Explore the shocking true account of relentless anonymous texts FBI involvement and a heartbreaking family betrayal in Unknown Number The High School Catfish the Netflix documentary that revealed a mother as a daughters cyberstalker .
The Documentary That Exposed a Hidden Nightmare
Unknown Number The High School Catfish directed by Skye Borgman unravels a disturbing case of cyberbullying that shook Beal City Michigan The Netflix documentary released on August 29 2025 tells the story of high school sweethearts Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny who became the center of a relentless harassment campaign What began as strange anonymous texts soon escalated into a torrent of threatening explicit and manipulative messages destroying trust and tearing apart relationships in their small community .
From October 2020 Onward A Harassment Campaign Begins
The nightmare began in October 2020 just before a local Halloween party Lauryn received texts from an unknown number claiming her boyfriend Owen was breaking up with her and preferring the sender instead At first the teens dismissed the messages as a prank But as the weeks went on the harassment became overwhelming .
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Dozens of messages would arrive daily often 40 to 50 at a time spanning day and night The content grew darker with cruel taunts sexual remarks and even suggestions of suicide The relentless nature of the campaign created unbearable pressure on the teenagers leaving Lauryn and Owen desperate for answers .
Community Suspicion and an FBI Investigation
In a tight knit town suspicions quickly spread Classmates became the focus of blame particularly one girl Khloe after messages hinted at insider details Yet despite the rumors investigators found no evidence connecting her or any other peer to the harassment .
With local efforts stalled law enforcement sought help from the FBIs cybercrime division Using digital forensics the FBI traced the IP addresses linked to the messages through the apps and services used to send them What they uncovered shocked everyone the harasser was not a jealous peer or ex friend but Lauryns own mother Kendra Licari .
The Unthinkable Culprit A Mothers Confession
In December 2022 investigators confronted Kendra Bodycam footage later shown in the documentary captures the moment she was presented with the evidence Without hesitation Kendra confessed .
She admitted to creating anonymous accounts and sending thousands of harassing messages to her daughter and Owen She had even used apps to mask her location attempting to throw suspicion onto classmates When questioned Kendra explained she had lied to her husband about being employed felt isolated and spiraled into compulsive monitoring of her daughters life .
She also pointed to her own unresolved trauma including a sexual assault as a teenager which she suggested contributed to her emotional instability Experts noted that her behavior resembled a digital form of Munchausen by proxy creating harm to maintain control but emphasized this was not a clinical diagnosis .
Legal Fallout and Family Aftermath
In April 2023 Kendra pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor She was sentenced to between 19 months and five years in prison After serving time she was released on parole in August 2024 .
The impact on her family was devastating Lauryns parents divorced and her father was granted full custody Lauryn now 18 has grown close to her father and continues to process the betrayal Although she remains estranged from her mother she has expressed hope that someday reconciliation might be possible .
As for Owen he and Lauryn have not rekindled their relationship though both continue to heal from the ordeal that reshaped their teenage years .
Broader Impact A Harrowing Lesson in Trust and Technology
Beyond the shocking reveal Unknown Number The High School Catfish highlights the devastating effects of cyberbullying in an era where technology allows harassment to infiltrate every aspect of life In Beal City suspicion fractured friendships strained families and left scars on the wider community .
Director Skye Borgman emphasizes the importance of listening to teenagers taking digital harassment seriously and empowering young people with tools to protect themselves The story serves as both a cautionary tale and a reminder that betrayal can come from the most unexpected places .
Final Word
Unknown Number The High School Catfish is not just a true crime documentary it is a story of trust resilience and the hidden dangers of digital anonymity By exposing how a mother could become her daughters tormentor the film forces viewers to confront the fragility of family bonds and the urgent need for open conversations about technology and mental health in todays world .