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Why Netflix’s ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’ Has Left Me With More Q…
They should have let me interview her.
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Kendra Licari Cyberbullying Case: Prosecutor Reveals Unanswered Motive and Documentary's Missing Emotional Depth
David Barberi, the prosecutor involved in the high-profile Kendra Licari cyberbullying case, recently offered his insights on the Netflix documentary, "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish." Barberi stated that while the documentary effectively portrayed the graphic nature of the text messages, it struggled to fully capture the profound emotional toll on all families affected by the prolonged harassment. Licari, a mother, was found to be the perpetrator behind the cyberbullying of her own daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. The case, which spanned over a year, involved a constant barrage of disturbing text messages. When questioned about Licari's motivation, Barberi admitted, "That's the million-dollar question. I don't think anybody ever really is going to know why she did this." He elaborated on a prevailing theory: "I think that the theory that we all have, that we lean on anyways, is that when this started to cause harm to her daughter, I think her daughter looked to her for comfort. And over the course of that relationship and this harassment, I think that she kind of fed on that." Barberi confirmed that Licari issued an apology in court and provided an explanation for her actions. However, he noted that this fell short for the families involved, who felt it did not adequately address the extensive harm she inflicted. The prosecutor's comments underscore the lingering complexities and emotional scars left by the case, even after its portrayal in a major documentary.
