Genie Wiley - TLC Documentary (2003)

Summary

The script recounts the tragic story of a 13-year-old girl, Jeannie, discovered in Arcadia, Los Angeles, who had been kept in extreme isolation by her parents, unable to speak or walk due to her upbringing. Despite the intervention of authorities and scientists, who initially saw progress in her language development, Jeannie's traumatic past and the effects of neglect hindered her ability to fully develop language skills. As she aged, she faced further challenges, including an unstable living situation and legal disputes, ultimately leading to her living in an adult care home, disconnected from her supporters.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The 13-year-old girl, referred to as Jeannie, was discovered living in extreme isolation in Arcadia, Los Angeles, kept in a cage-like room by her parents.
• 👧 Jeannie was found wearing diapers, unable to walk or talk, and making only infantile noises, indicating severe neglect and lack of social interaction.
• 👮‍♂️ Authorities were alerted to the case by a social worker and found the house devoid of any signs of a child's presence, with Jeannie kept in a darkened room.
• 👨‍🦳 The father, Clark Wiley, was a loner who had isolated himself and his family after his mother's death in a hit-and-run accident.
• 🔒 Jeannie was locked in a bedroom at night and strapped to a potty chair during the day, with no human interaction or exposure to the outside world.
• 🚨 The mother, Irene, was blind with cataracts and too scared to resist Clark's orders, but she eventually fled, leading to the discovery of their secret.
• 🔫 Clark Wiley committed suicide before facing charges for his actions, leaving Jeannie free after 13 years of captivity.
• 🧠 Jeannie's case was of significant scientific interest, as she was as much a feral child as one raised by wolves, and scientists were eager to study her development.
• 📚 Jeannie initially made progress in learning language and vocabulary, challenging the critical period theory which suggests that language acquisition is time-sensitive.
• 💔 Despite initial progress, Jeannie's development plateaued, particularly in grammar, due to the cognitive deficits resulting from her traumatic upbringing.
• 🏢 After turning 18, Jeannie faced a series of unfortunate events, including moving back with her mother and then into state care, leading to a deterioration in her condition.

Q & A

What was the situation of the 13-year-old girl found in Arcadia?

The 13-year-old girl was kept in extreme isolation by her parents, to the point that she never learned to talk and still wore diapers. She was found making infantile noises and was severely mistreated.

How did the authorities discover the case of the girl?

The case was discovered by a social worker two weeks prior to the authorities taking custody of the girl.

What was the initial impression of Temple City Detective Sergeant Franklin Lee upon seeing the girl?

Detective Sergeant Franklin Lee was shocked because the girl appeared much younger than her actual age and was severely mistreated, still in diapers and not walking or talking.

What was the condition of the house where the girl lived?

The house was completely dark with all blinds drawn, no toys, clothes, or anything to indicate a child lived there. The girl was kept in a bedroom with a cage and a potty chair.

Who was Clark Wiley, and what was his role in the girl's life?

Clark Wiley was the girl's father, a loner who turned his back on the world after his mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. He imposed his will on his wife, Irene, and ordered her and their son never to talk to the girl.

How did Irene, the girl's mother, respond to the situation?

Irene, blind with cataracts and scared, was too afraid to resist Clark's orders initially. However, she eventually seized an opportunity to flee when Clark was out.

What happened to Clark Wiley after the authorities became involved?

Clark Wiley, who refused to talk to the authorities and acknowledge the situation, shot and killed himself just before he was to go to court.

Why was Jeannie's case scientifically important?

Jeannie's case was scientifically important because it provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of extreme isolation on a child's development and potentially challenge existing theories about language acquisition.

What was the critical period theory, and how did Jeannie's progress relate to it?

The critical period theory suggests that children can only learn certain things at certain times, with language being one of them. Jeannie, being a teenager, was thought to have missed her chance to learn language, but she seemed to be proving the theory wrong by learning words rapidly.

What challenges did Jeannie face in her language development?

