American Justice Season 2000 Episode 25 A Family Secret: The Death of Lisa Steinberg

In season 2000, episode 25 of American Justice, titled "A Family Secret: The Death of Lisa Steinberg," the tragic case of Lisa Steinberg, a six-year-old girl who was brutally abused and murdered by her adoptive father, Joel Steinberg, is examined.

The episode begins with the shocking discovery of Lisa's lifeless body by police officers who were responding to a call about a child in distress. Lisa was found battered and unconscious, lying on the floor of her Manhattan apartment. She was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved – she died two days later.

As the investigation into Lisa's death unfolds, it becomes clear that the little girl had suffered horrific abuse at the hands of Joel Steinberg and his partner, Hedda Nussbaum. Lisa had been adopted by the couple when she was just a baby, but she was treated more like a prisoner than a daughter. Joel and Hedda had been physically abusing Lisa for years, and their violence only escalated as time went on.

The episode looks at the couple's dysfunctional relationship and the events that led up to Lisa's death. It also explores the long and complicated legal battle that followed – one that pitted Joel and Hedda against each other and revealed shocking secrets about the couple's past.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and experts in child abuse, "A Family Secret" offers a sobering look at the devastating effects of domestic violence and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm. The episode highlights the need for greater awareness and support for victims of abuse and the role that law enforcement and the justice system can play in ending cycles of violence.

Overall, "A Family Secret: The Death of Lisa Steinberg" is a powerful and moving episode that sheds light on a tragic case that had a profound impact on the nation's understanding of child abuse and domestic violence. It is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of a family's dark secrets and the consequences that result from a failure to act when signs of abuse are present.