September 04, 2019 at 09:22PM
Identity Theft of a Cheerleader, a new Lifetime true story movie, is loosely based on or inspired by pom-pom mom Wendy Brown, also known as the Green Bay, Wisconsin cheerleading mom who stole her teenage daughter's identity. Identity Theft of a Cheerleader is directed by Christie Will Wolf and written by Barbara Kymlicka, starring Gail O'Grady as Angie Patterson, Maiara Walsh as Vicky Patterson, Karis Cameron as Heather, Jesse Irving as Liam Fleming, and Naika Toussaint as Maddy.
Identity Theft of a Cheerleader Lifetime Movie Reviews-Synopsis
Thirteen years after dropping out of high school, Vicky, now age 31, is at rock bottom. She's had no success in life, and her emotionally abusive mother's voice still rings in her head. Desperate for a better life, Vicky steals the identity of her daughter, enrolls in a local high school, and becomes a popular cheerleader, no matter who she has to step on to get there.
[Identity Theft of a Cheerleader: The real woman, Wendy Brown, was mentally ill. Image courtesy of Zimbio & Elaine's Three Cents Typepad]
2019 Lifetime Movies: What True Story Is Identity Theft of a Cheerleader Based On?
Take a look at the Ashwaubenon High School cheerleader mom scandal that began in the summer of 2008. That's when Wisconsin authorities say 33-year-old Wendy Brown stole her daughter's identity and began going to practice for her spot on the cheerleading squad.
In high school, she longed to be popular and pretty like her female classmates. Unfortunately, Wendy Brown lacked the talent and the stable emotions needed to make it as a cheerleader. As a teen, she spent hours in her bedroom dreaming of what it'd be like to hold pom-poms in her hand and chant cheers that would send teammates and classmates into a frenzy.
By her thirties, Wendy Brown had lived a chaotic life filled with many disappointments. She wasn't able to hold down a job, she couldn't keep her emotions in balance, and she could no longer parent her children. The daughter, whose identity she stole, was living with her grandmother in Nevada. The real teen had no idea her mother had stolen her identity.
No one understands how she got away with it for even a minute. But Wendy Brown tried out for cheerleader and got an invitation to the high school cheerleading coach's home for a pool party. There, she ate and acted just like a teen, according to an in-depth article by The Atlantic.
When the first day of school rolled around, Wendy Brown packed her backpack, took her books from her locker, and walked down the corridors, ready to relive her teen years again. Of course, it didn't work. School officials became immediately suspicious and launched an investigation. One high school employee told police the following, according to the New York Daily News.
"The woman() seemed very timid [and] told her she was not good in math and even cried.() Although she looked older than a student, [the school employee] said she believed her demeanor was consistent with that of a high school girl."
What made Wendy Brown Pose As A Cheerleader And Her Daughter?
According to her criminal defender, Wendy Brown suffered from mental illness and had a long history of identity theft. After uncovering her secret, police investigators arrested Wendy Brown for forgery and felony identity theft.
A 33-year-old woman stole her daughter's identity to attend high school and join the cheerleading squad, according to a…
Posted by Mitch Summer on Monday, July 22, 2013
Here are a few more facts about the real story
- Wendy Brown's daughter was 15-years-old and attending Pahrump Valley High School Nevada.
- Students at Ashwaubenon High noticed Wendy Brown looked a lot older but didn't question it.
- Her husband knew his wife was going to school. However, he thought she was doing research.
- In December of 2008, Wendy Brown told the truth and pleaded guilty by reason of insanity.
- She was found not guilty of her crimes by reason of mental disease or defect and ordered to remain at a mental health facility for three years.
- During her time at the facility, Wendy Brown studied for the GED and passed the test. Sadly, she also received a breast cancer diagnosis.
- In 2013, she was released from the mental health facility and was finally able to walk across the stage in her cap and gown at a college GED ceremony to receive her diploma.
Watch Identity Theft of a Cheerleader on Saturday, September 7 at 8/7 p.m. Central on Lifetime. Do you like new Lifetime movies and are you a member of the Lifetime Movie Club? Take a look at our Lifetime movies list and subscribe to TV Crime Sky's YouTube.
