The 5 Most Shocking Revelations From 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish' (And Where Kendra Licari Is Now)
The Netflix true crime documentary, 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish,' has become a global obsession since its recent release, sparking intense public debate over its deeply disturbing subject matter. Released in August 2024, the film chronicles the bizarre and emotionally destructive cyberbullying campaign against two Michigan teenagers, Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny, only to reveal a perpetrator far closer to home than anyone could have imagined. The story is a harrowing look at the devastating psychological impact of online harassment, particularly when the source is someone you trust implicitly.
This documentary, directed by true crime veteran Skye Borgman (known for Girl in the Picture), dives deep into the two-year timeline of relentless, cruel, and manipulative text messages. The most shocking element, however, is the identity of the person behind the 'Unknown Number': Lauryn's own mother, Kendra Licari. The recent updates surrounding her legal case and short sentence have fueled widespread outrage, making this one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year.
The Central Figures and Shocking True Story Timeline
The documentary centers on the unbelievable true story that unfolded in Isabella County, Michigan. The narrative is built around the victims and the investigation that eventually unmasked the culprit. Below is a profile of the key individuals and the case details that shocked the nation:
- Full Name: Kendra Gail Licari
- Role: Perpetrator (Mother of Lauryn Licari)
- Crime: Catfishing and cyberbullying her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend for nearly two years.
- Charges: Two counts of stalking a minor, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of obstruction of justice.
- Sentence Date: April 26, 2023
- Sentence: 60 days in jail, followed by 18 months of probation, and 100 hours of community service.
- Current Status: Released from jail in August 2024 (after the documentary’s release) and is reportedly living with family near Detroit, Michigan.
- Victim 1: Lauryn Licari (Daughter of Kendra Licari)
- Victim 2: Owen McKenny (Lauryn's then-boyfriend)
- Director: Skye Borgman (Also directed Girl in the Picture and Abducted in Plain Sight)
- Location of Crime: Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan
- Duration of Cyberbullying: Nearly two years, starting when Lauryn was 13.
The Unfathomable Timeline of Emotional Abuse
The campaign of abuse began with unsettling messages and quickly escalated into a torrent of relentless, cruel texts. The unknown person, who was later revealed to be Kendra Licari, used sophisticated methods to mask her identity, including VPNs and burner phones, making the investigation incredibly difficult.
The cyberbully sought to destroy the relationship between Lauryn and Owen, often sending sexually explicit and threatening messages. The messages were so specific and targeted that the victims and investigators initially believed the culprit had to be a classmate or someone within their immediate social circle. The documentary meticulously details the investigation by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, which ultimately traced the digital footprints back to Kendra Licari’s devices.
The 5 Most Disturbing Revelations That Sparked Global Outrage
While the premise of a mother catfishing her own daughter is shocking enough, the documentary uncovers layers of psychological manipulation and legal outcomes that have made it a lightning rod for controversy and public discussion about the nature of modern cybercrime.
1. The Perpetrator’s Unclear, Evasive Motive
Perhaps the most unsettling part of the documentary is the lack of a clear, coherent motive. When questioned, Kendra Licari offered vague and contradictory explanations, suggesting she was trying to "help" her daughter or that she was simply "not entirely sure why she did what she did."
Director Skye Borgman admitted that the motive remains ambiguous, stating that the psychological underpinnings of the case are what make it so disturbing. The abuse was systematic and sustained, pointing less to a momentary lapse in judgment and more to a deep-seated, manipulative behavior that caused severe emotional trauma to both victims.
2. The Devastatingly Short 60-Day Sentence
The legal outcome is the single biggest point of contention among viewers and true crime commentators. Despite pleading guilty to multiple serious charges, including stalking a minor and using a computer to commit a crime, Kendra Licari was sentenced to a mere 60 days in jail.
This incredibly short sentence for what was essentially two years of sustained, malicious psychological torture and emotional abuse has been widely criticized as a failure of the justice system to adequately address the severity of cybercrime, especially when the victim is a child and the perpetrator is a parent. Many viewers felt the punishment did not fit the crime, especially considering the long-term emotional damage inflicted on Lauryn and Owen.
3. The Use of a Sophisticated Digital Cover-Up
Kendra Licari's efforts to conceal her identity were not amateur. The documentary highlights how she used multiple burner phones, proxy servers, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to obscure the source of the texts. This level of technical sophistication suggested a deliberate, calculated effort to inflict harm while evading detection, making the two-year investigation a complex digital forensic challenge for the Michigan State Police and the FBI.
The Aftermath: Lauryn Licari’s Current Relationship with Her Mother
The documentary provides a painful but necessary look at the aftermath of the reveal. For Lauryn Licari, the realization that her mother was the source of her torment shattered her sense of reality and trust. As director Skye Borgman noted, Lauryn was left questioning how much of her life and her mother's actions were genuine.
The film addresses the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship post-conviction. While the documentary doesn't offer a definitive, simple answer, it suggests a profound and difficult path toward any potential reconciliation. The sense of betrayal is immense, and the emotional scars from the relentless cyberbullying—delivered by the one person who should have protected her—will undoubtedly take years to heal. The updates on Lauryn’s current relationship with her mother are, understandably, complicated and private.
The Broader Context of Catfishing and True Crime
‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’ has firmly cemented itself in the genre of must-watch Netflix true crime documentaries, sitting alongside other popular titles like The Tinder Swindler, Don't F**k with Cats, and Borgman’s own Girl in the Picture. The success of the film highlights a public fascination with cases of digital deception and emotional manipulation.
The documentary serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of online anonymity and the psychological toll of cyberbullying. It introduces the term "parental catfishing" into the public lexicon, forcing a conversation about the unique form of betrayal and abuse that occurs when a caregiver uses digital tools to emotionally torment their own child. The case has also brought significant attention to the Isabella County Circuit Court and the need for updated legislation to address the gravity of crimes committed through digital means. The fact that Kendra Licari was released in August 2024, shortly after the documentary’s premiere, ensures the conversation and public scrutiny of the case will continue for the foreseeable future.
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