Self | Psychology
The Tragic True Story of the “Feral Child”
Her name is Genie Butler.
There are stories of neglect, and there are stories that redefine what neglect actually is.
Genie’s story was so unique that it became a central focus of the psychological community.
How it all began
Beginning at 20 months old, Genie Wiley’s father kept her trapped in one room.
She spent the entirety of her time with her arms bound and her ankle tied to the toilet.
As a toddler, Genie’s father cut her off from the rest of the family. Soon, she had no interaction, communication, or schooling. She lived in complete isolation— except for when her father brought food.
Why her father was so cruel
He’d had a troubled childhood and dealt with extreme anger problems. He went off the rails after his mother was killed and the driver got only probation.
That’s when he began isolating the entire family from the public, partially because he began to disdain civilization.
