An American Crime

“An American Crime” is a true story of how child punishment led to a heinous crime in Indiana.

Lester (Nick Searcy) and Betty Likens (Romy Rosemont) are separated in 1965 and want to reconcile. They decide to leave their teenage girls behind for twenty dollars a week in the care of Gertrude “Gerty” Baniszewski (Catherine Keener, “Into The Wild”) while they work a carnival circuit. Gertrude is a stranger with six of her own children.

Sylvia Marie ‘Cookie’ Likens (Ellen Page — “Juno”) and her sister Jennifer ‘Jennie’ Faye Likens (Hayley McFarland) fit in well as boarders in the Baniszewski family home, but what seemed like a good idea became the opportunity for transgression of great proportions.

Sylvia is a delightful, pretty girl who becomes an unlikely target of violence. Paula Baniszewski (Ari Graynor), one of the eldest of Gertrude’s children, instigates the punishment. Much like her mother’s beginning, Paula was promiscuous, pregnant, and unmarried. Paula’s heartless attitude towards Sylvia, along with Gertrude’s panic to cover up the truth that her own daughter should be accused and corrected instead of innocent Sylvia, begins an unending spiral of anger. However, Paula does show remorse, despite the fact that Gertrude was up to her chin in sin and continued until Sylvia’s last breath.

Jennie is timid, has childhood Polio, and is clearly the weaker one of the two. Sylvia, being the older sibling, takes on the role of protector, and even takes a spanking for Jennie. Still, when Gertrude confronted Jennie during the suffering of Sylvia, she dishonored her sister by agreeing that she did not want to be like her.

Gertrude is an asthmatic, sexual deviant, and emotionally unstable. The reality of added responsibility, not having money, and sickness make it problematic for Gertrude to comprehend the consequences of her actions.

Each scene unfolds with chilling interpretations, including a Coke bottle, cigarettes, and branding with a safety pin. The extent to which Gertrude humiliates Sylvia is shocking, yet it does not stop there. She allows her own children, as well as the neighborhood kids, to torture Sylvia daily. One scene in particular, they tie her up to a support post in the basement with heavy rope. In addition, Gertrude, her accuser, rings out a washcloth in a large bowl, lets her taste from the rag, and apologizes. Although the movie is based on testimony from court hearings of the murder of Sylvia Likens, research finds some discrepancies, with other violent acts omitted.

The narrative by Sylvia throughout is overwhelming, as well as the testimony in the courtroom. Being able to hear from her brings relevance to the horror of when child abuse is kept silent and secret. Though Sylvia’s voice was denied then—her story can never be hushed, and speaks of a courageous and gentle spirit. Even though she may have questioned God through it all—Christians believe that He answers, and saves!

Sylvia’s journey of disapproval from man unto her death parallels “The Passion of Christ.”

Jesus was a man who knew no sin and took on the sin of the world. Barabbas a notorious prisoner set free while Jesus who was blameless delivered to be crucified. Jesus was betrayed by one from the inner circle, Judas Iscariot—one of the twelve disciples—and denied three times by Peter, another trusted disciple. Even so, though His body marred and weak, His spirit longed for the joy that was set before Him—a sacrifice unto death so that none would perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

The practice of disciplining children could often be carried out to extremes. One does not have to look further than family members to find out first-hand accounts of cruelty that were mislabeled punishment. Corporal punishment was taught in parent training as a necessary evil and is still valued as fundamental. Nevertheless, it puts a spin on acceptable correction for children today.

Unfortunately, history repeats itself, so one can assume that Gertrude, who experienced a teen pregnancy out of wedlock, was subjected to torment herself. As early as the 1900s, corporal punishment could be considered an occasional shaking to severe beatings with various instruments of choice with no fewer than three or “until my strength gives out,” which could be one hundred or more.

Perhaps the parental perspective of “spare the rod spoil the child” became more important then administering correction coupled with compassion. It seems that society in the 1960s and in prior generations were in denial regarding the issue of child abuse.

Demonstrating power under control takes on the character of Christ. As parents and caregivers, we are guardians over our children not owners. We have the responsibility and permission to carry out God’s commandments, but not without sharing the fullness of His love.

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.