Susan Wiley: The most disturbed child you have ever seen
In October 1970, a frail girl walked into a welfare office in Los Angeles. She seemed about six or seven years old, but her appearance was strange.
Her back was bent, and she held her hands up like a rabbit. Her mother, who had poor eyesight, was looking for services for the blind and had entered the wrong room. However, the welfare officers couldn’t take their eyes off the girl.
A Troubled Discovery
At first, the officers thought she had autism. Then they realized she couldn’t talk, was incontinent, and salivated and spat. She had an unusual condition—two sets of teeth. Her body was weak, and she weighed only 59 pounds (26 kg). The shocking truth soon came out: this girl was 13 years old.
The authorities gave her the name “Genie” to protect her identity. Her father had kept her locked up since she was a toddler. He tied her to a chair and forced her to stay silent. If she made any noise, he would beat her. He treated her worse than an animal.
A Case That Shocked the Nation
News about Genie spread quickly. It was one of the worst cases of child abuse in American history. People compared her to “feral children” from old legends—kids raised by animals, like the wolf child of Hesse in the 14th century. How could something so terrible happen in a quiet California neighborhood?
Soon, the media lost interest. The Vietnam War was raging, and the Beatles were breaking up. But scientists, especially linguists, were still fascinated. Genie had grown up without learning any language or social skills. They wondered if she could now learn to speak and live a normal life.
An Experiment for Science
Doctors and researchers rushed to study her. They ran countless tests and published many papers. Genie became an important subject for studying human development. But by the late 1970s, interest faded. Genie disappeared from public view. She became a ward of the state and was placed in various institutions. Today, she reportedly remains in state care, though her exact location is unknown.
Professor Susan Curtiss from UCLA, who had studied and befriended Genie, said, “I’m pretty sure she’s still alive. I ask about her, but they never let me contact her.” She hasn’t seen Genie since the early 1980s.
The Lasting Impact on Researchers
Few people know what happened to Genie. Did she learn to talk? Is she happy? These questions remain unanswered. But one thing is clear: the case left deep marks on everyone involved.
Many scientists and caregivers who worked with Genie ended up in bitter disputes. Their cooperation turned into feuds and accusations of exploitation. The situation was emotionally and professionally devastating for many.
The Family’s Tragic Story
Genie’s father, Clark Wiley, had a difficult life. He grew up in foster homes and later worked as a machinist. He married Irene Oglesby, who was 20 years younger. He hated noise and didn’t want children. Tragically, their first two children died young. Their third child, John, survived, followed by the girl who would become Genie.
After a drunk driver killed Clark’s mother in 1958, he became angry and paranoid. He locked Genie in a small room and forced her to live in silence. She spent the entire 1960s in isolation, strapped to a potty seat or tied in a crib.
In 1970, Irene finally escaped with Genie and went to the welfare office. Clark was charged with child abuse but took his own life. His suicide note read, “The world will never understand.”
Genie’s Life After Rescue
Genie was placed in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. Experts from around the country wanted to study her. She was a unique opportunity to learn about language and brain development.
At first, Genie made progress. She learned some words, like “blue,” “mother,” and “go.” She could play, dress herself, and even enjoyed music. She communicated through pictures and improved her motor skills. Her intelligence showed in non-verbal ways.
Professor Curtiss, who bonded closely with Genie, said, “She was smart. She could tell stories with pictures and build complex structures from sticks. The lights were on.”
Language Limits and Setbacks
Genie learned vocabulary but couldn’t master grammar. This supported the idea that there’s a critical period for language development, usually before age 10. Beyond that, it becomes very difficult to learn.
Unfortunately, Genie’s progress didn’t last. In 1972, conflicts arose between caregivers and researchers. Funding ran out, and Genie was placed in inadequate foster homes. Her mother briefly took custody but couldn’t manage. Genie ended up in state institutions, and her condition worsened.
