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On May 8, 2025, a teenage girl arrived at A Wawa convenience store in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. Her shaved head and scarred-up wrists clearly told a story that something was wrong. She wasn’t there to grab a snack or fill up a gas tank—her neighbor had driven her there to meet authorities. She was in desperation to escape a nightmare that, according to investigators, had lasted nearly seven long years. But in the moment she was hesitant to tell them everything. Her story would later reveal years of abuse and imprisonment—suffering inflicted by the very people who were supposed to love and protect her. Somehow, it all went unnoticed, hidden behind closed doors with no contact with the outside world. What makes this case even more disturbing is how it exposes the glaring gaps in how we monitor the safety and well-being of homeschooled children in America.Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or needs help, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org for resources and support.

By the time he was just 14 years old, Anthony Godby Johnson had already captured the hearts of celebrities, journalists, and readers across the country. His memoir, A Rock and a Hard Place: One Boy’s Triumphant Story, detailed an unthinkable past—years of abuse, abandonment, and a devastating AIDS diagnosis, which grabbed the hearts of so many! In this episode, we dive into the possible hoax that rocked the literary world. We will explore how AIDS awareness, child abuse, and internet-era deception collided—while challenging the ultimate question: who was really behind Anthony Godby Johnson?Thanks for supporting Crime Salad! Please subscribe to our show and tell a friend about your favorite salad...Do you follow us?! If not, please do!!Instagram: @crimesaladpodcastTikTok: @crimesaladpodcastFacebook: Crime Salad Podcast

In this special throwback episode, we revisit the haunting unsolved case of Amy Mihaljevic, the 10-year-old girl who was abducted from a Bay Village, Ohio shopping plaza in 1989 and later found murdered in a rural Ashland County field. We’ll take you through the chilling timeline, exploring the ongoing investigation, new DNA testing, and the relentless pursuit of answers that still grips investigators and true crime enthusiasts alike. With fresh updates and expert insights, we ask, will Amy’s killer finally be brought to justice? Despite the passage of 35 years, hope remains alive, and the truth is still waiting to be uncovered.Thanks fo supporting Crime Salad!!

Amy Diane Homan McGee did everything she could to escape the grip of abuse—seeking protection through the courts and local police. In a moment of “enough is enough,” she tried to build a life of safety and peace for herself and her children. But then, Amy’s life was taken by the very man she had fought so hard to get away from.This episode tells the story of Amy’s strength, her fight for protection, and the overlooked dangers that could have saved her life. It’s a reminder that leaving isn’t the end of the battle for many survivors—it’s often when the danger escalates most.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you are not alone. Help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline:📞 Call 1-800-799-7233💬 Text “START” to 88788💻 Or chat live at thehotline.orgYou deserve safety. You deserve to be heard.Things to check out:“Telling Amy’s Story” by Penn State Public Broadcasting: https://www.pbs.org/video/telling-amys-story-84oxa5/Key topics: Amy McGee case, domestic violence murder, State College Pennsylvania, intimate partner homicide, Telling Amy’s Story documentary, Vincent McGee, Deirdri Fishel, protective order failure, true crime domestic abuse, Mariska Hargitay, warning signs of abuse, emotional abuse, controlling partners, IPV statistics, victim advocacy, domestic violence resources.

Born on September 7, 2019, Journey—referred to as J.G. in legal documents—had a heartbreaking start to life in Tulare County, California. It didn’t take long for Tulare County Child Welfare Services (CWS) to begin receiving multiple reports concerning Journey’s safety and well-being.In the year leading up to Journey’s birth, his father became consumed by conspiracy theories and developed a dangerous plan to raise an entirely plant-based baby. Journey’s parents took their beliefs to an extreme, feeding their newborn a diet of blended bananas, dates, and honey—ignoring his basic nutritional needs for breast milk or infant formula.Despite repeated calls from Journey’s grandmother to Child Protective Services (CPS), no effective action was taken until it was tragically too late.Miraculously, Journey survived the severe neglect and abuse, but he now faces lifelong challenges as a result of the trauma he endured.Journey Tulare CountyJ.G. CPS caseTulare County child neglectPlant-based baby neglectChild Protective Services failureTulare County CPS lawsuitInfant neglect CaliforniaJourney child abuse survivorTulare County Child Welfare ServicesCPS failure CaliforniaChild nutrition neglectHoney dates baby dietChild abuse true crimeJourney survivor storyChild welfare reform California