Although Jeannie learned a large vocabulary, she struggled with grammar and sentence structure, indicating a cognitive deficiency specifically in the area of language known as Grammar.

What happened to Jeannie's brain due to the extreme neglect?

Jeannie's brain, due to the lack of stimulation, did not develop the capacity for language. The left part of her cortex, responsible for speech and language, became smaller, less functional, and physically changed due to the neglect.

What were the consequences of Jeannie moving back with her mother at 18?

After moving back with her mother, Irene, it became clear that Irene couldn't cope, and Jeannie was moved into state care. This led to a series of unfortunate events, including a lawsuit and Jeannie being prevented from seeing the people who were once important to her.

Where does Jeannie live now, and what are the restrictions on her life?

Jeannie, now a ward of the court, lives in an adult care home in Los Angeles. She is prevented from seeing the people who once meant a lot to her.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Rescue of the Isolated 13-Year-Old Girl

In Arcadia, Los Angeles, a 13-year-old girl was found in extreme isolation, having been kept by her parents without learning to speak or walk. She was still in diapers and made only infantile noises. The case was discovered by a social worker two weeks prior. Temple City Detective Sergeant Franklin Lee, who first saw the child, compared her size to his seven-year-old daughter and was shocked by the mistreatment she had endured. The house, belonging to Clark Wiley, was dark and devoid of any signs of a child's presence. Jeannie, the girl, spent her days and nights in a cage-like bedroom, with her family forbidden to interact with her. The neighbors were unaware of her existence until the police arrived to question them about the case. Clark had dominated his wife Irene, who was blind with cataracts and too scared to resist until one day she fled. Clark later committed suicide before going to court. Jeannie's case became a scientific anomaly, as she was as much a feral child as one raised by wolves, and scientists were eager to study her.

05:01

🔬 The Scientific Study of Jeannie's Language Development

Jeannie's case was so unique that the government funded a team of scientists to study her. Child psychologist James Kent and linguist Susan Curtis were among those who took on the challenge of helping Jeannie. They treated her as a newborn, introducing her to the world and its experiences. Jeannie made significant progress, learning words rapidly and showing interest in her surroundings. This challenged the prevailing theory of critical periods, suggesting that language acquisition was not limited to early childhood. However, Jeannie's progress plateaued as she struggled with grammar and sentence structure, indicating a cognitive deficiency in this specific area. Modern brain imaging technology later revealed that the lack of stimulation during her formative years had physically altered her brain, affecting its capacity for language development.

10:03

🏠 Jeannie's Struggle with Her Past and the Legal Battle

Despite the scientific interest in her case, Jeannie's personal life was fraught with difficulties. After turning 18, she was moved back to live with her mother, Irene, in the same house where she had been abused. This arrangement was short-lived, and Jeannie was then placed into state care. Conflicts arose over her care, with Susan Curtis and other academics becoming too close to Jeannie, leading to a lawsuit. This resulted in a loss of contact between Jeannie and those who had been part of her life and recovery. As a ward of the court, Jeannie now resides in an adult care home in Los Angeles, cut off from the people who once played a significant role in her life.

Keywords

💡Isolation

Isolation refers to the state of being separated from others or being kept away from usual surroundings. In the context of the video, it is a central theme as it describes the severe conditions under which the 13-year-old girl was kept by her parents. She was in a state of complete isolation, which affected her ability to develop normal social and communication skills, as evidenced by her lack of speech and being still in diapers.

💡Child abuse

Child abuse encompasses a range of behaviors that harm a child's physical, emotional, or developmental well-being. The video script describes a case of severe child abuse where the girl was kept in a cage, strapped to a potty chair, and deprived of human interaction, which are all forms of physical and emotional abuse. This abuse had profound effects on her development and highlights the video's focus on the consequences of such mistreatment.

💡Feral child

A feral child is a term used to describe a child who has lived isolated from human contact, often raised by animals or in extreme isolation from society. The script uses this term to illustrate the girl's condition, comparing her to a child raised by wolves due to her lack of human interaction and language skills. This concept is crucial to understanding the extreme nature of her upbringing and the challenges she faced in reintegrating into society.

