Uncovering History - Genie Wiley "The Feral Child" One of cruelest isolation stories in the world.

Summary

The heartbreaking story of Genie Wiley, a feral child who endured extreme isolation and abuse from a young age, is a powerful example of human cruelty and resilience. Born in 1957, Genie was kept in isolation by her father from 20 months old until her discovery at age 13. She lived in a dark, restrictive environment, deprived of human interaction and basic care. After her rescue, Genie made remarkable progress, learning to communicate and engage socially, but her later life was marked by instability and further neglect. Genie’s case remains one of the most tragic examples of social isolation's impact on development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Genie Wiley was born in 1957 and subjectedGenerate key takeaways to extreme isolation by her father starting at 20 months old.
• 😀 Genie spent most of her early childhood tied to a potty chair, with minimal human interaction and only basic nourishment.
• 😀 Her father and brother communicated with her by barking or growling, and her mother was only allowed brief interactions.
• 😀 Genie endured severe physical and emotional abuse, including being hit with a large plank of wood for any infraction.
• 😀 At 13 years old, Genie was discovered and brought to a welfare office by her mother, revealing her severe underdevelopment.
• 😀 She was unable to speak, had the physical abilities of a much younger child, and crawled on the floor like a baby.
• 😀 Following her discovery, Genie was placed in the care of doctors at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and began to show improvement.
• 😀 She learned basic skills, such as using the bathroom and expressing needs through noises, and started to exhibit affection towards people.
• 😀 By age 18, Genie had learned sign language, allowing her to communicate more effectively, though she had significant setbacks.
• 😀 After turning 18, Genie was placed with several foster families, but constant changes in her environment caused setbacks in her progress.
• 😀 Genie’s whereabouts are unknown today, and it is presumed that she lives in an adult care home if she is still alive, at the age of 66 in 2023.

Q & A

Who is Genie Wiley and what makes her story unique?

Genie Wiley was a girl born in 1957 who suffered extreme isolation and abuse at the hands of her father. From the age of 20 months until her discovery at 13, she was kept in a small room, isolated from human contact, and severely mistreated. Her story is one of the most severe cases of child abuse and social isolation ever documented.

What kind of isolation did Genie experience in her early years?

Genie was isolated in a small room where she was bound to a potty chair, deprived of basic human interaction, and kept in complete silence. She was only given limited food, such as cereal and baby food, and her only contact with others was from her father and brother, who would bark or growl at her.

How did Genie's father contribute to her abuse?

Genie's father, Clark Wiley, was the primary source of her abuse. He isolated her completely, preventing her from learning to speak or interact with others. He used physical punishment, hitting her with a large plank of wood for any perceived infraction.

How did Genie’s mother respond to the situation?

Genie's mother was largely passive in the situation. She had very brief interactions with Genie and was not allowed to fully care for her. Eventually, it was Genie's mother who brought her to a welfare office, which led to her discovery and subsequent care.

What was Genie's condition when she was discovered at 13 years old?

When Genie was discovered, she could not speak, had the physical and mental development of a child much younger than 13, and could only crawl on the floor. She was severely malnourished and underdeveloped, resembling a child of about six or seven years old.

What steps were taken after Genie was discovered?

Genie was admitted to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for evaluation, where her case became a subject of scientific study. She showed significant progress in learning basic skills, such as using the bathroom and communicating through sign language.

What was the outcome of the legal case against Genie's parents?

Both of Genie's parents were charged with abuse. However, Genie's father, Clark Wiley, committed suicide the day he was supposed to appear in court. He left a note stating that 'the world will never understand.'

How did Genie's life progress after her initial recovery?

After her initial recovery, Genie showed significant improvement in communication and social interaction. She learned to communicate through sign language and became more affectionate. However, as time passed, funding for her care decreased, and she was moved between various foster homes, which disrupted her progress.

What were the challenges Genie faced after being placed in foster homes?

Genie faced many challenges after being placed in foster homes. The constant switching of foster families and the instability in her living conditions caused additional stress, preventing her from maintaining the progress she had made in treatment.

What is known about Genie’s whereabouts today?

As of 2023, Genie's whereabouts are unknown. If she is still alive, it is presumed that she resides in an adult care home in California. The ongoing challenges and lack of stability have made it difficult for her to lead a normal life.