Netflix’s ‘Unknown Number’ Unravels the Haunting Tale of Mother-Daughter Cyberbullying Case

A Digital Deception Exposed

Netflix’s new documentary ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’, directed by Skye Borgman, delves into a shocking cyberbullying case that shook the small community of Beal City, Michigan.

The disturbing events began in early 2021 when Licari’s daughter, a student at Beal City Schools, started receiving hostile messages. These weren’t typical teenage teasing but deeply personal, eerily specific, and devastating communications, including threats and taunts. Up to a dozen messages per day flooded through Instagram, Snapchat, and anonymous texting apps.

The Investigation and Revelation

When concerned parents and school officials turned to law enforcement for help, the investigation initially focused on Lauryn and Owen’s classmates and friends, causing suspicion throughout their school and fracturing relationships. The breakthrough came when FBI investigation traced the harassing messages back to Kendra Licari, who subsequently confessed to sending thousands of hateful messages to the teenage couple.

Legal Consequences and Current Status

After pleading guilty to two counts of stalking a minor, Licari was sentenced to 19 months to 5 years in prison. She was released from prison on Aug. 8, 2024, and at the time filming concluded, still expressed a desire to be part of her daughter’s life.

The Documentary’s Impact

Director Borgman hopes the film will spark important conversations between parents and kids about technology and trust. As she notes, while this case is extreme, children face cyberbullying daily. The documentary highlights the maturity and resilience shown by the teens involved, who remained willing to help despite facing disbelief and accusations.

Mother and Daughter Today

Kendra Licari must maintain certain parole conditions, and she is not allowed to see her daughter, Lauryn, who now lives with her father. In the documentary, Lauryn expresses cautious hope about their future relationship, stating she wants to see her mother ‘when the time is right’ but acknowledges she needs time to rebuild trust. She emphasizes her desire for her mother to get the help she needs before they reconnect.