In a case that has left even seasoned investigators stunned, a Michigan teenager who endured more than a year of cruel online harassment found out the cyberbully was none other than her own mother.

The disturbing saga unfolded in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, where 42-year-old Kendra Licari sent her daughter and the boy she was dating a relentless barrage of anonymous online abuse. Over 349 pages of vile messages poured in—crafted behind layers of VPNs and fake accounts to conceal the sender’s identity.

What made the case even more chilling was that Licari initially helped her daughter report the harassment to authorities, even involving school officials and expressing outrage. But as the investigation deepened and the FBI was brought in, the digital trail led back to Licari herself.

Kendra Licari, 42, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2022, in Michigan for cyberbullying.
Isabella County Jail

According to NBC News and CBS Detroit, the messages began in 2021 and spanned multiple platforms, riddled with manipulation, intimidation, and psychological torment. Investigators revealed that Licari meticulously tried to cover her tracks using sophisticated tech tools and tactics, making it seem like the attacks were coming from classmates or outsiders.

Eventually, the FBI’s cyber division traced the IP addresses back to Licari. When confronted, she confessed.

Licari has now pleaded guilty to computer crimes and faces up to 10 years in prison. Her sentencing is pending.

“This case is a chilling example of digital betrayal,” said one investigator. “It’s one thing to be harassed online. It’s another to learn the person behind it is someone meant to protect you.”

As the story continues to unfold, it raises unsettling questions about trust, mental health, and the misuse of technology. In an era where online anonymity can enable cruelty, this case is a gut-wrenching reminder that danger doesn’t always come from strangers—it can come from within the home.

🚨 UPDATE: She’s been sentenced.

The Michigan mother who cyberbullied her daughter for over a year has officially been sentenced.
Kendra Licari will serve 19 months to 5 years in prison for stalking minors, including her child.

She pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was sentenced just a few weeks later. The case shocked the country, not just for the deception, but for the profound impact it had on a family.

Photo: Kendra Licari, 42, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2022, in Michigan for cyberbullying.

Isabella County Jail