If Netflix documentaries are known for anything, it’s their knack for jaw-dropping twists—and Unknown Number: The High School Catfish doesn’t disappoint. The story centers on Kendra Licari, who took cyberbullying to an unfathomable level in a small Michigan town by relentlessly harassing her own daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend with threatening, hateful messages for over a year.
5 Major Revelations About Kendra Licari in the Documentary
The Catfish Was Mom All Along
Viewers and law enforcement were floored when it was revealed that Kendra Licari, the mother of one of the targeted teens (Lauryn), was behind the barrage of anonymous, abusive messages. For months, both local police and the FBI chased dead ends among classmates, but digital forensics finally traced the messages back to Licari herself.
Disturbing Motives and “Cyber Munchausen’s Syndrome”
The documentary explores theories behind Licari’s baffling motives, including a form of “cyber Munchausen’s syndrome”—where she may have wanted to keep her daughter dependent and emotionally vulnerable. Prosecutors pointed out there was no rational explanation or financial gain, making the case uniquely psychological and cruel.
The Extent and Nature of the Abuse
Licari sent hundreds of messages over more than 15 months. These included threats, insults targeting looks and self-esteem, taunts about basketball performance, and sexual harassment—some messages even encouraged Lauryn to harm herself. The content was later described as “disturbing” and “hateful” by the judge.
How Kendra Licari Hid Her Tracks
Licari used VPNs and digital tricks to mask her location, outsmarting local law enforcement for months before FBI involvement led to her arrest. She initially denied involvement and tried to blame the teens, but eventually confessed after overwhelming evidence, including 349 pages of digital records.
Legal Outcome and Family Fallout
Licari pled guilty to two counts of stalking a minor in April 2023. She was sentenced to between 19 months and five years in prison and released on parole in August 2024, prohibited from any contact with her daughter. The documentary includes frank interviews with both Licari and Lauryn, highlighting the painful aftermath and ongoing consequences for the family.
Answers to Big Viewer Questions
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Kendra Licari’s motivations remain enigmatic, making her one of the most confounding true crime subjects Netflix has profiled.
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The abuse, which lasted more than a year, fundamentally changed Lauryn’s life and prompted an FBI probe when local resources were exhausted.
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Both mother and daughter appear in the documentary, with Licari admitting regret but remaining a polarizing figure.
With its shocking reveal and disturbing psychological insights, Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish makes the Kendra Licari story one of the most unforgettable—and unsettling—catfish cases ever documented.
