've been taking care of you two bitches for a week for nothing." — Gertrude Baniszewski (as quoted from trial transcripts)
"I am a prostitute and proud of it." — Carved into Sylvia's stomach (as described in the narrative)
"In the US, everyone has a right to a trial by an unbiased jury of their peers." — Britt
The episode recounts the tragic story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl whose parents left her and her younger sister in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski in 1965. What began as a temporary arrangement to care for the girls while their parents worked turned into a nightmare of escalating abuse. Gertrude, a woman with seven children and financial struggles, initially accepted $20 a week to house Sylvia and Jenny. However, a minor conflict between Sylvia and Gertrude's daughter, Paula, soured Gertrude's disposition towards Sylvia. The situation worsened when a payment from Sylvia's parents was delayed, leading Gertrude to physically assault the girls. This incident marked a turning point, and Gertrude began punishing Sylvia for minor infractions with a paddle.
The abuse intensified significantly when Gertrude suspected Sylvia of stealing, resulting in severe burns to her fingertips. When Gertrude's asthma acted up, she delegated the punishment to her 17-year-old daughter, Paula. This power dynamic devolved into organized torment involving Paula, Gertrude's son, and a group of neighborhood children. Sylvia was subjected to physical beatings, humiliation, and even sexual degradation. The abuse culminated in Sylvia being confined to the cellar, where she was starved, denied basic hygiene, and repeatedly assaulted. Gertrude then forced Sylvia to carve "I am a prostitute and proud of it" into her own stomach, with a neighbor boy assisting to complete the task. Sylvia eventually died from blunt force trauma and brain swelling.
Following Sylvia's death, the perpetrators attempted to stage the scene to suggest an attack by a gang of boys. However, an informant within Gertrude's household led authorities to the truth. Gertrude Baniszewski and Paula were put on trial. Gertrude was found guilty of first-degree murder, and Paula of second-degree murder, along with several other individuals for manslaughter. Despite initial convictions and life sentences, Gertrude and Paula were granted new trials due to prejudicial trial atmosphere. Gertrude received another life sentence, while Paula took a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter and served only two years. The boys convicted of manslaughter also served minimal time. Disturbingly, both Gertrude and Paula later lived in relative obscurity, and Gertrude's son became a minister. This episode highlights the profound depravity of the crime and the controversial outcomes of the subsequent legal proceedings.