The Davis Family: The WORST Family On Supernanny (Pt. 2)

Welcome to Part 2 on the Davis Family saga, where we observe one of the most dysfunctional family to ever air on Supernanny.

I highly suggest you read Part 1 first for more context, but let's recap from last time. What's wrong with this family?

• Phil is lazy and misogynistic, forcing his wife and daughters to do all the chores.
• Phil has anger problems and will scream swear words and slurs at his children.
• Phil is violent and "punishes" his kids via the belt or his bare hands.
• Phil makes weird comments sexualizing his teen daughter's clothing and slut-shames her.
• Debbie does jackshit seeing her children being abused and bullied.
• Morgan is parentified in her own house and is failing school as a result of it.
• The younger girls and Phillip witness unfiltered abuse everyday and are suffering.

...hmm...there's a LOT wrong with this family, and I don't think Jo alone can fix this. We should get CPS here. Or the police, preferably someone else. But let's see what she does.

PART 2: Fixing This Family 

Jo begins her meeting, and she starts it by saying "There are some...serious issues that need to be adressed..." That's one way to put it.

The Cathartic Call-Out

Jo immediately comes for Phil and calls him out for his outdated household expectations for women, and his blatant lack of responsibilities in the household. Starting off strong, I see. By the way, the whole time, he has this weird annoying smirk like he wants to argue, but he knows he's not in the right to. 

Why are you smiling, you weirdo? She's calling you out on being misogynistic!

She then addresses the fact he slut shames Morgan, to which he has a GENIUS excuse for...

Jo: "The man who raised her, since she was 3 years old...calls her a SLUT and called her a HOE yesterday!" 

Phil: "No, what I was saying I didn't want her to dress like one-" (?)

Jo: "That's what you called her."
Phil: "I'm not saying I called her a slut, I said if you want to dress like one, is what I said." (!!!)

Jo: "I was there."

Phil: "That's what I said-" (shut your mouth)

Jo: "Phil".

Phil: "That's what I'm saying, you can't, that's what I'm trying-" (T^T)

Jo: "Phil. Phil. I don't even think you know what you say when you're angry."

WOW. Just-...wow. The gaslighting he tried to do to undermine his atrocious behavior is disturbing. In what universe would saying your daughter dresses like a slut be better?! I feel like he's used these manipulation tactics on his wife and Morgan in the past. Thankfully, because Jo won't stand down, Phil's attempt at gaslighting are broken down, and he's realizing Jo-...well, he said it, has put him in his place. But he still tries to argue, and-

Jo: "You fly off the handles, you're like a bull-"

Phil: "You think she should show her cleavage at 14-"

Jo: "She wasn't."

W JO! GET REKT PHIL!

For once someone in his life is telling him off instead of giving in to his control. She then calls him out on his abusive discipline methods, and how they have the ironic opposite effect. Instead of teaching these kids to be smart, respectful, and improve themselves, he's teaching them to tolerate violence and be violent themselves. As she puts it, the kids are being raised in "constant earthquakes", and it's "breaking their spirits". He has nothing to say for this. Good. You shouldn't. Jo describes Phil perfectly:

"Overpowering, dominating...fueled by anger, you are a bully. And all you're doing is breaking down your relationships, your marriage, and causing more and more destruction."

Exactly. He's not a father, he's a bully. Bullies want control. They feed on humiliating and being seen as bigger than others. From Phil's perspective, he demands respect, but never wants to give respect either. If no one intervenes, it's going to destroy this household. One day, when their children grow up, they'll want no contact with them, and it'll be entirely their fault.

After calling Phil out, she rightfully turns to Debbie and says "and you allow this to happen", as the mom says nothing and dips down in the light shame she has, on the verge of tears. GOOD.

You know what this image personifies? Shame. Really. It's just shame.

I'm glad the mom got called out as well, because once again: although I blame a lot of problems in this household on Phil's abusive behavior, and I sympathize with Debbie, at the same time it's almost equally abusive to not stand up for your own children and let this go on for years, making both you and your family absolutely miserable. As Jo puts it:

"And the reason you gave me? 'Because I want my family to be together.' That's the price your prepared to pay is it? Just to keep your family all under one roof, you're prepared to DESTROY and BREAK the SPIRITS?"

