The Unseen Scars: What Happened To Jenny Likens?

Nicolette Walker V 08 Jul 2025

The name Sylvia Likens evokes a chilling sense of horror, a dark chapter in American true crime history that continues to haunt Indianapolis and beyond. Her brutal torture and murder in 1965 at the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski and her children shocked the nation, exposing the depths of human cruelty. However, within this unspeakable tragedy lies another story, one of survival, resilience, and the enduring weight of memory: the story of Jenny Likens, Sylvia's younger sister and the sole witness to the unimaginable atrocities that unfolded in that house of horrors.

While Sylvia's fate became a stark warning, etched into the collective consciousness, the question of what happened to Jenny Likens after the nightmare ended is equally compelling. Her life, irrevocably altered by the horrors she witnessed and sometimes endured, became a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and rebuild, even after experiencing the most profound sorrow and trauma. This article delves into Jenny's harrowing experience, her path to healing, and the lasting impact of a tragedy that continues to resonate decades later.

The Shadow of a Nightmare: Sylvia Likens' Tragic Fate
Jenny Likens: A Witness to Unimaginable Cruelty
The Horrific Abuse Unfolds: Jenny's Testimony
Seeking Justice: The Aftermath and Trial
Life Beyond the Horror: Jenny's Path to Healing
The Legacy of Sylvia Likens: A Memorial and a Warning
Jenny's Resilience: A Testament to Survival
Conclusion

The Shadow of a Nightmare: Sylvia Likens' Tragic Fate

To understand what happened to Jenny Likens, one must first grasp the horrifying context of her sister Sylvia's ordeal. In 1965, Sylvia Likens, then 16 years old, and her younger sister, Jenny, found themselves in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski, a family friend, in Indianapolis. Their impoverished father, traveling to make a meager living, had placed the girls with Baniszewski, believing it would offer them stability. This decision, however, led to a harrowing chain of events that would forever scar the lives of many, particularly Jenny.

A Trust Betrayed: The Baniszewski House

The Baniszewski house, initially perceived as a safe haven, soon turned into a living hell. Gertrude Baniszewski, a single mother with various children of her own, began a campaign of severe abuse against Sylvia. The abuse escalated rapidly, involving not only Gertrude but also her children and neighborhood youths. Sylvia was subjected to unimaginable torture: she was kept locked up in a basement, starved, dehydrated, and bore numerous injuries from burns to cuts and bruises. The physical torment was compounded by psychological degradation, including being forced to consume her own waste and having degrading words carved into her body. The words, “I’m […],” were found on her skin, a permanent scar of her torment.

Indianapolis news archives from October 28, 1965, tell of the horrific murder of Sylvia Likens: "Several Beat Slain Girl, 16, Police Told." The investigation indicated numerous young persons were involved in the abuse. When police found Sylvia's malnourished body at the Baniszewski house, it was bearing the horrifying testament to the prolonged torture she had endured. This unspeakable crime would become the most enduring nightmare in Indianapolis true crime history.

Jenny Likens: A Witness to Unimaginable Cruelty

Jenny Likens, a young girl whose life remained overshadowed by the horrific fate of her sister Sylvia Likens, experienced a tale of both survival and sorrow. She was not merely a bystander; Jenny was a tragic witness, and sometimes a target, of the abuse heaped upon her sister Sylvia. Her presence in the Baniszewski house during those early 1960s meant she saw, heard, and was forced to participate in some of the unspeakable acts perpetrated against her beloved sister.

Early Life and Vulnerabilities: Jenny's Background

Jenny Fay Likens was born into a large family. She was born between two sets of fraternal twins—Daniel and Dianna (two years older than her) and Benny and Jenny (one year younger). Yes, Jenny had a twin named Benny Likens. Jenny was a pretty young girl who was very close to her sister Sylvia. A crucial detail of Jenny's early life was her struggle with polio, which caused her to suffer from a leg brace. Sylvia, her older sister, took really good care of her, a bond that makes the subsequent events even more heartbreaking. It is thought that Sylvia often took abuse for Jenny, perhaps because of Jenny's vulnerability due to her polio.

Key Facts About Jenny Likens

Full Name: Jenny Fay Likens
Relationship to Sylvia: Younger sister, twin to Benny Likens
Age during abuse: Approximately 15 years old (Sylvia was 16)
Health Condition: Suffered from polio, requiring a leg brace
Role in Tragedy: Key witness to Sylvia's torture and murder, sometimes a target of abuse
Post-Trauma: Suffered from anxiety, required medication for years
Later Life: Married, had two children of her own

The Horrific Abuse Unfolds: Jenny's Testimony

When the chilling story of Jenny Likens unfolded, the entire nation was gripped with horror and disbelief. Jenny's testimony was pivotal in bringing Gertrude Baniszewski and her accomplices to justice. From the trial transcript testimony of Jenny Fay Likens, we get a glimpse into the daily horrors. When asked if Sylvia ate at the table with them when they had meals, Jenny's heartbreaking reply revealed the systematic dehumanization: "I don’t know they kept saying she was not clean and they did not want her to eat at the table." This simple statement speaks volumes about the level of degradation Sylvia endured, and Jenny witnessed.

Jenny was present for many of the horrific acts. She saw Gertrude say, "Come on, Sylvia, try," a twisted encouragement during torture. She witnessed Sylvia being kept locked up, injured, starving, and dehydrated. Jenny Likens was a tragic witness, and sometime target, of the abuse heaped upon her sister Sylvia. The sheer terror and helplessness she must have felt, trapped in that house, are almost impossible to comprehend. Her survival, and her ability to recount the events, were crucial in shedding light on the full extent of the depravity.

