I WISH YOU DIDN'T KNOW MY NAME The Story of Michele Launders and Her Daughter Lisa

Hardback. In New York City, on May 14, 1981 a baby girl was born by the name of Elizabeth Lisa Launders. By November of 1987, the entire nation would come to know her as "Lisa Steinberg". Following her birth, Lisa's mother paid Joel Steinberg $500 to find an adoptive home for her. A home was never found and although he never adopted Lisa himself, she did live with Joel and his live in girlfriend, Hedda Nussbaum, for the rest of what would be her very short, sad life. On November 1, 1987, Joel Steinberg delivered several fatal blows to Lisa's head and then he and Hedda Nussbaum waited over 12 hours to call for help. Lisa did not die that day, she died three days later from severe brain injuries. He left the house and Hedda called no one thinking that he could help Lisa by laying his hands on her, when he returned. When Hedda later found Lisa was no longer breathing, Joel still didn't want to call for help, but eventually did. Lisa was in a coma for three days before she finally died. When Michele Launders learned the horrific truth of her child's fate, she felt unspeakably betrayed by the medical professionals. They had given her child to a man and woman who were not young, not of her faith, and not even married. The little girl a nation mourned as Lisa Steinberg was her baby, a child who had lived in a house of abuse and been beaten to death by the evil man who called himself Lisa's father. A candid look at a teenage romance that ended in unimaginable tragedy, and the tale of Michele's legal battle to bury her daughter with dignity and love - and of the stunning conviction that ultimately put Joel Steinberg behind bars. Illus. 216pp. 8vo. h/back. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. Nr. F. in Vg+ dw.