[Main image Lifetime Television/with permission]
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Identity Theft of a Cheerleader, a new Lifetime true story movie, is loosely based on or inspired by pom-pom mom Wendy Brown, also known as the Green Bay, Wisconsin cheerleading mom who stole her teenage daughter's identity. Identity Theft of a Cheerleader is directed by Christie Will Wolf and written by Barbara Kymlicka, starring Gail O'Grady as Angie Patterson, Maiara Walsh as Vicky Patterson, Karis Cameron as Heather, Jesse Irving as Liam Fleming, and Naika Toussaint as Maddy.
Identity Theft of a Cheerleader Lifetime Movie Reviews-Synopsis
Thirteen years after dropping out of high school, Vicky, now age 31, is at rock bottom. She's had no success in life, and her emotionally abusive mother's voice still rings in her head. Desperate for a better life, Vicky steals the identity of her daughter, enrolls in a local high school, and becomes a popular cheerleader, no matter who she has to step on to get there.
[Identity Theft of a Cheerleader: The real woman, Wendy Brown, was mentally ill. Image courtesy of Zimbio & Elaine's Three Cents Typepad]
2019 Lifetime Movies: What True Story Is Identity Theft of a Cheerleader Based On?
Take a look at the Ashwaubenon High School cheerleader mom scandal that began in the summer of 2008. That's when Wisconsin authorities say 33-year-old Wendy Brown stole her daughter's identity and began going to practice for her spot on the cheerleading squad.
In high school, she longed to be popular and pretty like her female classmates. Unfortunately, Wendy Brown lacked the talent and the stable emotions needed to make it as a cheerleader. As a teen, she spent hours in her bedroom dreaming of what it'd be like to hold pom-poms in her hand and chant cheers that would send teammates and classmates into a frenzy.
By her thirties, Wendy Brown had lived a chaotic life filled with many disappointments. She wasn't able to hold down a job, she couldn't keep her emotions in balance, and she could no longer parent her children. The daughter, whose identity she stole, was living with her grandmother in Nevada. The real teen had no idea her mother had stolen her identity.
No one understands how she got away with it for even a minute. But Wendy Brown tried out for cheerleader and got an invitation to the high school cheerleading coach's home for a pool party. There, she ate and acted just like a teen, according to an in-depth article by The Atlantic.
When the first day of school rolled around, Wendy Brown packed her backpack, took her books from her locker, and walked down the corridors, ready to relive her teen years again. Of course, it didn't work. School officials became immediately suspicious and launched an investigation. One high school employee told police the following, according to the New York Daily News.
"The woman() seemed very timid [and] told her she was not good in math and even cried.() Although she looked older than a student, [the school employee] said she believed her demeanor was consistent with that of a high school girl."
What made Wendy Brown Pose As A Cheerleader And Her Daughter?
According to her criminal defender, Wendy Brown suffered from mental illness and had a long history of identity theft. After uncovering her secret, police investigators arrested Wendy Brown for forgery and felony identity theft.
A 33-year-old woman stole her daughter's identity to attend high school and join the cheerleading squad, according to a…
Posted by Mitch Summer on Monday, July 22, 2013
Here are a few more facts about the real story
- Wendy Brown's daughter was 15-years-old and attending Pahrump Valley High School Nevada.
- Students at Ashwaubenon High noticed Wendy Brown looked a lot older but didn't question it.
- Her husband knew his wife was going to school. However, he thought she was doing research.
- In December of 2008, Wendy Brown told the truth and pleaded guilty by reason of insanity.
- She was found not guilty of her crimes by reason of mental disease or defect and ordered to remain at a mental health facility for three years.
- During her time at the facility, Wendy Brown studied for the GED and passed the test. Sadly, she also received a breast cancer diagnosis.
- In 2013, she was released from the mental health facility and was finally able to walk across the stage in her cap and gown at a college GED ceremony to receive her diploma.
Watch Identity Theft of a Cheerleader on Saturday, September 7 at 8/7 p.m. Central on Lifetime. Do you like new Lifetime movies and are you a member of the Lifetime Movie Club? Take a look at our Lifetime movies list and subscribe to TV Crime Sky's YouTube.
[Main image Lifetime Television/with permission]
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