Netflix’s 2025 true crime documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has shocked audiences worldwide. Directed by Skye Borgman, the film uncovers the chilling case of Kendra Licari, a Michigan mother who secretly stalked her own daughter for over a year.

The case began in October 2020, when 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend Owen started receiving disturbing text messages from an unknown number. After a short break, the messages resumed in September 2021. They soon escalated into daily threats and cruel insults that lasted for 15 months. The most disturbing detail? The texts contained private information that only someone close to Lauryn could have known.

The Investigation and Stunning Reveal

Concerned parents and Beal City school officials contacted law enforcement when the harassment would not stop. At first, investigators suspected Lauryn’s classmates. This caused rifts in friendships and tension throughout the small community.

Eventually, Isabella County Sheriff Mike Main and officer Bradley Peter, who worked closely with the FBI, traced the messages back to Kendra Licari herself. Police bodycam footage captured the heartbreaking moment Lauryn learned that her own mother was behind the texts. The scene is one of the most shocking parts of the Netflix documentary.

Where is Kendra Licari Now?

In December 2022, Kendra was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including stalking and using a computer to commit a felony. She later pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor. In early 2023, she was sentenced to 19 months to 5 years in prison.

Kendra was released on August 8, 2024, after serving less than two years. At the time of filming Unknown Number, she expressed a desire to repair her relationship with her daughter Lauryn. However, experts and the documentary’s director note that their bond may never fully recover.

Why Did Kendra Harass Her Own Daughter?

One of the central questions of the documentary is why Kendra would torment her own child. In interviews, she explained that her behavior was linked to her own traumatic experiences as a teenager. She admitted she struggled with watching her daughter grow up and claimed she wanted to “keep Lauryn close.”

Some experts compared her actions to a digital form of Munchausen syndrome by proxy — where a caregiver harms someone in order to remain needed. However, director Skye Borgman cautions against labeling it a medical diagnosis, saying the behavior was complex and rooted in Kendra’s personal struggles.

The Impact on Lauryn

Lauryn is the heart of this story. Before the truth came out, she endured months of emotional abuse and constant suspicion. At first, she simply wanted her mother back in her life. But as time passed, her perspective shifted.

Now 18, Lauryn is beginning a new chapter. She is more cautious in her relationship with her mother and is learning to take control of her own life. The documentary also highlights her growing bond with her father, Shawn, which has become a positive outcome from such a painful situation.

Lessons for Families

The film also focuses on Lauryn’s friends, many of whom faced false accusations during the investigation. Students like Khloe Wilson share how being blamed affected their school lives and friendships.

Director Borgman hopes the documentary sparks conversations about cyberbullying, technology, and trust. She urges parents to listen to their children and understand the dangers that teens face online every day.

FAQs About Kendra Licari and Unknown Number

1. Who is Kendra Licari?
Kendra Licari is a Michigan mother convicted of cyberstalking her own teenage daughter. Her case is the focus of Netflix’s 2025 documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.

2. Where is Kendra Licari now?
Kendra was sentenced to 19 months to 5 years in prison in 2023 but was released in August 2024. She is no longer in custody.

3. Why did Kendra harass her daughter?
Kendra linked her actions to her own childhood trauma. She admitted she wanted to control and keep her daughter close, though experts say her motives remain complex.

4. How did the police catch Kendra Licari?
Investigators used digital evidence to trace the anonymous texts back to Kendra’s devices. Police bodycam footage captured the moment her daughter learned the truth.

5. What happened to Lauryn Licari?
Lauryn, now 18, is focusing on her future while carefully deciding how much contact she wants with her mother. She has also grown closer to her father, Shawn.

6. Did Lauryn and Owen stay together?
No. Lauryn and her boyfriend Owen broke up before the case was solved. They are no longer in contact.

7. What was the role of the FBI?
The FBI supported local police in analyzing digital evidence, which eventually led to Kendra being exposed as the sender of the harassing texts.

8. Who directed Unknown Number?
The documentary was directed by Skye Borgman, known for other Netflix true crime films such as Girl in the Picture.

9. What is the main lesson from this case?
The documentary highlights the importance of trust between parents and children, the dangers of cyberbullying, and the need for open conversations about online safety.