The enigmatic Genie, born in 1957, is a poignant example of the devastating consequences of severe abuse, neglect, and social isolation. Her extraordinary circumstances have left an indelible mark on the fields of linguistics and abnormal child psychology.
As a toddler, Genie's life was reduced to a bleak existence, confined to a locked room by her father. He would frequently restrain her in a child's toilet or a crib, rendering her arms and legs immobile, while prohibiting anyone from interacting with her. Her diet was woefully inadequate, leading to severe malnutrition.
The extent of Genie's isolation was so profound that she was deprived of any meaningful exposure to language, resulting in her failure to acquire spoken language during her childhood. The gravity of her situation only began to unfold in November 1970, when Los Angeles child welfare authorities intervened, discovering the 13-year-old Genie, who had been subjected to this cruel treatment for nearly 11 years.
