Where Are ‘Unknown Number’ Subject Owen McKenny’s Parents Now?

Jill and Dave McKenny’s lives have been forever altered by the harrowing experience of their son Owen’s cyberbullying ordeal, as depicted in the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. The film recounts the distressing journey they faced beginning when Owen and his then-girlfriend, Lauryn Licari, were targeted with cruel and abusive messages, initially in October 2020, when Owen was just 13 years old.

A Descent into Cyberbullying

The McKenny family, living in Beal City, Michigan, enjoyed a close-knit community and an idyllic family life. However, everything changed when Owen and Lauryn began receiving harassing texts from anonymous numbers. Initially, the messaging was aggressive but tapered off. However, by September 2021, it escalated drastically, with daily messages that were vulgar and pointedly hurtful, targeting both Owen and Lauryn. The situation worsened after they parted ways, and the harassment took a more aggressive turn, particularly toward Lauryn.

Both Jill and Dave McKenny took immediate action upon recognizing the severity of the situation. They not only monitored Owen’s phone but also teamed up with Lauryn’s mother, Kendra Licari, to sift through the messages and attempt to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. This investigation brought the two families closer, as they shared a common goal: to protect their children.

The Betrayal

The involvement of Kendra Licari took a shocking turn when it was revealed that she was, in fact, the culprit behind the relentless cyberbullying. The McKennys and Licaris had initially sought help from local law enforcement and even the FBI, but it was a painful journey filled with misinformation and false leads. Jill stated in the documentary, "I initially couldn’t believe Kendra could do this," illustrating the shock and betrayal they felt.

In December 2022, Kendra was arrested, leading to her pleading guilty to two counts of stalking in 2023. She received a prison sentence ranging from 19 months to five years. Jill’s narrative in the documentary showcased her sense of profound betrayal by someone she once considered a close friend. "Just the disgust and the betrayal this woman we allowed into our lives and our house… you just can’t imagine what that felt like," she explained, revealing the emotional turmoil that followed the revelation.

Aftermath and Moving Forward

Now, Jill and Dave continue to navigate their lives in Michigan, focusing on family and moving past this traumatic chapter. Their daughter Macy remains a significant presence in their lives as they attend sporting events and spend time together. Owen graduated from Beal City High School in May 2025 and has committed to attending Hope College to pursue baseball, marking a new and hopeful chapter in his life.

Despite the closure brought by Kendra’s sentencing, the emotional scars remain. Jill openly discussed her feelings of guilt over the misjudgments made during the initial investigation regarding potential suspects, particularly implicating another classmate, Khloe Wilson. This spiral of suspicion and blame underscores the chaos that can unravel in the emotional wake of cyberbullying.

Current Relationships

Jill and Dave have distanced themselves from the Licari family since Kendra’s arrest, signaling a rupture that will likely not be mended anytime soon. Jill has voiced concerns regarding Kendra’s behavior prior to the arrest, suggesting an "obsession" that crossed inappropriate boundaries. "I think she became obsessed with Owen, which is hard being a mom and that she’s a grown woman… there was some level of relationship that she wanted to have with Owen that obviously is not acceptable at her age," Jill reflected. This assertion illuminates the complexities of adult relationships with minors and raises questions about the emotional boundaries that should exist in these contexts.

The Takeaway

The McKenny family’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the impact that cyberbullying can have on families and the community at large. Their case illustrates the importance of vigilance in safeguarding children against the often-unknowable dangers of the digital age. Cyberbullying, which can manifest with severe emotional and psychological consequences, was exacerbated in this situation not just by the anonymity typical of such harassment but also by the fact that the perpetrator was someone who was supposed to be a trusted adult.

As parents, Jill and Dave have become more aware of the risks digital communication poses, fostering an open dialogue with their children about online safety. Their commitment to addressing and working through the fallout from Owen’s experiences demonstrates a level of resilience that may inspire other families facing similar issues.

In the context of growing concerns over mental health and online safety, the McKenny family’s story stresses the need for community awareness and support systems that can help families navigate the complexities of modern interactions, both online and offline. The documentary serves as a foundational tool for understanding the multi-faceted nature of cyberbullying and underscores an urgent need for dialogue around mental health, relationships, and the responsibilities that come with digital communication.

As the McKenny family continues to work through the aftermath of such a traumatic ordeal, they remain a testament to the resilience of familial bonds and the importance of community support in the wake of disturbing events. Their story is not only a cautionary tale but also a call to action for safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of children faced with the increasingly complex landscape of digital interactions.

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