
Family Sins is a made-for-television movie released in 2004. It is based on the true story of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island woman convicted of several counts of arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, racketeering, and fraud. The movie depicts the dark and lurid details of Burt's cruelty towards her foster children, including beatings, forcing them to shoplift, and withholding food. The plot centres around one foster daughter's escape and her subsequent efforts to expose the abuse she endured, ultimately leading to numerous criminal charges against Frances Burt and her family.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of movie | Family Sins |
Year of release | 2004 |
Based on true story of | Frances Burt |
Location | Rhode Island |
Number of children | 11 |
Convicted in | 1994 |
Number of counts | 24 |
Types of crimes | Arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, racketeering, welfare and disability fraud |
What You'll Learn
Frances Burt, a mother of 11, convicted of 24 crimes
Frances Burt, a mother of 11, was convicted of 24 crimes, including kidnapping, extortion, arson, sexual assault, racketeering, welfare fraud, and disability fraud. She was a foster mother in Rhode Island who abused her children, beat them, and forced them to shoplift for her.
Burt was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 11 years to serve and 19 years suspended. She was released in June 2001 and is currently serving 19 years of probation.
The story of Frances Burt inspired the CBS movie "Family Sins," in which she was portrayed by Kirstie Alley. The movie depicts Burt as a New Hampshire housewife who presents herself as a generous, church-going, upright citizen, while in reality, she is the head of a crime family. Alley's performance captures the dark humour inherent in both the broad strokes and little details of the character.
The movie also explores the impact of Burt's actions on her victims, including a former tenant who she kept locked in her basement for 18 years and her daughter, who was raised by Burt and subjected to abuse. The film highlights the most appalling abuse imaginable, including beatings with electrical cords, forcing children to shoplift, and withholding food for minor infractions.
The true story of Frances Burt is a shocking example of cruelty and manipulation, and the movie "Family Sins" offers a glimpse into the horrors endured by her victims.
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Brenda Geck, a PTA mom and crime boss
Brenda's misdeeds are slowly revealed throughout the movie, including instructing her children and foster children in shoplifting and fraud, burglarizing her tenants' apartments, and setting them on fire. She also keeps a former tenant, Nadine, locked up in her basement for 18 years and tortures her sons-in-law. Brenda's husband, Ken, is portrayed as a brute who molests Nadine and her daughter, Marie.
The movie "Family Sins" is described as a "suburban gothic horror story" that is "pure 1980s: dark, lurid, pouffy, and oversized." It is noted for its salacious plot and the solid performances of its cast, particularly Kirstie Alley as Brenda Geck and Kathleen Wilhoite as Nadine Devereaux. The film is also praised for its creative camerawork and editing, with flashbacks given a different tone depending on the age and demeanor of the narrator.
While the movie takes some creative liberties, it is based on the true story of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island woman who abused her foster children. The real-life scandal includes beatings with electrical cords, forcing children to shoplift, and withholding food. The movie, however, does not delve deeply into the psychological motivations behind Geck's actions, only alluding to financial gain as a possible motive.
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Marie Devereaux, a foster child who escapes
"Family Sins" is a made-for-TV movie based on the true story of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island mother of 11 who was convicted in 1994 on 24 counts of various charges, including arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, racketeering, and fraud. The movie fictionalises Burt as Brenda Geck, a New Hampshire housewife and pillar of her community who leads a life of crime.
Marie Devereaux, played by Deanna Milligan, is the daughter of Nadine Devereaux (Kathleen Wilhoite), a former tenant of the Gecks who was kept locked in their basement for 18 years. Nadine signs over custody of her daughter to Brenda in exchange for food. Marie is raised by the Gecks, who teach her to lie to social workers and steal from department stores. She is also sexually abused by both Kenneth Geck (Kevin McNulty) and his son, Joey (David Richmond-Peck).
Marie eventually escapes the Gecks with her son and goes to the police, but they, along with child services and the Justice Department, do not believe her. However, when she manages to attract the interest of a local newsman, the story changes. The district attorney, Phillip Rothman (Will Patton), takes up her case, and Marie is able to bring the Gecks to court.
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Philip Rothman, a prosecutor who builds a case
Philip Rothman, played by Will Patton, is a prosecutor who builds a case against the Geck family. In the movie, he is depicted as soft-spoken but powerful in his pursuit of justice for the victims of the Geck family's crimes.
Philip Rothman's character is based on the real-life story of a prosecutor who took on the case of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island mother convicted of multiple crimes, including arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, and fraud. Frances Burt's story inspired the movie "Family Sins," with the character Brenda Geck portraying her.
In the movie, Marie Devereaux, played by Deanna Milligan, escapes from the Geck family's captivity and seeks help from the media. This prompts Philip Rothman to take action and build a case against the Gecks, leading to their arrest and conviction.
The real-life prosecutor's name is not mentioned in the sources, but Philip Rothman's character in the movie represents the pursuit of justice and the exposure of the Geck family's heinous crimes. The case sheds light on the dark and lurid details of the Gecks' abuse, including beatings, insurance fraud, arson, and mental abuse.
The movie "Family Sins" highlights the impact of a criminal justice system that ultimately worked to bring the Gecks to justice. Philip Rothman's character embodies the power of the law in holding perpetrators accountable and seeking justice for the victims.
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The Geck family, pillars of the community
The Gecks were a model family, upstanding members of their community. Brenda Geck was a PTA mom, friend of the mayor and the local clergy, and a prominent figure in her neighbourhood. Her husband, Kenneth Geck, was likely well-regarded too, though sources do not elaborate on his reputation. Together, they presented as a respectable, charitable couple, taking in foster children and contributing to political campaigns. However, this image was a facade, and the Gecks were hiding dark secrets within the walls of their home.
Brenda Geck was a cruel and manipulative woman who abused her biological and foster children, forcing them to steal and committing fraud. She was also a criminal, responsible for numerous arsons and extortions. Her husband, Kenneth, was a molester. Their son, Joey, was complicit in the abuse, and their other children and foster children were victims. The Gecks' crimes were enabled by their standing in the community and the image they had crafted for themselves. They were able to get away with their abuse and manipulation for years, with the authorities failing to act or believe the victims.
The Gecks' respectable image was shattered when one of their victims, Marie Devereaux, escaped and went to the media. Marie's story resulted in the filing of numerous criminal charges against the Geck family. The truth about the Gecks shocked the community, as it became clear that the seemingly perfect family was, in fact, a criminal enterprise. The Gecks' trial and conviction brought justice for their victims and exposed the dark underbelly of a supposedly idyllic suburban community.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Family Sins is based on the true story of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island woman convicted of several counts of arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, racketeering, and fraud.
Family Sins is based on the story of Frances Burt, a mother of 11, convicted of 24 counts of various crimes, including arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, racketeering, and fraud.
Kirstie Alley played Frances Burt, who was fictionalised as Brenda Geck in the movie.
A book has been written on the family by a relative, which covers the "arsons, rapes, abuse, and many many many more things the public was never told".