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Thought to be responsible for the infamous “Atlanta Child Murders” that took place in Atlanta, Georgia, between the years of 19, Williams was actually convicted of the murder of two adult men (29 year old Jimmy Payne and 27 year old Nathaniel Carter). Worst crime ever committed serial#Schools and other child-first organizations began to understand more, too, and identify the signs of abuse.10 Worst Serial Killers 10. Prosecutors and police began to understand the investigation of child abuse and neglect more. Sylvia’s case is credited with Indiana’s Mandated Reporter law, requiring everyone in Indiana regardless of age or profession to report any suspicion of child abuse to law enforcement. The uproar of her case, media attention, release, and other crimes led to considerable changes. She changed her name and was paroled in 1985 and died five years later in relative obscurity from lung cancer in 1990. She was released in 1972, subsequently tried for murder again, and sentenced to life in prison. A subsequent retrial led to a guilty plea. Worst crime ever committed trial#In 1970, the Indiana Supreme Court reversed the convictions because the trial court refused motions for a change of venue and separate trial. Baniszewski and others were punished and jailed for their crimes. The trial, testimony, and indictments were all jarring to everyone who read about the story. Taken back to Lebanon, she was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery on October 29, 1965. They included burns, muscle damage, nerve damage, a swollen vaginal cavity, fingernails broken backward, and she had reportedly bitten through her lips. The tragic legacy of Sylvia LikensĪn autopsy revealed over 150 separate strikes against her body. They just didn’t feel empowered to say anything. Her teachers and other adults likely noticed the open sores, bruises, or early signs of abuse. The notion being, “It wasn’t their business or place to intrude on someone else’s household.” One neighbor said the screams stopped around 3:30 am on the morning of October 26, 1965. But in 1965, no one felt compelled to come forward. Neighbors reported to police they sometimes heard her screams, or someone asking for help. Why didn’t anyone do anything?Īfter a failed escape attempt, and then the eventual death of Sylvia from escalating torture, like burns followed by rubbing salt in wounds, police found “the most sadistic” and “awful crime” they had ever seen. Baniszewski eventually forbade her from attending school and she was held captive in the home. The boyfriends of her sisters also began to turn on Sylvia.īy the end of the summer, Sylvia was being raped, verbally tormented, assaulted with objects physically and sexually, starved, beaten, burned, and forced to commit humiliating or heinous acts. She was accused of spreading rumors about Baniszewski, which was unfounded. Her sisters and Baniszewski began turning on Sylvia, becoming bitter at her appearance and having claimed to have a boyfriend. She was deprived of food, and later still resorted to eating food out of garbage cans. Later testimony would reveal Sylvia was beaten and abused regularly after school and on weekends. Soon, Baniszewski was focusing on Sylvia. By August, the beatings exceeded a dozen a week, often for benign issues like eating too much food. Angry, Baniszewski began beating the children in the home across their buttocks. The financial hardship of Sylvia’s father continued, and payments to Baniszewski for boarding began to wane. They continued to live as teenagers do, singing, skating, earning modest incomes during the summer break, and doing housework. In the summer of 1965, Sylvia and her sisters moved into Baniszewski’s home at 3850 East New York Street. As a teenager, Sylvia babysat, hung out with friends, did chores and small jobs, loved the Beatles, and lived an otherwise typical life. Worst crime ever committed plus#Her death sparked action across police departments, prosecution, and the halls of the Indiana General Assembly, plus movies and books.īefore leaving for a lengthy work-related trip and undergoing immense financial stress, Sylvia’s parents departed Lebanon and left her with a caregiver, Gertrude Baniszewski in Indianapolis. In October 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens died after being held captive for nearly three months. ![]()
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