Shocking True Story: The Horrific Abuse Of Jenny Likens

What is "An American Crime"?

An American Crime is a 2007 American crime drama film directed by Tommy O'Haver and starring Catherine Keener, Ellen Page, and James Franco. The film is based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $17 million worldwide. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Keener and Best Supporting Actress for Page. The film has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its exploration of the themes of good and evil.

The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime that shocked the nation. The film An American Crime is a powerful and disturbing reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart.

Main article topics:

The true story of Sylvia Likens
The making of the film An American Crime
The critical and commercial reception of the film
The film's exploration of the themes of good and evil

An American Crime

Tragic: The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime that shocked the nation.
Unflinching: The film An American Crime is a powerful and disturbing reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart.
Exploration: The film explores the themes of good and evil, and the capacity for violence that exists within us all.
Powerful: The film's performances are powerful and the story is unforgettable.
Important: An American Crime is an important film that sheds light on a dark chapter in American history.

The murder of Sylvia Likens was a senseless act of violence that has haunted the nation for decades. The film An American Crime is a powerful reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart, and the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice.

Personal details and bio data of Sylvia Likens

Name:	Sylvia Marie Likens
Born:	January 3, 1949
Died:	October 26, 1965
Parents:	Lester and Elizabeth Likens
Siblings:	Dianne, Jenny, Benny, and Johnny

Tragic

The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime that shocked the nation. The film An American Crime is a powerful reminder of this tragedy and the darkness that can exist in the human heart.

The brutality of the crime: Sylvia Likens was tortured and murdered over a period of several months. The details of her death are too horrific to repeat, but they serve as a reminder of the capacity for violence that exists within us all.
The failure of the authorities: The authorities failed to intervene in the case, even though there were clear signs that Sylvia Likens was being abused. This failure allowed the abuse to continue and ultimately led to Sylvia's death.
The impact on the community: The murder of Sylvia Likens had a profound impact on the community of Indianapolis. The crime shocked the nation and led to a public outcry for justice.
The legacy of the crime: The murder of Sylvia Likens is still remembered today as one of the most horrific crimes in American history. The film An American Crime is a powerful reminder of this tragedy and the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice.

The murder of Sylvia Likens is a tragic reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart. The film An American Crime is a powerful and disturbing film that sheds light on this dark chapter in American history.

Unflinching

The film An American Crime is unflinching in its portrayal of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. The film does not shy away from the graphic details of Sylvia's abuse, and it forces the viewer to confront the darkest aspects of human nature. This unflinching portrayal is essential to the film's message, which is that evil exists in the world and that we must never forget the victims of violence.

The brutality of the crime: Sylvia Likens was subjected to horrific torture over a period of several months. The details of her abuse are too disturbing to repeat, but they serve as a reminder of the capacity for violence that exists within us all.
The failure of the authorities: The authorities failed to intervene in the case, even though there were clear signs that Sylvia Likens was being abused. This failure allowed the abuse to continue and ultimately led to Sylvia's death.
The impact on the community: The murder of Sylvia Likens had a profound impact on the community of Indianapolis. The crime shocked the nation and led to a public outcry for justice.
The legacy of the crime: The murder of Sylvia Likens is still remembered today as one of the most horrific crimes in American history. The film An American Crime is a powerful reminder of this tragedy and the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice.

The film An American Crime is a difficult film to watch, but it is an important film. It is a reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart, and it is a call to action to speak out against violence and injustice.

Exploration

The film An American Crime is an unflinching exploration of the themes of good and evil, and the capacity for violence that exists within us all. The film is based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965.

The capacity for violence: The film shows how ordinary people are capable of committing horrific acts of violence. Gertrude Baniszewski and her children were not monsters; they were ordinary people who were driven to violence by a combination of factors, including poverty, mental illness, and a lack of education.
The role of good and evil: The film also explores the role of good and evil in the world. Sylvia Likens was a good person who was tragically victimized by evil. The film shows how evil can corrupt even the best of us.
The importance of speaking out: The film is a reminder of the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice. If the people in Sylvia Likens's community had spoken out sooner, she might still be alive today.
The need for compassion: The film also shows the need for compassion. Gertrude Baniszewski and her children were victims of their own circumstances. They were poor, uneducated, and mentally ill. They needed help, but they didn't get it. The film is a reminder that we need to be more compassionate towards those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

The film An American Crime is a powerful and disturbing reminder of the darkness that can exist in the human heart. It is also a reminder of the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice, and of showing compassion towards those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Powerful

The film An American Crime is a powerful and unforgettable film. The performances by the cast are superb, and the story is heartbreaking and horrifying. The film is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the darkness that can exist in the human heart.

