A Boy's Life

Robert, a Mississippi 7 year old being raised by his grandmother, is victimized by his grandmother's Munchhausen by Proxy disorder- she attributes all manner of disturbed behavior to him and has him falsely medicated for psychiatric disorders that he doesn't have. His 20 year old mother struggles to regain custody of Robert and his younger sibling, Benjamin, both of whom were conceived when she was underage.

A chilling portrait of emotional and psychological child abuse. Rory Kennedy's film is terrific.

Watching this documentary a few days ago, I was absolutely appalled and horrified by the behavior of the grandmother toward her 7-year old grandson, Robert. Robert was conceived out of wedlock to an underaged woman and gave her son (and later his little brother conceived while the mother was still underage and still out of wedlock) over to the custody of his half-witted, insane grandmother. The old saying "sticks and stones . . . . " is totally wrong when compared to mental abuse. This documentary should be required viewing for anyone thinking of having children or adopting children. It will show you how NOT to raise a child. I would like to see an update on Robert's progress.

There is nothing worse than out of control adults attempting to "raise" a child. The child always ends up the victim. The grandmother is particularly disturbed and disturbing!!! She is an emotional and psychological psychopath with an obvious narcissistic personality disorder! I swear to God, I wanted to reach into the television set and slap her for her abusive and destructive behavior. As I was watching this documentary, I admit that I really did not care about her or her life as she was very very ill and needed to STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOY. I really hope this kid GETS OUT OF THIS SITUATION, pursues his education (the biggest saving grace this child has to survive and ultimately thrive) and LEAVES THE TOWN. Lest I seem unfeeling, I do understand that grinding poverty can lead to many devastating choices, but honestly, the one main route out: EDUCATION (and yes, you can get out even with a "public school" education). Thank God for the teacher who provided this young boy with one positive adult role model.

by proxy is what should have been diagnosed if the grandmother had ever been taken to a competent psychiatrist.

This documentary is effective on many disturbing levels. Initially it seems Robanna is simply unwilling to care for her children, she is young, destitute. The conditions they live in in rural Mississippi are truly sad. Her mother "Memaw", cares for the children but has a particular obsession with the seven year old, Robert.

As the story develops, we see the conditions, and also the educator at Europa Elementary, concerned and upset for Roberts situation. He is a good student at school, but according to his grandmother, kills dogs and cats, and is an unmanageable raging child at home. We see how the system cannot in some cases help children in emotional danger, only actual physical danger.

The grandmother appears narcissistic, and becomes angry with her daughters nurse (Robanna has several medical issues, obesity, thyroid, etc.). Toward the latter part of the documentary, the grandmother is badly bruised with blood clots from supposedly having been kicked by Robert.

She is taken to the ER where she blames Robert. Eventually it is evident that the story was fabricated.

Fortunately, the children are returned to the custody of their natural mother, Robanna. The grandmother is now apparently confined to an institution for her psychological issues. Sad that Roberts life was not protected earlier, but Robanna had neither financial resources or education to get her mother to a psychiatrist. A sad commentary on real issues of poverty in America today. 9/10.

I watched this documentary twice. I cannot believe the Grandmother's behavior. I couldn't decide whether she was the one with the mental problems or if she was just a control freak. A little of both, I guess.

My compassion for this child brought me to tears. I cannot believe that an adult could be so emotionally abusive. Unfortunately, I was raised by the same kind of mother and I know how it feels. I have no sympathy for a grown woman who, in my opinion, beats herself about the legs and blames a 7 year old. Her daughter has obviously been just as emotionally abused and I hope gets help for herself.

Please update us on how Robert and his brother are doing. I pray that things have turned for the better.