'Million-dollar question' remains after 'Unknown Number' doc: Prosecutor
Share this @internewscast.com

The prosecutor featured in Netflix’s documentary, “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish,” refers to the reason behind Kendra Licari’s actions as a “million-dollar question,” questioning why she cyberbullied her own daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend.

“I don’t think anybody ever really is going to know why she did this,” David Barberi told “Banfield” on Monday.

“I think our general theory is that as the harassment began to harm her daughter, her daughter looked to her for support. Through this relationship and the ongoing harassment, it seems Licari may have become dependent on that,” the prosecutor explained.

In the fall of 2020, Kendra Licari started sending hostile texts to her daughter, Lauryn, and Lauryn’s boyfriend, Owen McKenny, in an attempt to separate them.

The texts were often extremely vulgar, with many accusing Lauryn of not satisfying McKenny sexually, and sometimes amounted to 40-50 messages daily. Licari admitted her actions were tied to unresolved trauma from being raped at 17.

Licari was arrested in 2022. She was sentenced to 19 months in prison as a result in March 2023.

Documentary didn’t capture effect on families involved: Prosecutor

Despite her courtroom apology, Barberi believes Licari’s words did little for the affected families, considering the damage caused.

“It’s hard to convey the full extent of this experience in an hour and a half, when the families endured it for more than a year,” Barberi stated. “This ongoing trauma, this harassment, these constant explicit messages were a pervasive experience for all involved.”

Barberi specifically discussed Owen McKenny and his family, describing how much pain and anguish they went through during the ordeal.

McKenny also received nonstop texts from Kendra Licari for over two years.

“You can only imagine what it would be like to be his mother and his family having to watch their son deal with this over a year of battling this in school and with friends and trying to figure out where it was coming from, you know?” Barberi noted.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Immigration Status Changes Amid First Amendment Lawsuit

BOSTON – On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that academics involved in…

Asian Markets Surge as Japan Holds Steady on Interest Rates; US Futures Rise in Response

Asian stock markets, along with U.S. futures, showed modest gains on Friday…

Saltville Resident Found Guilty of Murder in June 2025 Shooting Incident

SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — In a significant courtroom decision on Thursday,…

TikTok Concludes Agreement to Launch U.S. Enterprise

TikTok announced on Thursday the formation of a new U.S.-based entity. This…

Tragic Discovery: Two Dogs Found Dead in Piney Flats Home Amid Neglect Allegations, Says SCSO

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office recently discovered a troubling situation in Piney…

Elizabeth Hurley Denounces ‘Monstrous’ Privacy Breach by Daily Mail in High-Profile British Media Hacking Case

LONDON – In a dramatic turn of events, Elizabeth Hurley has leveled…

Palm Bay Resident Allegedly Confines Child in Room for Days with Limited Amenities, Authorities Report

PALM BAY, Fla. – Authorities have apprehended a 61-year-old man from Palm…

Orlando Welcomes New Leadership with Swearing-In of 22nd Fire Chief

ORLANDO, Fla. – This Friday, Jason Revoldt is set to be officially…

Braving the Flames: How Chilean Firefighters Combat Drones, Arsonists, and Assaults Amid Deadly Wildfires

FLORIDA – In Chile, firefighters and security forces are confronting one of…

EU Commission Pushes Forward on Mercosur Trade Deal Amid Parliament’s Delay Vote

FRANKFURT – Despite recent delays, the European Union remains poised to initiate…

Missouri Legislator Faces Reprimand Over Inappropriate Text During Redistricting Demonstration

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Thursday, Missouri legislators officially censured a state…

Turkey Applauds Syrian Government Advancements Against Kurdish-Led Forces

ANKARA – In recent developments, Turkey is marking significant progress in Syria,…