Did Gertrude Baniszewski Target, Torture, And Kill Silvia Likeins?

Almost 63 year later there are still several unanswered questions fallowing the tragic and untimely death of Sylvia Likens. Sylvia and her sister Hayley where accustom to a life a constant change as their parents worked as carnival operators and where forced to travel with the carnival for work. Well the carnival was in Indianapolis Indiana Silvia’s parents where offered extra work if they were willing to fallow the circuit to Florida. This however left the family in a bind because the trip would carry through November and well into the school year for the Likins girls? During their in Indianapolis the girls had befriend the Baniszewski children a large local family. Mr. and Mrs Likens saw how close their daughter had become asked the matriarch

Baniszewsi agree to watch both girls for a small biweekly fee. This would prove to be a fatal misjudgment as it would be the last time Betty and Lester Likins would see Silvia alive. There are many lingering questions why did Gertrude Baniszewski target, torture, and kill Silvia Likeins? Why did no outsider attempt to help Silva and why did Silva’s sister not try to seek help for her sister? Gertrude Baniszewski was an highly stressed and extremely overworked single mother trying to care for five 7 children including the Likens sisters on a very minimal salary. Ms. Baniszewski’s only sources of income where from her small ironing business along with the biweekly check she received for looking after the Linekins sisters. I feel one explaining for Ms. Baniszewski’s abuse could lie in the family factors that increase the risk of child abuse. One of the main family factors that increases the likelihood of childhood neglect and abuse is living in poverty. The Baniszewski’s fit into this category as they lived in extreme poverty. Living in poverty increases the likelihood of child abuse and neglect because poverty is often tied to unemployment which in turn leads to lack of resources for the children in the

Baniszewski that she began to direct all her fear, anger, and sadness towards the Likeins sisters. Another question that could be posed in this case is why did the other Baniszewski child watch and in some instances participate in the torture of Silvia. I believe this can be answer by looking at the effect Ms. Baniszewski on her own children. Ms. Baniszewski was a total authoritarian as a partner her children answered only to her and never questioned her for if they did they would be at the wrath of their mothers seething anger and unspeakable abuse. The Baniszewski likely suffered recurring victimization at the hands of their mother. Recurring victimization in child can lead to increase anger and anxiety in children. This may explain why the Baniszewski children did not come to the aid of Silvia maybe the children used Silvia as an outlet for the anger as a result of their abuse. Perhaps the children were just grateful there victimization had stop. As their mother’s anger was directed at a new target. As for why no outsiders came to Silvia aid I feel that has a very simple