Shivangi Sinha
In October 2020, Lauryn Licari began receiving cruel text messages from an unknown number. At first, she thought they would stop, but the harassment continued, filled with demeaning and humiliating remarks. The situation eventually contributed to her breakup with her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenney. When police investigated, they considered multiple suspects before tracing the messages back to Lauryn’s mother, Kendra Licari. In Netflix’s ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish,’ Kendra shared her perspective and gave her own account of the events and her actions.
Kendra Licari’s Criminal Activities Were Traced Back to Her After Over a Year
Kendra Gail Licari built a life with her husband, Shawn, in Beal City, Michigan, where they raised their daughter, Lauryn. Outwardly, she seemed like the perfect mother who was deeply involved in her child’s life. She even served as a basketball and baseball coach at Lauryn’s school, and acted as both a friend and confidant. She was believed to be working in the technology department at Ferris State University and claimed to have an extensive background in the field. She described herself as the household’s leading financial manager, though the family faced struggles. At one point, after failing to pay for rented storage units, their belongings were seized.
In October 2020, Lauryn and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenney, began receiving disturbing messages from an unknown number. The texts targeted their relationship and criticized Lauryn’s appearance. As time went on, the messages became increasingly vulgar and sexually explicit, prompting her parents to involve the police. Kendra, who was friends with Owen’s family, also joined the efforts to uncover the sender’s identity. However, the local police were unable to make much progress, and speculation spread about possible culprits. Some fellow students, such as Khloe Wilson and Adrianna, faced accusations, but no evidence supported these claims. Lauryn and Owen eventually broke up, and it was not until 2022 that the FBI became involved.
Investigators were able to trace the messages back to an IP address linked to Kendra. At that point, Kendra and Shawn were already living separately and had relocated to different homes. Authorities also discovered that she had misrepresented much of her employment history, and the family had been experiencing financial difficulties. When questioned, Kendra admitted that she began sending some of the messages after the initial ones had appeared, claiming her intention was to insert herself into the situation and help identify the original sender. However, the police alleged that she might have sent all the texts. Kendra explained that she had become consumed by the matter and felt as though she was in a different state of mind while sending them. When asked about the messages urging her daughter to harm herself, she acknowledged writing them but insisted she never believed Lauryn would act on them.
Kendra Licari is Under Supervised Released Today
In December 2022, Kendra Licari faced two counts of stalking a minor involving her own daughter and Owen McKenney. Parents of children connected to the case, many of whom were questioned by police, saw the situation as the ultimate betrayal. They were shocked at the nature of the words she had directed toward not only others but also her own daughter. By April 2023, Kendra received a sentence of 19 months to five years in prison. During her incarceration, she remained in contact with Lauryn and spoke with her twice a week. She has expressed hope of rebuilding her relationship with Lauryn, even though Shawn Licari has reportedly severed all ties with her.
In the documentary, Kendra spoke publicly for the first time and alleged she had been sexually assaulted as a child. She claimed that watching her daughter grow up had made her fearful for her safety and well-being. She insisted that whatever she had done was an attempt to protect her daughter. While acknowledging she may appear unhealed to others, she maintained she expects her daughter back. Shawn, however, has alleged that she hid significant financial matters from him, which she denies. In August 2024, Kendra was released on supervised parole under conditions requiring her to remain in Michigan, attend an approved mental health treatment program, and meet many other criteria. She remains under supervision until August 2026.
Read More: Khloe Wilson: Where is the Beal City High School Student Now?
