Paula Baniszewski: From Prison To Iowa School - Shocking Details
Can a past, particularly one stained with violence, truly be erased? The story of Paula Baniszewski, later known as Paula Pace, provides a harrowing case study, a life defined by a crime so heinous it continues to reverberate through the decades, testing the boundaries of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of a hidden past.
In the heartland of America, in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, a sequence of events unfolded in 1965 that would forever etch itself into the annals of criminal history. The case, steeped in brutality and familial dysfunction, centered around the tragic demise of Sylvia Likens, a teenager entrusted to the care of Gertrude Baniszewski. However, the environment that awaited Sylvia within the Baniszewski household was far from nurturing; it was a cauldron of torment, abuse, and ultimately, murder. Paula Baniszewski, just 17 years old at the time, was present within the household when Sylvia and her younger sister, Jenny Likens, were placed under Gertrude's care. Evidence presented during the trials would later reveal that Paula was not merely a bystander; she actively participated in the escalating abuse of Sylvia, even in the early stages of the ordeal.
The trial itself was a media sensation, capturing the attention of the nation. Five individuals stood accused of first-degree murder: Gertrude Baniszewski, as the central figure, and four minors, including Paula Baniszewski, John Baniszewski Jr., Richard Hobbs, and Coy Hubbard. Rumors circulated, suggesting that accusations were made at school by the Likens girls that Paula and Stephanie Baniszewski "were doing sex for money." The initial court proceedings painted a grim picture of the events leading up to Sylvia's death. It was revealed that Sylvia suffered unimaginable physical and psychological torture. She was deprived of food, subjected to beatings, and forced to endure unspeakable acts. The house became a place of unimaginable cruelty.
| Full Name | Paula Baniszewski (later Paula Pace) |
| Born | Approximately 1948 (estimated) |
| Age at Time of Crime | 17 |
| Known for | Involvement in the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens |
| Initial Charges | First-degree murder |
| Plea | Voluntary manslaughter |
| Sentence | Initially life imprisonment; later retrial with a sentence of 2 to 21 years |
| Release from Prison | 1972 |
| Post-Release Life | Changed her name to Paula Pace, moved to Iowa, worked in the education sector |
| Current Status | Living under the name Paula Pace; her past was revealed in 2012 |
| Controversy | Fired from her school aide position after her past was revealed. |
| Reference | Wikipedia |
Paula Baniszewski's role in the unfolding tragedy was significant. During the trials, it became clear that she was not merely a passive observer of the escalating abuse. She actively participated in the torment of Sylvia, inflicting both physical and emotional pain. On one occasion, Paulas assault on Sylvia was so severe that it resulted in a broken hand. However, as the legal process unfolded, Paula, like the other defendants, navigated a complicated web of legal proceedings.
Facing the prospect of a trial for first-degree murder, Paula Baniszewski eventually opted to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. This plea bargain allowed her to avoid another potentially lengthy and public trial. The Indiana Department of Corrections records indicate that she was sentenced in August 1971. Gertrude and Paula Baniszewski were initially sentenced to life in prison on May 25, 1966. The legal path, however, was not always straightforward. Paula Baniszewski's conviction was appealed. Her attorney worked diligently for her, and she was granted a retrial in 1971, which resulted in a sentence of two to 21 years in prison. It was a significant shift in the legal landscape.
In the wake of these events, Paula Baniszewski was released from prison in 1972. The experience, undoubtedly transformative, marked a turning point in her life. After completing her parole, she embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Iowa. It was here that she sought to create a new identity, to leave behind the shadow of her past. In Indianapolis in 1965, she was known as Paula Baniszewski. Years later, she would become known as Paula Pace. For years, she concealed the truth about her criminal history, and she became an aide to a school counselor.
Paula's ability to build a new life was remarkable. She married and started a family, and she became an integral part of the community. She worked for the BCLUW school district in Conrad, Iowa, starting in 1998. However, the past has a persistent way of resurfacing, and in 2012, the secrets she had carefully guarded for decades came to light. The discovery of her true identity sent shockwaves through the community, and she was subsequently fired from her position at the school. The revelation was a harsh reminder of the weight of her past, the enduring consequences of her actions, and the challenges of redemption.
The events surrounding the murder of Sylvia Likens remain a deeply disturbing and complex case. The actions of Gertrude Baniszewski and those, like Paula, who participated in the abuse, are hard to comprehend. Gertrude Baniszewski died of lung cancer in June 1990 at the age of 60. The case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and even a film, An American Crime, which was released in 2007, further cementing its place in popular culture and reminding everyone of the brutality that took place in Indianapolis.
The role of the other individuals involved also brought complexity to the case. Richard Hobbs, Coy Hubbard, and John Baniszewski Jr., were also indicted and convicted. John Baniszewski, Hubbard, and Hobbs were convicted of manslaughter, and would each serve from two to 21 years. Stephanie Baniszewskis attorney managed to secure her a separate trial, and later, the murder charge against her was also dropped.
The story of Paula Baniszewski, now Paula Pace, raises profound questions about the possibility of redemption and the impact of choices made in youth. Can a person ever truly escape the consequences of their past, especially when that past involves such a horrific crime? While Paula was released from prison and attempted to build a new life, the revelation of her past shows how difficult it is to outrun one's history. The case highlights the challenges of forgiveness and the enduring power of a single, horrific act. While she served her time and made an effort to rebuild her life, the shadow of her actions would always follow her. The case, therefore, underscores the enduring impact of our choices and the ways in which the past can continue to shape the present.
