Mockingbird Don't Sing

"She was little more than a wild animal. And only one woman had the gift to heal her."

May 4 2001 Not Rated 1h 38m
Biography, Drama

The tragic true story of one of the worst cases of child abuse ever documented (in which a girl was locked in a room without social contact for nearly thirteen years) and what happened when she was finally rescued.

Plot

On November 4, 1970 on The CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite reported on a true, horrific story that was about to rock the country. A 13-year-old girl was discovered in the small Los Angeles suburb of Arcadia who was still in diapers, barely able to walk and unable to speak. Kept in severe isolation by her parents with virtually no human contact for more than 10 years, she was confined to her bedroom, tied to her potty-chair and left to fend for herself. As Cronkite noted, it was one of the most horrendous cases of child abuse ever to surface. Much like an animal, the girl spat, sniffed and clawed. She had none of the traits or characteristics of conventional human behavior, nor could she comprehend such modern societal conveniences as silverware or bathroom etiquette. Her emotional development was practically non-existent, and she could not speak. With this heartbreaking story, the world was being introduced to a fragile, beautiful teenager who seemed and behaved like an infant, or Wild Child.

Written by

Daryl Haney

Directed by

Harry Bromley Davenport

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Dorian Films

Languages

English

Awards

1 win

Scores
# of Votes
2,396
Average Rating
6.4 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA