Mia Smith is the name of a fictional character in the Lifetime movie “Girl in the Closet”, which is based on a true story of child abuse and captivity. The movie follows the ordeal of Cameron, a 10-year-old girl who is adopted by her aunt Mia after her mother Patricia suffers an aneurysm. However, Cameron soon discovers that Mia and her family are hiding a dark secret: they have several people chained in their basement, whom they exploit for their social security checks. When Cameron tries to escape, Mia locks her in a closet for 10 years, where she is subjected to physical and psychological torture.
Who is Mia Smith Based on?
Mia Smith is loosely based on Barbara Atkinson, the biological mother of Lauren Kavanaugh, who was dubbed as “The Girl in the Closet” by the media. Lauren was born in Texas in 1993 and was given up for adoption by Barbara to Sabrina and Bill Kavanaugh. However, when Lauren was 8 months old, Barbara changed her mind and regained custody of her, along with her husband Kenneth Atkinson.
Barbara and Kenneth then proceeded to abuse and neglect Lauren for six years, keeping her in a 4-by-9-foot closet with no light, ventilation, or sanitation. Lauren was starved, beaten, raped, and burned by her parents and their friends. She was also forced to watch pornographic videos and perform sexual acts on other children. She weighed only 25.6 pounds and had the mental capacity of a 2-year-old when she was rescued by the police in 2001.
How Was Mia Smith Exposed?
Mia Smith was exposed by Patricia, Cameron’s biological mother, who recovered from her aneurysm and started looking for her daughter. Patricia learned that Mia had moved to another state with Cameron and her family, and hired a private investigator to track them down. She also contacted the police and the social services to report Mia’s crimes.
The authorities raided Mia’s house and found Cameron locked in a closet, along with four other captives in the basement. They were all malnourished, injured, and traumatized. Mia and her husband were arrested and charged with multiple counts of kidnapping, assault, fraud, and child endangerment. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
What Happened to Cameron After Her Rescue?
Cameron was taken to a hospital, where she received medical treatment and psychological counseling. She was reunited with Patricia, who apologized for giving her up for adoption and vowed to take care of her. Cameron also met her biological father, who had been unaware of her existence until then.
Cameron faced many challenges in adjusting to a normal life after her captivity. She had to learn basic skills such as reading, writing, and socializing. She also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and flashbacks. She underwent several therapies and medications to cope with her trauma.
Cameron eventually managed to overcome her past and pursue her dreams. She graduated from high school and enrolled in college, where she studied psychology. She also became an advocate for child abuse prevention and awareness. She wrote a book about her experience called “The Girl Who Escaped the Closet”, which became a bestseller. She also married a man who loved and supported her.
Cameron said that she forgave Mia for what she did to her, but she did not want to have any contact with her. She said that she wanted to focus on the positive aspects of her life and help others who went through similar situations.
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