RetroIndy: Torture death of Sylvia Likens

The corner home of Gertrude Baniszewski where Sylvia Likens was tortured and murdered. Two houses to the right is the home of Richard Hobbs who was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of Likens.

Sylvia Likens was thrown down the cellar stairs and locked in, given crackers for food and refused the right to use a bathroom. Gertrude Baniszewski announced to her children that Sylvia was a "prostitute, and she's proud of it; so we'll just put it on her stomach." She took a large needle and began to carve the words "I'm a prostitute and proud of it!" into Sylvia's stomach. Richard Hobbs, a neighbor boy, finished the etching. When Baniszewski realized Sylvia might be dying, she forced her to write a note saying a gang of boys beat her. The plan was to blindfold her and dump her in nearby woods with the note. Sylvia tried to escape but Gertrude and one of the boys stopped her, beating her again and throwing her back into the basement. May 3, 1966

After the beatings, Sylvia was forced into a scalding hot bath so she would be "cleansed of her sins." She was severely beaten and burned for wetting her mattress while asleep and Gertrude decided that Sylvia was no longer fit to live with her children.

May 4, 1966 -- Where Branded Girl Died -- State and defense attorneys today viewed this mattress, laying on the floor of the Gertrude Baniszewski home, where police said they found the beaten and branded body of Sylvia Marie Likens. A tour of the house also was arranged for a jury hearing the murder trial of Mrs. Baniszewski and four teenagers.

Pallbearers carry the body of Sylvia Likens, while her father Lester Likens follows behind them. (wiping his face). Nov. 1, 1965

Six defendants and two defense attorneys in the Sylvia LIkens murder trial await the opening of court session April 20, 1966. Seated, left to right, are attorney John Nedeff, Stephanie Baniszewski, Richard Hobbs, Paula Baniszewski, John Baniszewski, Coy Hubbard, Gertrude Baniszewski and attorney William Erbecker.

Bystanders crowd around two of Sylvia Likens' sisters in the hallway outside the courtroom as they discuss Sylvia's torture slaying with newsmen. Jennie Likens (left), 15, lived with Sylvia in the home of Gertrude Baniszewski where the tortures occured. Her older sister, Diana Shoemaker, 18 said she tried to see Sylvia but Mrs. Baniszewski threatened to have her arrested.

Gertrude Baniszewski hears the guilty verdict with her attorney, William Erbecker. May 20, 1966

Gertrude Baniszewski and son John, 13 say goodbye following the trial for the murder of Sylvia Likens.

In September 1985, Gertrude Baniszewski was released on parole. She changed her name to Nadine Van Fossan and moved to Iowa where she lived in obscurity until her death from lung cancer on June 16, 1990. Paula married and moved to a farm in Iowa.

Gertrude Baniszewski, awaits the beginning of testimony in the murder case of Sylvia Likens. April 28, 1966.

Gertrude Baniszewski, serving a life sentence for the 1965 torture-slaying of Sylvia Likens during her second trial in 1971. The trial was brought to Peru on a change of venue. The juryy deliberated 2 1/2 hours before returning the conviction for first-degree murder.

Richard Hobbs and Paula Baniszewski, two of the defendants in the Sylvia LIkens murder trial, shun photographers during the recess in their trial. April 27, 1966

Jenny Likens, sister of murdered Sylvia Likens testifies during a parole hearing for Gertrude Baniszewski. Dec 4, 1985

Gertrude Baniszewski hears the guilty verdict with her attorney, William Erbecker in connection with the torture slaying of Sylvia Likens. May 20, 1966

Gertrude Baniszewski confers with her attorney William Erbecker during her trial for the torture slaying of Sylvia Likens. May 11, 1966

Jenny Likens, the 16-year old sister of murdered Sylvia Likens and one of the principal state's witnesses in the murder trial, boarded a plane for a trip to a Women's Job Corps project in Poland Spirings. Leroy New, Marion Co. deputy prosecutor, whose family Jenny had lived since the trial, saw her off at the airport.

Gertrude BAniszewski says goodbye to her son John, 13, after both were sentenced May 25, 1968 in the torture slaying of 16-year old Sylvia Likens. Baniszewski was convicted of first degree murder and given life imprisonment. John Baniszewski was sentenced to the Indiana Reformatory for 2 to 21 years after being convicted of manslaughter.

Jenny Likens, Mrs. Betty Likens visit prosecutor new. nov. 22, 1967 Sylvia Likens.

John Baniszewski Jr. during trial for his part in the torture slaying of Sylvia Likens, May 2, 1966

Gertrude BAniszewski, breaks into tears beside her attorney, William Erbecker, as a jury convicts her of first-degree murder in the torture slaying of Sylvia LIkens.

Bystanders crowd around two of Sylvia Likens' sisters in the hallway outside the courtroom as they discuss Sylvia's torture slaying with newsmen. Jennie Likens (left), 15, lived with Sylvia in the home of Gertrude Baniszewski where the tortures occured. Her older sister, Diana Shoemaker, 18 said she tried to see Sylvia but Mrs. Baniszewski threatened to have her arrested.

Pallbearers carry the body of Sylvia Likens, while her father Lester Likens follows behind them. (wiping his face). nov. 1, 1965

John Baniszewski Sr. center, cuddles daugher Paula, 18 and son John Jr. following her sentence of life in prison in connection with the death of Sylvia Likens. May 24, 1966

Gertrude Baniszewski, (face to camera) talks with her attorney, William Erbecker, before the second day of jury selection began in the trial of six defendants charged with the torture slaying of Sylvia LIkens. Baniszewski and her 17-year-old daughter, Paula (left) are two of the defendants charged in the murder of 16 year old Sylvia at the Baniszewski home Oct. 26, 1966.

Gertrude Baniszewski, accused along with five juveniles in the torture-death of Sylvia LIkens, is seated before the microphones in the closing hours of the trial. Attorneys James Nedeff and William Erbecker are seated at extreme left. Other principals in the trial are Judge Saul Rab (on the bench) and the jurors, seated ar right.

Richard Hobbs (left) and John Baniszewski during their trial for the torture death of Sylvia Likens. May 18, 1966.

Shirley Baniszewski, 10, with foster mother. Shirley was a witness to the murder of Sylvia Likens.

Richard Dean Hobbs, 15 and Gertrude Baniszewski listen to Judge Harry Zaklan as he orders then bound over to the Marion County grand jury Nov. 1, 1965. Both were charged with the murder of Sylvia LIkens.

The various faces of Gertrude Baniszewski during her second trial in connection with the 1965 torture slaying of Sylvia Likens. July 31, 1971

Six defendants and two defense attorneys in the Sylvia LIkens murder trial await the opening of court session April 20, 1966. Seated, left to right, are attorney John Nedeff, Stephanie Baniszewski, Richard Hobbs, Paula Baniszewski, John Baniszewski, Coy Hubbard, Gertrude Baniszewski and attorney William Erbecker.

Gertrude Baniszewski, flanked by corretions officers, hears parole board's decision to free her. Baniszewski had been sent to prison for the murder of Sylvia Likens. Dec 4, 1985

John Baniszewski Jr. 13 talks with his attorney Forrest Bowman Jr. during the trial for the torture slaying of Sylvia Likens. April 28, 1966