A Tragic Aftermath for Everyone
Russ Rymer, a journalist who wrote about Genie, described her as a “bumbling woman with a vacant expression” at her 27th birthday party. Her dark hair was unevenly cut, and she seemed lost and sad.
Many involved with Genie’s case carried emotional scars. Professor Jay Shurley, who saw her at later birthdays, said, “It was heartrending. She had a brief chance at a better life, but the door shut again.”
Curtiss still feels deep sorrow. “I long to see her. There’s a hole in my heart that doesn’t go away.”
The Ripple Effect
Genie’s story also affected her brother, John. He felt God had failed him and lived with deep shame. He saw Genie for the last time in 1982 and lost touch with their mother, who died in 2003.
John’s own life was troubled. He had brushes with the law, struggled with diabetes, and died in 2011. His daughter, Pamela, also faced difficulties and died in 2012, leaving behind two daughters.
The Legacy of Genie’s Story
In Arab folklore, a genie is a spirit trapped in a bottle, capable of granting wishes when freed. The real Genie enchanted many people with hope for her recovery. But she couldn’t escape her past fully.
Genie’s story raises deep questions about human nature, language, and resilience. It left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her—and continues to haunt those who remember her.
FAQs About Genie, the Feral Child
1. Who was Genie?
Genie was the pseudonym given to a girl who suffered extreme abuse and neglect at the hands of her father. She was discovered in 1970 in Los Angeles, at age 13, having spent most of her life in isolation.
2. Why is Genie called a “feral child”?
A “feral child” is a term used for children who grow up with little to no human contact. While Genie wasn’t raised by animals, her isolation deprived her of normal social and linguistic development, similar to feral children in legends.
3. What made Genie’s case unique?
Genie’s lack of exposure to language during her critical developmental years made her a rare case for studying how language and social interaction shape human development.
4. What caused Genie’s condition?
Genie’s father isolated her in a small room, tied her to a chair, and forbade her from speaking or making noise. This extreme neglect and abuse stunted her physical, mental, and emotional development.
5. What were some of Genie’s abilities when discovered?
When Genie was found, she could speak only a few words, like “blue” and “go.” However, she demonstrated intelligence in non-verbal ways, such as drawing, organizing pictures into stories, and building structures.
6. Could Genie learn to speak?
Genie learned some vocabulary but struggled with grammar, supporting the idea of a “critical period” for language development, typically before age 10. After this period, acquiring complex language skills becomes extremely difficult.
7. What happened to Genie after she was discovered?
After being rescued, Genie was studied by scientists, linguists, and doctors. She initially made progress but later regressed due to conflicts among her caregivers and being moved between inadequate foster homes and state institutions.
8. Where is Genie now?
Genie’s current whereabouts are not publicly known. She is believed to be living in a state-run care facility in California.
9. How did Genie’s case impact science?
Genie’s case provided valuable insights into language acquisition, brain development, and the effects of extreme neglect. Her story also raised ethical questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in research.
10. What happened to Genie’s family?
Genie’s father committed suicide shortly after her discovery. Her mother, Irene, briefly regained custody but later lost contact. Genie’s brother, John, had a troubled life and died in 2011. Other family members also faced significant hardships.
11. Why did Genie’s caregivers and researchers stop working with her?
Conflicts and accusations of exploitation among her caregivers and researchers led to the breakdown of collaboration. Funding for research on Genie also ended, contributing to the cessation of her studies.
12. What is the critical period hypothesis, and how does it relate to Genie?
The critical period hypothesis suggests that there is a limited window during childhood when the brain is especially capable of learning language. Genie’s inability to master grammar despite learning some words supported this theory.
13. What lessons can we learn from Genie’s story?
Genie’s story highlights the importance of early human interaction for development, the ethical responsibilities in research, and the long-lasting effects of abuse and neglect.
14. Did Genie’s case lead to any positive outcomes?
While Genie herself faced a tragic life, her case contributed significantly to our understanding of human development and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.