Genie Wiley: the feral child

Summary

The tragic story of 'Genie,' a girl locked away from society by her father for 13 years, reveals the devastating impact of isolation on child development. Born in 1957, Genie was subjected to abuse and neglect, leading to severe developmental delays and a lack of language skills. After her rescue, she showed remarkable progress in therapy but faced challenges due to her unstable foster care situation. Her case highlights the importance of early intervention and the lifelong effects of abuse and isolation.

Takeaways

• 😷 Genie Wiley, also known as 'feral child', was isolated from human contact and society for 13 years by her father, Clark Wiley.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Clark Wiley had a troubled past, including being raised in foster homes and having a strained relationship with his mother.
• 👶 Genie was kept in a locked room, subjected to physical abuse, and was never taught to speak or interact socially.
• 🏠 The family lived in isolation, with Clark controlling every aspect of their lives and preventing them from leaving the house.
• 🤕 Genie's physical and mental development was severely delayed due to the abuse and lack of stimulation.
• 🚨 The case was discovered when Genie's mother, Irene, escaped the abusive situation and sought help for her disability benefits.
• 👩‍⚕️ After her rescue, Genie showed remarkable progress in therapy, learning to communicate and interact with others.
• 📚 The case of Genie Wiley contributed significantly to the fields of psychology and linguistics, demonstrating the critical period for language acquisition.
• 💔 Despite initial progress, Genie's life after her rescue was unstable, moving between foster homes and lacking consistent care.
• 📉 The lack of a stable environment and ongoing support hindered Genie's ability to reach her full potential after her rescue.
• 🏡 Genie now lives a private life in a facility, her story serving as a cautionary tale about the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe children who have been raised away from society and human contact?

Such children are referred to as 'feral children'.

What was the fake name given to the girl who spent 13 years locked in a room?

The fake name given to the girl was 'Genie'.

What was the reason behind Clark Wiley's decision to isolate his daughter Genie?

Clark Wiley decided to isolate his daughter Genie due to his belief that she was mentally disabled and his resentment towards children, which led him to avoid any contact with her.

How did Genie's father, Clark Wiley, treat her during her confinement?

Clark Wiley treated Genie with extreme neglect and abuse, including tying her to a child's toilet during the day and a sleeping bag at night, and beating her with a plank if she made any noise.

What was the impact of Genie's isolation on her physical and mental development?

Genie's isolation led to severe delays in her physical and mental development, resulting in her being unable to walk properly, speak, or interact socially, and having the cognitive abilities of a 13-month-old when she was discovered at 13 years old.

What was the role of Genie's mother, Irene Wiley, in her confinement?

Irene Wiley was also a victim of Clark's abuse and control, and was partially blind, which limited her ability to care for Genie. She was not allowed to speak to or interact with Genie under Clark's strict rules.

How did Genie's situation come to the attention of authorities?

Genie's situation was discovered when Irene, with the help of her son who had run away from home, finally confronted her husband and took Genie to her parents' house to apply for disability benefits, where a social worker noticed her.

What were the initial observations made by the medical professionals when Genie was first examined?

Medical professionals observed that Genie was extremely small for her age, had very pale skin, lacked muscle development, had never learned to chew, and showed signs of severe developmental delays.

What progress did Genie make during her time in the hospital and foster care?

Genie made significant progress in the hospital, learning to understand speech, express emotions, and gain control of her bladder. In foster care, she continued to develop her verbal communication and showed signs of recalling her childhood.

What were the challenges Genie faced after leaving the hospital?

Genie faced challenges including being moved between multiple foster homes, experiencing further abuse, and lacking stability, which hindered her from reaching her full potential and living a normal life.

What was the ultimate outcome for Genie after her story was made public?

Genie was eventually placed in a private facility in Los Angeles where she was better cared for, and her privacy was respected. She lived a simple life, and her mother and the Wriggler family stayed in contact with her.