Life Vs. Art: Is Lifetime's Girl In The Closet Based A True Story?

The movie "Girl In The Closet" and the real-life case of Lauren Kavanaugh are entirely distinct. In reality, it was eight-year-old Lauren who endured the harrowing ordeal of hiding in a closet, not ten-year-old Cameron, as the movie depicts. The story mistakenly portrays that Cameron would go through a similar experience when she moves in with her sinister aunt.

But the Girl In The Closet's true story is a much more harrowing tale...

Dubbed by the media as The Girl in The Closet, Lauren Kavanaugh was born to a birth mother, Barbara Atkinson, who had intended to put her daughter up for adoption. Once the adoption process was finalized, Lauren lived with her new family for eight months. However, Atkinson later attempted to regain custody of her daughter. The legal custody situation became complicated due to the adoptive parents failure to complete the necessary paperwork, resulting in Atkinson and her husband Kenneth ultimately gaining full custody of Lauren.

Lauren was forced to spend the first six years of her life confined in a closet, eating out of her own trash, and only emerging to suffer the physical and sexual abuse of her parents. Lauren's parents were both pedophiles, and when they weren't abusing her themselves, they gave her to other people who would. After receiving a tip that the Atkinson parents were abusing their daughter, the authorities decided to take action and interfere. 

When they discovered her at the age of 8, doctors determined that her growth had halted at the age of 2, a clear indication of severe malnutrition and abuse. In June 2001, Lauren was discovered and dubbed "the child in the closet," aptly describing her dire circumstances. While Lauren's story shares some striking similarities with "The Girl in the Closet," it's important to note that the Atkinson family didn't have anyone imprisoned in their home. However, they did have five other children who, to varying degrees, experienced neglect and abuse.

Bill and Sabrina Kavanaugh saved Lauren from her biological mother and stepfather. As a result, they were allowed to adopt her legally. However, although Lauren had finally graduated from high school and was no longer dependent on her parents in 2013, this did not mark the end of her ordeals. In 2018, when she was 25 years old, Lauren was arrested for sexually abusing a child who was 14 years old. 

Following a period of three years during which Lauren’s inability to defend herself in court due to her mental condition led to the dismissal of the case against her in 2011, there have been rumors circulating that Lauren has been granted her freedom. Lauren Kavanaugh now is currently living in Texas with the Kavanaugh family. 

Life sentences have been handed down to both Barbara and Kenneth Atkinson in this case.

Laura was a victim of horrific child abuse and neglect. Her mother and stepfather locked her in a closet for six years, where she endured unimaginable suffering. She was only 25 pounds when she was rescued at age eight. Her story inspired some aspects of a Lifetime movie in 2023, which was well-received by many.