Homeschooling’s 

Invisible Children

Sean Paddock and 6 Siblings

Content note: Case narratives include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.

SeanSean 2

Sean Paddock died of suffocation after his adoptive mother, Lynn Paddock, bound him tightly in blankets to keep him from getting out of his bed. Sean’s siblings, five of whom were also adopted, testified that they were frequently beaten with plastic rods and wooden spoons. Lynn Paddock was convicted of first degree murder and it was found that her husband Johnny Paddock had “aided and abetted” the crime. The family homeschooled and lived in North Carolina.

Date: February 26, 2006
Location: Johnston County, North Carolina

Documents: Date:
Mother charged in death of boy 2006-02-27
Dead boy’s mother accused before 2006-02-28
Tot is laid to rest amid questions 2006-03-02
Autopsy reveals child was tied 2006-03-04
Statement by the director of Wake County Child Welfare Services on the death of Sean Paddock 2006-03-06
State gave couple stipend 2006-03-07
Mom’s murder charge upgraded 2006-03-14
Dead child’s mom sought discipline tips 2006-03-16
Parenting guru is revered, reviled 2006-04-30
Autopsy: Blankets were to keep boy in bed 2006-05-05
Child’s death spurs changes 2006-07-07
Wake County Child Fatality Prevention Team/County Child Protection Team report on Sean Paddock 2006-07-07
Adopted boy’s death spurs custody battle 2006-08-08
Judge allows abuse testimony 2008-05-12
Trial in child’s death to begin 2008-05-19
Judge hears of harsh discipline 2008-05-20
Judge declines to delay Paddock trial 2008-05-21
Judge allows abuse testimony 2008-05-21
Paddock children still cope with brother’s death 2008-05-28
Paddock’s children testify 2008-05-28
Jury selected for mother’s murder trial 2008-05-28
Children face Paddock in court 2008-05-29
Boy says he lied out of fear of Paddock 2008-05-30
Paddock jury won’t hear call from daughter 2008-05-31
State Child Fatality Review – Findings and Recommendations – Johnson and Wake Counties 2008-06-00
Stranger supports Paddock witness 2008-06-03
Testimony chronicles day of Sean’s death 2008-06-04
Could Sean Paddock’s death have been prevented? 2008-06-04
Sean Paddock’s last hours described 2008-06-05
Doctor says Paddock boy was tortured 2008-06-06
Pediatrician tells of boy’s suffocation 2008-06-07
Paddock weeps on witness stand 2008-06-09
Paddock takes the stand in her own defense 2008-06-09
Paddock says she was beaten as a child 2008-06-09
Mother accused of killing adopted son takes stand 2008-06-09
Where was Sean Paddock’s father? 2008-06-09
Doctor says Paddock meant no harm 2008-06-10
Paddock tells of own pain 2008-06-10
Trial no easy topic for anyone 2008-06-11
Paddock case to go to jury 2008-06-11
Lynn Paddock found guilty of murder 2008-06-12
Boy’s aunt: ‘I hope his death is not in vain’ 2008-06-12
Jury sifts two versions of Paddock 2008-06-12
Paddock will pay for crimes 2008-06-13
Sean’s short life shows system’s flaws 2008-06-29
Adoption incentive prompts concerns 2008-06-30
Adoptive mom’s murder case goes to appeals court 2010-01-13
Questions about ministry grow 2010-02-26
Civil court: Adoptive father ‘aided and abetted’ child’s 2006 suffocation 2011-07-19
Verdict means adoptive father can’t benefit from boy’s death 2011-07-20
Did Hana’s parents ‘train’ her to death? 2011-11-27