Beth Thomas, a six-year-old girl with blonde hair and wide blue eyes, portrayed an innocent appearance that belied her disturbing lack of emotion and violent fantasies. In 1990, a documentary titled ‘Child of Rage’ unveiled her harrowing story as she was interviewed by a psychologist.

Beth’s early life was marred by unspeakable abuse, enduring severe sexual and physical trauma at the hands of her biological father at a very young age. By the time she and her younger brother, Jonathan, were rescued from his care, the psychological damage had already taken a deep toll.

The documentary captured Beth describing, with clinical detachment, disturbing acts of violence including harming her brother, sexually assaulting him, killing birds, and torturing pets. She even mentioned plans to harm her adoptive parents, Tim and Julie. In one horrifying incident, she severely injured her brother in an attempt to murder him.

Beth’s parents resorted to barricading her in her room at night to prevent her from causing harm. Despite her actions, Beth showed no remorse or fear, only a deep-seated rage.

Diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), Beth exhibited behavior that instilled fear in both her adoptive parents and clinicians. Experts warned of the potential danger she could pose as an adult without intervention.

RAD commonly affects adopted children, leading to aggressive behavior towards family members and pets, destructive tendencies, and self-harm, all stemming from traumatic early experiences.

After failed attempts by various psychiatrists to foster empathy in Beth, therapist Connell Watkins introduced an experimental therapeutic approach that imposed strict limitations on her activities, leading to significant behavioral improvements. Within a year, Beth showed remorse for her actions and stopped harming herself.

Following successful therapy, Beth was re-adopted by Nancy Thomas and together, they co-authored a book and established Families By Design, a US-based organization supporting families coping with RAD children. Beth, now a qualified therapist, has transformed into an award-winning registered nurse and an inspirational speaker, shedding her label as a “child of rage.”