💡Critical periods

Critical periods refer to the idea that there are specific, limited periods in an individual's life when the brain is more receptive to learning certain skills. In the video, this concept is applied to language acquisition, suggesting that there is a sensitive time window during which a child can naturally learn to speak. The girl's lack of exposure to language during her early years challenges this theory, as she began to learn words despite being a teenager.

💡Language acquisition

Language acquisition is the process by which an individual learns a language. The video discusses this in the context of the girl's progress as she began to learn words despite her late start. This concept is key to the narrative as it raises questions about the flexibility and potential of the human brain to learn language outside the proposed critical periods.

💡Cognitive development

Cognitive development pertains to the growth of an individual's cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, and understanding. The script highlights that the girl was not mentally deficient, indicating that her cognitive development was not entirely stunted. However, her language development was affected, suggesting that different cognitive faculties may be impacted differently by environmental factors.

💡Brain plasticity

Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, is the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. The video discusses the girl's progress in learning words, suggesting a degree of plasticity in her brain despite her late exposure to language. This concept is central to the scientific inquiry presented in the video, as it explores the limits and potential of the brain to adapt and learn new skills.

💡Neglect

Neglect refers to the failure to provide for a child's basic needs, including emotional, physical, and developmental requirements. The video describes the girl's living conditions as an example of extreme neglect, where she was deprived of normal human interaction, language exposure, and a nurturing environment. This neglect had severe consequences for her development and is a key factor in understanding her situation.

💡Trauma

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting emotional effects. The girl's past of severe neglect and abuse is described as traumatic, and the video suggests that she was haunted by these memories. Trauma is a significant aspect of the narrative as it impacts her ability to heal and reintegrate into society.

💡State care

State care refers to the responsibility taken by the government or its agencies to provide for the welfare of individuals who cannot care for themselves, often children. The video mentions that the girl was moved into state care, indicating the involvement of government institutions in her life after her parents were no longer able to care for her. This concept is important in understanding the legal and social frameworks that were engaged to address her situation.

💡Linguistic progress

Linguistic progress refers to advancements in language abilities, including vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills. The video details the girl's initial progress in learning words, but also notes her stagnation in developing grammar and sentence structure. This concept is central to the narrative as it highlights the challenges in overcoming the effects of her isolation and the complexities of language acquisition.

Highlights

A 13-year-old girl in Arcadia was kept in extreme isolation by her parents, never learning to talk or walk.

The girl was discovered by social workers, still wearing diapers and making infantile noises.

Detective Sergeant Franklin Lee compared the girl's size to his seven-year-old daughter, highlighting her severe mistreatment.

The house where the girl lived belonged to Clark Wiley, who had isolated himself after his mother's death.

The girl, Jeannie, was kept in a cage-like bedroom with no natural light or interaction.

Clark ordered his family not to speak to Jeannie, leading to her life of near total isolation.

Jeannie's mother, Irene, fled the house when Clark was out, revealing the family's dark secret.

Clark and Irene were arrested, with Clark later committing suicide before his arraignment.

Jeannie's case was scientifically significant, prompting government funding for a team of scientists to study her.

Child psychologist James Kent and linguist Susan Curtis became key figures in Jeannie's life and recovery.

Jeannie's progress challenged the theory of critical periods for language acquisition, as she began to learn words rapidly.

Despite her progress, Jeannie struggled with grammar and sentence structure due to her lack of exposure to language.

Modern brain imaging technology revealed the physical changes in Jeannie's brain due to extreme neglect.

Jeannie's case showed that without normal stimulation, the brain can physically alter, affecting language capacity.

After turning 18, Jeannie moved back with her mother Irene, but the situation was not sustainable.

Jeannie was then placed in state care, leading to a series of unfortunate events and legal battles.

Conflicts of interest arose as Jeannie's therapists also served as her caregivers, causing tensions.

