Fred and Mary seemed to have it all. They had three beautiful children, a very nice house in one of the most elite neighborhoods in Iowa City. Fred drove a top of the line SUV and Mary had a sleek sports car most soccer moms wouldn't be driving. Joseph was given a sensible car for his 16th birthday. Mary was quite the social butterfly, belonging to many of the high society organizations and Fred was a Kiwanian. The children attended the public schools and were on the honor roll every semester.

But behind closed doors it was a different story. Mary was constantly yelling and screaming at her children and Fred. If that didn't get her what she wanted, she resorted to violence. The small woman tortured the family until she put one of her children at death's door.

Read how this family coped with the struggles of life with an abusing parent and spouse. See how they overcame her torturous ways. And then you may understand how It Always Doesn't Show on the Outside.