The film's performances are powerful and the story is unforgettable because they are based on a true story. The film tells the story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965. The film is a harrowing account of the abuse that Sylvia suffered, and it is a powerful indictment of the people who committed this horrific crime.

The film's performances are powerful and the story is unforgettable because they are relevant to today's world. The film shows how ordinary people are capable of committing horrific acts of violence. It is a reminder that we must never forget the victims of violence, and that we must always speak out against injustice.

The film An American Crime is a powerful and unforgettable film. It is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the darkness that can exist in the human heart.

Important

The film An American Crime is an important film that sheds light on a dark chapter in American history. The film is based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965. The film is a harrowing account of the abuse that Sylvia suffered, and it is a powerful indictment of the people who committed this horrific crime.

The film's historical significance: The film An American Crime is an important historical document. It tells the story of a horrific crime that shocked the nation and led to a public outcry for justice. The film is a reminder of the dark side of American history, and it is a call to action to speak out against violence and injustice.
The film's educational value: The film An American Crime is an important educational tool. It can be used to teach students about the dangers of violence and the importance of speaking out against injustice. The film can also be used to teach students about the history of child abuse in the United States.
The film's emotional impact: The film An American Crime is an emotionally powerful film. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it. The film is a reminder of the importance of compassion and the need to protect the vulnerable.
The film's call to action: The film An American Crime is a call to action. It is a film that challenges us to speak out against violence and injustice. The film is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to make sure that history does not repeat itself.

The film An American Crime is an important film that everyone should see. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it. The film is a reminder of the dark side of American history, and it is a call to action to speak out against violence and injustice.

Frequently Asked Questions About "An American Crime

This section addresses common concerns or misconceptions surrounding the film "An American Crime" and the tragic true story it depicts.

Question 1: Is "An American Crime" based on a true story?

Yes, the film is based on theof Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1965.

Question 2: What is the significance of the film's title?

The title "An American Crime" highlights the fact that this horrific crime took place in the United States, a country often viewed as a beacon of justice and equality. It serves as a grim reminder that such atrocities can occur anywhere.

Question 3: Why was Sylvia Likens targeted?

Sylvia was targeted primarily because she was an outsider. She had recently moved to Indianapolis from a different state and was living with a foster family. Her vulnerability and lack of local connections made her an easy victim for Baniszewski and her children.

Question 4: How did the authorities handle the case?

The authorities' handling of the case was widely criticized. Despite receiving numerous reports of abuse, they failed to intervene effectively. This failure allowed the abuse to continue and ultimately led to Sylvia's death.

Question 5: What is the legacy of the Sylvia Likens case?

The Sylvia Likens case remains one of the most notorious crimes in American history. It led to widespread public outrage and calls for reform of the child welfare system. The case also inspired the creation of new laws aimed at protecting children from abuse and neglect.

Question 6: What are the key takeaways from "An American Crime"?

The film "An American Crime" offers several important takeaways:

Child abuse is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences.
It is important to speak out against abuse and neglect, even if it is difficult.
The authorities have a responsibility to protect children from harm.
We must all work together to create a society where all children are safe and respected.

The film serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance and compassion in preventing such tragedies from happening again.

Transition to the next article section:

This concludes our FAQ section on "An American Crime: Jenny Likens." For further information and resources on child abuse and neglect, please refer to the following section.

Conclusion

The film "An American Crime" is a harrowing and unflinching look at the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. The film explores the themes of good and evil, the capacity for violence, and the failure of the authorities to protect the vulnerable.

The film is a powerful reminder that child abuse is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. It is important to speak out against abuse and neglect, and to support organizations that work to protect children. We must all work together to create a society where all children are safe and respected.