A lawsuit prevented Susan Curtis and other academics from having contact with Jeannie, impacting her care.

Jeannie, now a ward of the court, lives in an adult care home, isolated from those who once helped her.

Transcripts

[Music]

officials in the Los Angeles suburb of

Arcadia have taken custody of a 13 year

old girl and they say was kept in such

isolation by her parents that she never

even learned to talk the girl still wore

diapers and was uttering infantile

noises social worker discovered the case

two weeks ago but the authorities are

hoping she still may have a normal

learning capacity among the first to see

the child was Temple City Detective

Sergeant Franklin Lee I took one look at

her and she wasn't much bigger than my

daughter Beverly who had just turned

seven about three months earlier and I

really had a hard time conceiving of the

idea that the child was the age that she

was the child obviously had been

severely mistreated after she was still

in diapers didn't walk she had no verbal

skills at all at that point

the last time I was on this street was

probably thirty years ago

there it is

hasn't changed much the backyard looks

the same it's all weights indeed grass

[Music]

looks the same as it did in 1970

the house belonged to Clark Wiley a

loner Clark had turned his back on the

world after his mother had been killed

in a hit-and-run accident after the

accident things in the Wiley house would

never be the same again

[Music]

the house was completely dark all the

blinds were drawn there were no toys no

clothes nothing that would ever indicate

to you that a child of any age lived

there

the child's bezel wires back in this

corner

that was the bedroom the windows were

covered to about the 3 inches from the

top which were the only natural light

that had ever come in there and all the

time the child was in the bedroom

entire furnishings as a bedroom consists

of a cage with a pulldown chicken wire

lid and some type of piece of wire

securing it when they closed it down

there was a potty chair with some kind

of homemade strapping device for 13

years Jeannie had spent her nights

locked in bed her days strapped to a

potty chair during that time Clark had

ordered his son John and wife Irene

never to talk to her

in her darkened room she had led a life

of near total isolation

even close neighbors were completely

unaware of her presence

and the police was here and they came to

question us that's when we found found

out you know what happened and you know

nobody no-nobody knew before

we found out what happened and how she

was three that I mean everybody was

shocked and just unbelievable for their

whole marriage Clark had imposed his

will on Irene and blind with cataracts

she had been too scared to resist but

one day something broke while Clark was

out buying groceries she seized her

chance and fled it was the first glimpse

the world would have of Clark and

Irene's dark secret I met Clark and I

really Temple City sheriff's station

they were both under arrest at the time

when we interviewed Irene she would make

no mention of the family whatsoever

particularly the children he attempted

along with my partner to interview Clark

he refused to talk to us he wouldn't say

a word he never even acknowledged that

he understood what we were talking about

mr. Wylie why did you keep your daughter

mr. Wylie has no comment no we haven't

had time to discuss the charge we

haven't even seen them unable to face

the truth Clark took matters into his

own hands

[Music]

this morning the authorities reported

the 70 year old Clark Wylie shot and

killed himself just before he was to go

to the court of the arraign for firing

after 13 years Jeannie was at last free

and for scientists she was just the case

they had been waiting for for 13 years

Jeannie had lived a life of complete

isolation raised in a city bedroom

Jeannie was as much a feral child as if

she had been brought up by wolves at 13

she was the size of a six year old worst

of all she had never been taught to

speak the question now could she ever

learn

[Music]

