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The Catfish Mom: 7 Shocking Facts About Kendra Licari And Her Life On Parole

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The "Catfish Mom" case remains one of the most disturbing examples of modern cyber-crime, forcing a worldwide conversation about digital parental control and psychological manipulation. As of December 21, 2025, the woman at the center of the scandal, Kendra Gail Licari, is technically free, having been released on parole, but her life is governed by a strict set of rules following her conviction for stalking her own child and her child’s boyfriend. The harrowing story was brought to global attention by the Netflix documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, detailing her nearly two-year campaign of online harassment against her 13-year-old daughter, Lauryn Licari, and the daughter's then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny.

The case, which unfolded in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, highlights the terrifying reality of cyberbullying and the extreme lengths a parent went to control their child’s life, all while pretending to be an anonymous high school student. The latest updates focus not only on Kendra Licari’s current status but also on the remarkable recovery and resilience of her victims, who have bravely moved forward with their lives after the traumatic events.

Biography and Profile: Who is Kendra Gail Licari?

Kendra Gail Licari, infamously dubbed the "Catfish Mom," was a Michigan woman whose life was publicly scrutinized after she was revealed to be the person behind a prolonged cyberstalking campaign targeting minors.

  • Full Name: Kendra Gail Licari
  • Primary Location: Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan
  • Victims: Her daughter, Lauryn Licari, and Lauryn’s then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny.
  • Former Occupation: High school girls’ basketball coach in Mt. Pleasant.
  • Timeline of Cyberstalking: The campaign began in late 2020 and lasted for nearly two years.
  • Charges: She pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. (Note: Some earlier charges, including obstruction of justice, were dropped as part of a plea deal).
  • Conviction Date: March 22, 2023, with sentencing on April 26, 2023.
  • Sentence: 19 months to five years in prison.
  • Current Status: Parolee (Released on August 8th, with supervision having begun).

The Shocking Timeline: Catfishing Her Own Daughter

The sheer duration and calculated nature of Kendra Licari’s scheme are what make the "Catfish Mom" case so disturbing. The harassment began in October 2020, when Lauryn Licari was just 13 years old, and her mother was the last person anyone suspected.

The Anonymous Campaign of Abuse

The cyberbullying campaign involved hundreds of abusive text messages and social media posts, primarily targeting Lauryn and Owen. Kendra Licari created multiple fake personas, employing sophisticated tactics like using virtual private networks (VPNs) and burner phones to mask her identity. The messages were often vulgar and threatening, causing severe emotional distress to the teenagers.

A shocking detail revealed in the investigation was that Kendra Licari actively participated in the search for the cyberbully. She accompanied her daughter to report the harassment to authorities at Beal City High School and even offered to help track down the perpetrator, all while knowing she was the culprit. This level of deception, known as a form of manipulation, is a key focus of the psychological analysis of the case.

The Unmasking and Arrest

The investigation was initially complicated by Licari’s use of technology, which led authorities to believe the messages originated from several locations. However, a joint task force eventually traced the IP addresses and phone numbers back to Licari's home and her devices. She was arrested in December 2021, nearly 15 months after the campaign began, and subsequently fired from her coaching position.

The reveal was devastating, not just for Lauryn but for the entire community of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, where Kendra Licari was a trusted figure. The public's reaction, fueled by the later Netflix documentary, was one of disbelief and horror, leading to intense scrutiny of the psychological motivations behind the crime.

The Deep Psychology of the "Catfish Mom"

What drives a mother to cyberstalk and harass her own child? This question has been the subject of extensive psychological analysis, with experts pointing to several potential factors, from control issues to complex disorders.

Control, Manipulation, and Covert Abuse

Many psychologists who have analyzed the case suggest that Licari’s actions were rooted in a deep-seated need for control over her daughter’s life. By creating a crisis (the bullying), she became the central figure in solving it, allowing her to gain sympathy and insert herself into every aspect of Lauryn's emotional well-being. This behavior aligns with manipulative and controlling patterns, where the perpetrator manufactures drama to ensure they remain the focus or the "hero" in their victim's life.

Some analyses have drawn parallels between Licari’s behavior and Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP), now known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA). While FDIA typically involves physical harm, the core mechanism—creating illness or injury to gain attention or sympathy—can be seen in the digital realm, where Licari created emotional and psychological trauma to fulfill a need.

The Role of Cognitive Distortions

The case also showcases various cognitive distortions, where Licari rationalized her harmful behavior. She reportedly claimed the cyberstalking was an attempt to get her daughter to open up to her. This is a classic example of justifying abusive actions as being "for their own good" or "a misguided attempt at help," which is a common defense mechanism for perpetrators of covert abuse.

Where Are Kendra Licari and Her Victims Now? (Latest Updates)

The most current information, vital for a fresh and unique article, revolves around the aftermath of the conviction and the current lives of those involved, as of late 2025.

Kendra Licari’s Life on Parole

Kendra Licari was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months in prison and a maximum of five years. She was released on parole on August 8th (the year is recent, as confirmed by her parolee status on the MDOC database). Her parole comes with incredibly strict conditions, a common practice for cyber-crime convictions involving minors.

Her life is now governed by numerous rules, including restrictions on her use of digital devices and social media. The specific conditions are designed to prevent any further contact with the victims and to monitor her behavior closely, ensuring she cannot repeat her cyberstalking offenses.

Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny’s Resilience

The victims, Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, have shown remarkable strength in moving past the trauma.

  • Lauryn Licari: She successfully graduated from Beal City High School in 2024. More importantly, she has continued her athletic career and is now playing collegiate softball, a powerful symbol of her ability to move forward and thrive despite the emotional damage inflicted by her mother.
  • Owen McKenny: He has also moved on with his life, though the experience of being cyberbullied by his girlfriend's mother was a significant trauma. Both victims' stories were central to the documentary, which served as a form of public testimony to their ordeal.

The "Catfish Mom" case serves as an urgent warning about the dark side of digital anonymity and the devastating impact of cyberstalking, especially when the perpetrator is someone meant to be a protector. The resilience of Lauryn and Owen, juxtaposed with the strict parole life of Kendra Licari, closes a deeply unsettling chapter in modern true crime.

The Catfish Mom: 7 Shocking Facts About Kendra Licari and Her Life on Parole
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