Netflix’s new documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish brings one of the most unsettling cases of cyberbullying in the USA to the spotlight. It begins in Beal City, Michigan, where a teenager, Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend, Owen McKenny, were disturbed for months by threatening text messages from an anonymous sender. What shocked the entire community was the revelation that the culprit was none other than Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari. For Owen’s family, especially his mother, Jill McKenny, the investigation and trial were a life-changing experience.
What happened to Jill McKenny during the cyberbullying scandal?
When Lauryn and Owen harassed online, Jill McKenny was a mother living what seemed like a normal life in Beal City. She lived with her husband, Dave, and their two children, Owen and Macy. When Owen began dating Lauryn, Jill accepted the relationship and quickly became close friends with Lauryn’s mother, Kendra. Jill saw her as a close friend and trusted ally. When the threatening texts began in October 2020, Jill was disturbed by the fear they caused her son. The texts were personal and vile that leaving Owen anxious.
Jill looked towards Kendra for support. She believed that they were going through the same nightmare together. Jill’s worry grew worse when she found out that some photos sent to Owen were taken inside their own home. It confirmed that her son was being stalked. She once broke down at the police station due to fear and helplessness. Threatening messages followed even when Owen broke up with Lauryn and dated another girl in a nearby town. But the curtains came down in December 2022, when police revealed that Kendra Licari was the culprit, leaving Jill shocked and heartbroken over the betrayal.
Where is Jill McKenny after the cyberbullying scandal?
During the hearing for Kendra’s punishment, Jill was present with her family in the court. She delivered an impactful speech and explained how much damage had been caused over the two and a half years of harassment. She admitted it felt better to meet Kendra in the eye and speak to her, even if she knew she might never get a real explanation from her. Since then, Jill has been focused on bringing their lives back to normalcy. Today, she remains a devoted mother, supporting her children’s sports and school achievements. Also, she is looking forward to sending Owen to college.
How was the Licari family torn apart after the cyberbullying scandal?
The documentary also tells how the scandal affected interpersonal bonds, especially in the Licari family. Lauryn and Owen eventually broke up under the strain of the harassment. Lauryn has since grown closer to her father, while Owen has moved on with his life. Kendra, who pleaded guilty to stalking a minor, served prison time and was released in 2024. Although she termed personal trauma as the reason behind her actions, her explanation has done little to heal the pain caused.
What do you think about Jill McKenny’s stance throughout the whole cyberbullying scandal? Let us know.
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