Jeanne's case was so scientifically

important that the government funded a

team of scientists to help answer the

many questions she posed

two of the scientists who would become

especially important to Jeannie or child

psychologist James Kent and linguist

Susan Curtis neither had ever

encountered a case as Extreme as

Jeannie's we looked at her yes he as a

newborn in a way even though we know she

hadn't she came with 13 years of

memories and experience it's not all of

them wonderful most of them not I think

so we thought we needed to start

exposure to what the world is gonna be

like for her outside the hospital bed -

Jeannie everything was a new experience

we did what you would do with with your

own kids if you were introducing into

the world you take them out and hold

them up and show them sort of judged

from how they reacted to whether this

was too much or not enough and you could

move on and do the next thing

Jeannie was making amazing progress as

the experts looked on they realized that

she might be the answer to the question

that had troubled science for so long so

we seized this wonderful opportunity

that she provided us in as loving away

as we could but using it to finally get

our chance to address head-on specific

hypotheses and notions about human

language and the human mind these

hypotheses were based on the latest

ideas about how children's brains

developed according to the theory young

children could only learn certain things

at certain times called critical periods

language was one of these critical

periods and according to the theory

genie who was now a teenager had missed

her chance forever

but incredibly Jeannie seemed to be

proving the theory wrong as this footage

shows Jeannie was blossoming not only

was she delighted by the world around

her but she was learning the words for

the new things she was seeing

she was extremely interested in

everything around her she wanted to know

the word for everything around her she

wanted to engage people all around her

she was not mentally deficient her

lights were on and everyone who worked

with her from teachers to therapists to

me knew that she was not [ __ ] it was

clear as day and as she began to learn

more more words hundreds of words much

more rapidly than they ever imagined

and swinging them together I began to

think maybe I will be wrong maybe she

will be the one that will prove that

this hypothesis is incorrect but Jeanne

could not escape the effects of her past

so easily she was still haunted by her

traumatic upbringing trapped by the

memories of the awful fate she had

suffered and linguistically she had

stopped making progress

she learned tons of which she has an

enormous vocabulary but language is not

words language is grammar languages

sentences how do you make a sentence

what can be a sentence what is esand

how do you automatically know something

sentence

so wasn't because he was cognitively

deficient in other respects it was

because she was cognitively deficient in

this island of human mind the mental

faculty that we called Grammer at the

time Jeannie was found brain science was

in its infancy but today we have a much

clearer picture of what actually happens

in cases of extreme neglect like genies

in genies brand the left part of her her

brand they her cortex that that has

those neural systems responsible for

speech and language because she never

heard any words and because she was

never taught spoken to very often they

didn't get stimulated and because they

weren't stimulated they got smaller and

less functional and disconnected and

ultimately that part of the brain

literally physically changes today with

modern imaging technology we can

actually see what happens in the brains

of feral children and the effects are

shocking without normal stimulation

their brains are smaller and malformed

and the earlier this neglect begins and

the longer it carries on the worse the

damage will be starved of stimulation

Jeanne's brain had simply not developed

the capacity for language and now that

she was a teenager she would never be

able to learn despite this Genie

continued to be a closed part of

everyone's life but there was more

trouble ahead

[Music]

children have to belong to somebody when

they grow up and she was still a child

and she needed a family to belong to so

that's what we would have like a family

that she could belong to what happened

what did happen is about the worst

outcome I think we would have envisioned

on her 18th birthday

Janie moved back with her mother Irene

into the house in which she had been so

terribly abused but after only a few

weeks it was clear that Irene couldn't

cope from here Jeannie was moved into

State care with terrible consequences I

was a student and people wouldn't listen

to me people who needed to intervene did

not listen to me and so I spent lots and

lots of time on the phone pleading with

people to intervene and save this person

who had had the worst experience of

deprivation and isolation in all with

her medical history Jeannie moved from

home to home sometimes with the very

people who served as her therapists this

potential conflict of interests raised

tensions among the many people involved

in her life and a tug of war erupted

over the child as Jeannie's condition

deteriorated Irene decided that Susan

Curtis and the other academics had

become too close to Jeannie a lawsuit

followed

I went from being asked to be her

guardian - one week later being

prevented from seeing her or phoning her

and ever since then I've been prevented

from having any contact at all so

although I have lots of you know that

I'm still a scientist I'm still

interested in knowing things about her

language now and all kinds of

interesting things I would like to

pursue academically primarily I would

just like to see her now a ward of the

court

Jeanne lives in an adult care home

somewhere in Los Angeles prevented from

seeing the people who once meant so much

to her