what happened to sylvia likens

Sylvia Marie Likens was an American teenager who was tortured and murdered by her caregiver, Gertrude Baniszewski. Sylvia was born on January 3, 1949, in Lebanon, Indiana, and was the third of five children born to carnival workers Lester Cecil Likens and his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Frances. In July 1965, Sylvia and her younger sister Jenny were left in the care of family friend Gertrude Baniszewski while their parents were traveling. Baniszewski and her children tortured Sylvia Likens to death over a period of three months. Sylvia died on October 26, 1965, from a brain hemorrhage, shock, and malnutrition. Her body was covered with cuts, severe bruises, and a variety of open sores, some from over 100 cigarette burns, peeling scald marks, and missing skin. The official cause of death was a subdural hematoma from a blow to the temple, but shock and extensive injuries contributed to her death. Sylvia was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.