Mockingbird Don't Sing

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• 2001
• 1 hr 38 mins
• Documentary, Drama

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On November 4, 1970, Walter Cronkite reported on The CBS Evening News on a horrific true story that was about to rock the country: in the small Los Angeles suburb of Arcadia, a 13-year-old girl was discovered who was still in diapers, barely able to walk, and unable to speak. Kept in severe isolation by her parents with virtually no human contact for over 10 years, she was confined to her bedroom, tied to her potty-chair, and left to fend for herself. As Cronkite noted, it was one of the most horrendous cases of child abuse ever to surface. Much like an animal, the girl spat, sniffed, and clawed. She had none of the traits or characteristics of conventional human behavior, nor could she comprehend such modern societal conveniences as silverware or bathroom etiquette. Her emotional development was practically non-existent, and she could not speak. This heartbreaking story introduced the world to a fragile, beautiful teenager who seemed and behaved like an infant, or Wild Child.