After the Christmas season, Kerry King, 39, discovered bruises on her daughter’s legs during a bath. The young girl revealed that her mother’s boyfriend had been mistreating her. Kerry, aware of her partner John Purdy’s violent tendencies, confronted him about the bruises but was met with excuses. However, a few days later, Purdy viciously attacked Lilah, prompting the police to implicate Kerry for not adequately safeguarding her child.
One night in January 2015, Kerry woke up to find Purdy strangling her daughter in their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Despite her efforts to intervene, Purdy continued his assault, even coercing Kerry to assist in the abuse. Fearing for her life and having been a victim of Purdy’s violence herself, Kerry endured the harrowing ordeal.
As the abuse persisted, Kerry managed to send a distress message to her mother for help. Purdy, realizing this, retaliated by physically assaulting Kerry. The next day, Lilah’s injuries were exposed when Kerry’s housemate contacted the authorities, leading to medical intervention for the traumatized child.
Purdy received an 18-year prison sentence, while Kerry faced severe legal repercussions for her perceived negligence in protecting Lilah. Despite her claims of fear and victimization, Kerry was sentenced to 30 years in prison, running concurrently, and remains incarcerated.
Lilah, who still visits her mother monthly in prison, expressed her longing for her mother’s presence, emphasizing the limitations of building memories through phone interactions. Her poignant words reflect the ongoing emotional impact of the tragic events.
For confidential assistance, contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.