In 1996, a young girl named Tanya Kach vanished from her hometown, leaving a desperate search in her wake. Ten agonizing years later, the truth emerged – Tanya had been held captive by a trusted figure, a security guard at her own middle school. This harrowing ordeal, one of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable trauma, is now the subject of the new Lifetime Channel movie: “The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story.”
Who is Tanya Koch from Lifetime’s ‘The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Koch Story?’
Tanya Koch is an American woman who, at the age of 14, had a horrific turn in life. A trusted figure, Thomas Hose, the security guard at her Pennsylvania middle school, groomed and manipulated her. A stolen kiss escalated into a nightmarish decade of captivity. Hose held Tanya prisoner, first isolating her in his second-story bedroom for four years, then creating a fabricated identity to control her movements for the next six.
Tanya’s strength and resilience finally shone through in 2006. She found a lifeline in a kind neighbor, Joe Sparico. With his help, she escaped the clutches of her captor. Though justice was served – Hose was sentenced to 15 years for his crimes – the road to healing has been long. While Tanya found love and built a family, the trauma of her stolen years remains a challenge. Shockingly, some family members hold her partly responsible for the ordeal.
This is the story of Tanya Kach, a survivor whose fight for freedom continues. Her story, explored in the new film “The Girl Locked Upstairs,” is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure even the darkest of times.
What does Tanya Koch has to say about the Lifetime movie?
When asked why she didn’t just run away, Kach explained, “It’s the brainwashing and the mind control. He trained me back then and gave me specific instructions on where to go, what to do, and when to come back.”
The documentary *The Girl Locked Upstairs*, produced by Elizabeth Smart—who herself was kidnapped and held captive at age 14—features Kach’s story. “We’ve talked, personally have talked. What a great survivor she is as well,” Kach said of Smart.
Supported by family and friends, Kach is determined to turn her past darkness into a beacon of hope for others. She emphasizes the suffering of many victims, including those who are not physically imprisoned but are subjected to mental, verbal, and sexual abuse, manipulation, and gaslighting.
“I don’t want this happening again. I don’t want this happening to another young girl. If I can prevent this from happening, I’m more than happy,” Kach said.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Koch Story?’
Jordan Ashley Olsen plays Tanya Kach, while Robert Baker will play the security guy Tom Hose. Other members of the cast include Dustin MacDougall, Vincent Ross, and Jordan Summer.
Where to Watch ‘The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Koch Story?’
The Lifetime Channel’s movie *The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story* premiered Saturday, June 8, at 8/7c. This true-crime drama recounts the harrowing tale of a 14-year-old girl kidnapped and held captive in a security guard’s home.
If you were unable to tune in or watch it for free with a Philo (free trial) or DirecTV Stream (free trial) subscription, then you can either stream it the next day on The Lifetime Channel here or Buy/Rent it on VOD.
Is there a trailer for the TV movie?
There is a trailer preview that’s not available online freely. You can head to the link mentioned above to see a sneak peak before you check the film out.
