An American Crime is based off the true story of Sylvia Likens, starring Catherine Keener and Elliot Page.  In 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens  and her sister were  sent to the home of a family friend, Gertrude Baniszewski, while her parents were traveling. The father offered Gertrude $20/week to care for his daughters, but when one payment was late that's when all hell broke loose. Sylvia Likens never made it out alive.