THE VICTIM: LISA STEINBERG
Lisa was born on May 14, 1981 at Beekman Downtown Hospital to 19-year old Michele Launders and an unnamed 20-year old college student who is unable to provide financial support. Against the idea of abortion, Saunders consulted a physician who introduces her to Joel Steinberg, a lawyer who has supposedly handled many adoption cases. Steinberg assured Saunders that he will do his best to find a suitable home for her daughter. When Saunders gave birth, Steinberg made her sign some documents and that was the last time that Saunders saw her daughter. She was told that Lisa was adopted by a well-off attorney from Upper East Side Manhattan.
Instead of finding a family for the baby, Steinberg took the baby home for himself, without following any legal adoption procedures. Lisa grew up with Joel Steinberg as her father, and Hedda Nussbaum as her mother.
Lisa attended the New York City Public School 41 and she was remembered well by her teachers. According to a family friend, Lisa "was the most wonderful, loving creature, who could talk to you like an adult."
Instead of finding a family for the baby, Steinberg took the baby home for himself, without following any legal adoption procedures. Lisa grew up with Joel Steinberg as her father, and Hedda Nussbaum as her mother.
Lisa attended the New York City Public School 41 and she was remembered well by her teachers. According to a family friend, Lisa "was the most wonderful, loving creature, who could talk to you like an adult."
No one knows when the abuse of Lisa began. But everyone knew about Joel's abuse of Hedda and many people suspected that if Hedda was being beaten, Lisa might be experiencing the same. Many have filed reports and according to Suzanne Trazoff of the Human Resources Administration, the reports were investigated on 1984 but there were no signs of chld abuse.
Some of Lisa's teachers have reported seeing bruises on her face, but when questioned by the principal, Steinberg and Nussbaum claimed that Lisa was struck by her 16-month old brother, Mitchell.
Lisa showed very few signs of abuse. She remained sweet and loving to other people, which she will forever be remembered by. But inside her home, Lisa must have been suffering.
Some of Lisa's teachers have reported seeing bruises on her face, but when questioned by the principal, Steinberg and Nussbaum claimed that Lisa was struck by her 16-month old brother, Mitchell.
Lisa showed very few signs of abuse. She remained sweet and loving to other people, which she will forever be remembered by. But inside her home, Lisa must have been suffering.