Warning: this article contains spoilers for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Last Friday (29 August), a new documentary detailing a real-life cyberbullying incident that shook the small community of Beal City, Michigan, was finally released on Netflix.

In October 2020, 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend Owen began receiving suspicious text messages from an unknown number. After a break, these unsettling messages resumed in September 2021.

The situation quickly escalated into a daily barrage of threats and vile insults over the next 15 months. These disturbing messages contained details that only someone close to Lauryn could know, prompting concerned parents and school officials to seek assistance from law enforcement.

What happened to Lauryn Licari?

An investigation led by Isabella County Sheriff Mike Main initially focused on Lauryn and Owen’s classmates and friends, casting doubt throughout their school and straining relationships.

However, when those efforts reached an impasse, police officer Bradley Peter acted as a liaison to the FBI, ultimately revealing that the perpetrator was her own 'obsessed' mother, Kendra Licari.

An update has now been provided on the current relationship between Lauryn, now 18, and her mother, Kendra.

Lauryn and her then-boyfriend, Owen, began receiving hateful text messages from an unknown sender in 2020 (Netflix)

Where is Kendra Licari now?

In December 2022, Kendra was arrested and faced multiple charges of stalking and using a computer to commit a crime. She pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and was sentenced to 19 months to 5 years in prison. She has since been released from prison on August 8, 2024.

At the conclusion of filming Unknown Number, Kendra expressed a desire to remain a part of her daughter’s life.

Netflix users may know that Kendra actually took part in the documentary, with director Skye Borgman stating to Tudum: "She’s remorseful for significantly impacting her relationship with her daughter, likely in a negative manner.

"Will they have a relationship? Will they overcome this? I don’t know. There will likely be some form of relationship. Will it be the same? Absolutely not. It can never be the same."

Following her mother’s initial sentencing, Lauryn expressed love for her and a desire to have her back in her life. However, a year later during the filming of the documentary, Borgman noted that the teenager wanted to 'approach the relationship with more caution'.

“She’s engaged in a lot of critical thinking, especially between that time and now … These years are pivotal for young people,” he said. “Everyone else might hate Kendra. I don’t think Lauryn can, right? It’s your mom. I mean, how do you navigate that? It’s really uncharted waters.”

Kendra was sentenced to 19 months to five years behind bars, before being released on 8 August 2024 (Isabella County Jail)

Why did Kendra Licari do it?

Discussing the motives behind Kendra’s actions over the years, Borgman continued: "I’m not sure she fully understands why she did it."

"She does mention in the documentary an assault that occurred [to her] when she was about Lauryn’s age," the director added. "She describes how frightening it was to witness her only child, her little girl, growing up, which is what she relates to and believes led her to sending these text messages in an effort to keep Lauryn close."

Meanwhile, Isabella County prosecutor David Barberi suspects that Kendra's behavior may resemble a form of cyber Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy, also known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA), is a mental disorder and form of child abuse where the caretaker, often a mother, exaggerates or induces illness symptoms in the child.

However, in this instance, it was different as it involved cyberbullying rather than illness-related issues, and as far as is known, Kendra hasn’t been officially diagnosed.

"Attributing any medical foundation to it is somewhat problematic. … But I think elements of Munchausen by proxy—inflicting harm to maintain closeness—were certainly present," Borgman added.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is currently available for streaming on Netflix.