Case #1: The Mary Ellen Wilson Files

In 1874, the harrowing case of nine-year-old Mary Ellen Wilson in New York unveiled the shocking reality of child abuse and sparked a movement for the humane treatment of children. This audiobook delves into her life and the events surrounding her case, featuring a wealth of primary sources such as court testimonies, newspaper coverage, and family letters. Through the intervention of ASPCA founder Henry Bergh and attorney Elbridge T. Gerry, this pivotal case led to the establishment of the first child protection agency, forever altering the landscape for abused and neglected children.