In this episode, Ricky and I investigate the heartbreaking disappearance and tragic fate of Kei’Mani Latigue, a 13-year-old girl from Toledo, Ohio, whose story devastated her family and community. As new information and interviews with Kei’Mani’s loved ones emerge, we explore critical questions: Could earlier intervention have saved her? What role did suspected abuse and potential failures by child protective services play in the events leading up to her death?We trace the chilling timeline from March 17th, 2025—the day Kei’Mani vanished—uncovering the clues left behind and examining the actions of key individuals connected to her household. This episode challenges listeners to reflect on a deeper issue: Is reporting suspected abuse enough when the system doesn’t act?Keywords: Kei’Mani Latigue, Toledo, Ohio, missing teen, child abuse case, CPS failure, true crime podcast, March 2025, Ohio disappearance, vulnerable children, child safety, legal guardianship, investigative podcast

Natalia Grace was once described as a child straight out of a horror movie — a Ukrainian orphan accused of lying about her age, abandoned by her adoptive family, and cast into a storm of suspicion and media frenzy. But behind the headlines is a real child who endured abuse, neglect, and deep betrayal. In this episode, we look past the sensationalism to tell Natalia’s story.We explore how a vulnerable young girl became the subject of national speculation and what her case reveals about the systems that failed her.Content warning: This episode includes discussions of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Listener discretion is advised.

What really happened in Room 22 of Patty’s Lodge in the quiet town of Canandaigua, New York?When 24-year-old Sam Nordquist boarded a flight to meet someone he’d connected with online, he carried with him nothing but hope. Known by everyone who loved him as kind-hearted and genuine, Sam was looking forward to the possibility of something real — a new chapter in life and maybe even love.But what was waiting for him in New York was not what it seemed. What unfolded next would become the most painful and unjust chapter of his life — and a nightmare his family is still trying to understand.In this episode, we share Sam’s story: a young man led by trust and warmth, a family forever changed, and a search for truth that refuses to be silenced. This is a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and a community demanding justice.Justice for Sam Nordquist.Important links supporting this case: Justice for Sam Nordquist Gofundme: https://gofund.me/86190ffaThe National Domestic Violence Hotline is here to help. Connect with a trained advocate 24/7 for free, confidential support.*Please be careful when accessing the website — it has a quick exit feature, but it may still appear in your browser history. If you're concerned for your safety, consider calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting "START" to 88788 instead.🖥️ Chat online at thehotline.org 📞 Call 800.799.7233 📱 Text START to 88788Help is always available. You deserve to be safe.

On the night of February 17, 2025, a desperate 32-year-old man risked everything to escape the nightmare he had been trapped in for years. His prison? A locked room in an unassuming house in Waterbury, Connecticut—a place that had become his personal dungeon. Starved, abused, and neglected for years, he weighed a mere 68 pounds—less than the average 10-year-old child.With no way out and no hope left, he made a decision that could either free him or kill him—he set the house on fire. Using only a lighter, hand sanitizer, and paper, he ignited the flames that would determine his fate. His life-or-death gamble set off a terrifying race between the Waterbury Fire Department and the raging fire trapping him inside.When firefighters arrived at 8:40 PM, they fought to control the flames and rescue the man still inside. But when they finally entered the house, they found something even more horrifying than the fire—a skeletal, barely alive man, covered in filth, with rotting teeth and matted hair. He had survived not just the fire, but years of unimaginable cruelty at the hands of his captor—his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan.While Kimberly had managed to flee the burning house, her stepson had been left behind, just as he had been for years. But on this night, he finally escaped—not just the flames, but the horrors of his captivity.The fire had nearly killed him, but in the end, it was what saved his life.Get yourself a new Crime Salad Shirt or other merch at crimesalad.shop