Seeking Justice: The Aftermath and Trial

The investigation efforts into what happened to Jenny Likens and Sylvia became a significant focal point for law enforcement, seeking justice and answers. Gertrude Baniszewski, also known as "the torture mother," was an Indiana divorcee who oversaw and facilitated the prolonged torture, mutilation, and murder of Sylvia Likens. She was sentenced to life in prison for her heinous crimes. Several of her children and neighborhood youths were also charged and convicted, though many received lighter sentences or were later paroled.

The trial itself was a sensation, drawing national attention to the unspeakable cruelty that had occurred. Jenny's testimony was a cornerstone of the prosecution's case, providing firsthand accounts of the daily torment Sylvia endured. Her courage in reliving those horrors for the sake of justice was remarkable. And while almost all of the participants are dead, the memory of what occurred—and how little they paid for it—certainly isn’t, a sentiment that resonates with many who followed the case.

Life Beyond the Horror: Jenny's Path to Healing

After the trial and the public outcry, the question of what happened to Jenny Likens in the decades that followed became a private journey of healing. Despite the unimaginable trauma she endured, Jenny Likens went on to marry and had two children of her own. This speaks volumes about her resilience and determination to build a life, a family, and a future, even after witnessing such profound darkness. Her ability to embrace life and motherhood is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

The Enduring Weight of Trauma

However, the scars of such an experience run deep, and healing is a lifelong process. Jenny spent years on medication due to anxiety from watching her sister’s torture and eventual murder. This is a stark reminder that psychological wounds can be as debilitating as physical ones, and the trauma of witnessing extreme violence leaves an indelible mark. Despite the immense suffering she endured and witnessed, Jenny doesn’t blame her parents for what happened during their childhood. This perspective highlights a remarkable capacity for understanding and forgiveness, choosing to focus on rebuilding rather than harboring resentment for circumstances beyond their control.

Jenny's journey is a powerful illustration of the long-term effects of trauma and the courage it takes to navigate them. Her life, while private, serves as an inspiration for others who have faced similar horrors, demonstrating that a fulfilling life is possible even after experiencing the worst of humanity.

The Legacy of Sylvia Likens: A Memorial and a Warning

The horrific death of Sylvia Likens at the Baniszewski house has left an indelible mark on society, serving as both a memorial to a lost life and a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked cruelty. A six-foot-tall memorial stands in Willard Park, Indianapolis, in memory of Sylvia Likens. This monument ensures that Sylvia's story is never forgotten, a constant reminder of the young life tragically cut short and the community's responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members.

Sylvia Likens' death has also been immortalized in popular culture, serving as the premise for Jack Ketchum's novel "The Girl Next Door" and inspiring the television drama "An American Crime." While these adaptations bring the story to a wider audience, they also underscore the enduring fascination and horror surrounding the case. Other crimes have involved a greater number of victims, but few have gripped the public consciousness with such raw disbelief and sorrow as Sylvia's.

Learning from the Past: Preventing Future Tragedies

The story of Sylvia and Jenny Likens is not just a historical account; it is a critical lesson in child protection and community vigilance. It highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of abuse, speaking up, and ensuring that no child suffers in silence. The recent revelation that an Iowa teacher's aide was fired from her job following the revelation that she was a member of an Indiana family notorious for torturing and killing a girl in their basement in 1965, underscores the long-lasting impact and public memory of this case, even decades later. This incident serves as a reminder that the consequences of such heinous acts reverberate through generations and that society continues to hold those involved accountable, even indirectly.

Learn about her tragic story, the impact of her abuse, and how to honor her memory today. Honoring Sylvia's memory means not only remembering her but actively working to prevent similar tragedies. It means supporting child welfare organizations, educating ourselves about the signs of abuse, and fostering communities where children are safe and protected.

Jenny's Resilience: A Testament to Survival

Ultimately, the story of what happened to Jenny Likens is a profound narrative of resilience. While Sylvia's story is one of tragic loss, Jenny's is one of enduring strength. She survived a living hell, faced her tormentors in court, and chose to build a life filled with love and family. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable evil, the human spirit can find a way to heal, to adapt, and to create a future.

Jenny Likens, along with her sister, Sylvia, lived in Baniszewski’s house during the early 1960s as boarders. However, their stay at the single mother and her various children’s house soon turned into a living hell when Baniszewski started severely abusing Sylvia, keeping her locked up in a basement, injured, starving, and dehydrated. Jenny was there, a silent observer and sometimes a victim herself. Her survival is a testament to her inner fortitude, and her continued life, though marked by trauma, is a quiet victory over the darkness she witnessed.

Conclusion

The story of Sylvia and Jenny Likens remains one of the most disturbing and impactful true crime cases in American history. While Sylvia's tragic death serves as a chilling reminder of human cruelty, Jenny's survival and subsequent life offer a glimmer of hope and the enduring power of resilience. Her courage in testifying, her struggle with the lasting effects of trauma, and her ultimate decision to build a family and a future paint a picture of extraordinary strength.

The memory of what occurred in that Indianapolis home continues to serve as a vital lesson: that vigilance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to protecting children are paramount. By remembering Sylvia and understanding what happened to Jenny Likens, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. Share this article to help keep their story alive and to advocate for the safety and well-being of all children. What are your thoughts on Jenny's incredible resilience? Leave a comment below.

What Happened to Jenny Likens: Uncovering the Aftermath of an Infamous

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