About this episode

Rasul T. Freelain discusses the tragic story of Sheila von Wiese Mack and the issue of child-to-parent violence.

Content warning: murder, parricide, matricide, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, child-to-parent violence and abuse, and false reporting. Rasul T. Freelain is an author and award-winning, retired veteran of the Oak Park Police Department in Illinois. Throughout his 20-year career, he served in roles including Youth Services Supervisor, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective. It was amidst his work with children and families that he recognized the concept of child-to-parent violence, nearly a decade prior to meeting Sheila von Wiese Mack. Over the span of years, Rasul would be a resource for Sheila as she struggled through an increasingly violent abuse cycle at the hands of her daughter, Heather. Prior to Sheila’s 2014 murder, Rasul tried to see Heather face accountability for the abuse in a system that didn’t require it. With his book, When Lambs Become Wolves, he is hoping to bring awareness to the pervasive issue of Child-to-Parent Violence and Abuse and offer Sheila a chance to share her narrative after her murder. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Sheila von Wiese Mack. If you believe you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency…

People in this episode

Guest: Rasul T. Freelain

Topics covered

• child-to-parent violence
• domestic violence
• murder
• abuse
• awareness
• personal narrative

Keywords

• child-to-parent violence
• domestic violence
• murder
• abuse
• awareness
• Sheila von Wiese Mack
• Rasul T. Freelain
• When Lambs Become Wolves

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oak Park Police Department, National Domestic Violence Hotline

Books & works: When Lambs Become Wolves

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