Exactly x2. Even if she is a still victim in this abusive household, at the end of the day, your children should not be a last priority. She keeps getting back with Phil, she refuses to finalize a divorce, all so things can just stay the same. And even if it's easier, it's going to destroy these kids' mental health so bad that once again- they will probably avoid contact with their parents and be damaged for years to come.

"I expect 100% commitment, I expect an open mind, I expect you to accept the change, I expect you both to listen to me, and HARD WORK. Cuz trust me, this ain't gonna be no walk in the park..." - Jo

So, with that, it's time for Jo to start intervening. Now, before we examine her attempts to improve the family, I have to admit: I am sadly not that optimistic Jo can save this family. Jo already has to go through a lot to improve basic families, like teaching proper discipline, teaching parents to be confident, and establishing routines. 

..So, how are you going to fix a horrifically abusive father, a permissive apathetic mother, a teen girl clearly parentified and in a bad situation because of this, and all the younger girls who are being traumatized by all of this?...and...Phillip Jr, we can't forget him. It's gonna take a lot of work. We'll go through 5 exercises Jo does to improve this family, ranging from "unique" to constructive. Let's give this whole thing a shot. Speaking of which...

The Davis Family: The WORST FAMILY on Supernanny (Pt. 1)

Child abuse.

These two words are very upsetting and triggering to many people. Abusing, torturing, and hurting anything is bad. 

But to abuse a child, a poor, innocent, extremely vulnerable person who has never done anything wrong to you...is a special type of an evil. An evil that no one should justify or understand. An evil that must be stopped.

An evil that's sadly more common than we think.

Which brings us to one of the most infamous examples of real child abuse seen on live television: The Supernanny episode:

The Davis Family.

WARNING: This episode contains possibly triggering content relating to child abuse, both verbal and physical. There's discussion relating to toxic home environments, domestic abuse, slut shaming, and misogyny. Viewer discretion advised!

Yes, I have to put this warning on a SUPERNANNY episode! 

FWI...

If you don't know what already know what Supernanny is, it's a reality TV-show based from Britain about a woman named Jo Frost, who specializes in helping broken families, struggling parents, and misbehaving kids. Most often or not it's portrayed as if she's fixing "bad children", when in reality she's fixing bad parents. 

The episode we'll be discussing, "The Davis Family", is no different. It was the 14th episode of Season 5. You can learn more about the episode, it's reception, and etc. by visiting the Supernanny wiki: https://supernanny.fandom.com/wiki/The_Davis_Family_(Season_5)

You can also watch the full-episode (uncensored) here:

Already, looking at the thumbnail of a girl about to cry, and the title "Foul-mouthed father ruins all family relationships", you can tell this episode's going to be heavy.

Here's a drinking game (that applies to all parts). Take a shot anytime I say:

• toxic
• misogyny / misogynistic
• abuse / abusive
• wow / woah
• stop
• apathy / apathetic
• hell
• abuse / abusive
• parent / parentified
• sexualize
• shame
• poor

Stalling aside, let's begin, shall we?

PART 1: Meeting the Family

All Supernanny episodes begin with Jo riding a car and watching a Demo Reel of the family, submitted by the parents. Today's no different, as we meet the Davises from Florida.

Family Preview

Trust me, you're going to hate seeing these faces soon. Especially his.

Let's introduce ourselves to the family. The parents are Debbie and Phil respectively, and they have 5 children:

• Morgan (14) - eldest daughter
• Phillip Jr. (9) - only son
• Madison (4)
• Tiffany (3)
• Tori (2)

The Davis Family (excluding Debbie)

The younger 3 daughters, who are absolutely adorable by the way, Madison, Tiffany, and Tori, will frequently be grouped together as simply "the girls". Morgan will also have an important role in this story. And for Phillip Jr, we actually don't really get to meet him. Aside from seeing him on camera and him being mentioned occasionally, he doesn't even speak a single line the episode. Which could either be interpreted him as being shy or...scared. We'll talk about that later.

Anyway, Phil is a water-plant operator and Debbie is a commercial-insurance sales producer. Seems like an average American family household.

For at least 10 seconds, until the drama already begins. We immediately learn that Phil is actually Morgan's step-dad, not biological dad, which already gives you a hint their relationship might not be the strongest. This is quickly supported by the first of many infuriating scenes in the episode:

"Morgan was up here watching 'em and look what she let them do!" Uh...your referring to you.

Phil is on the couch, and Debbie notices the girls' got their toys all over the floor, so she tells Phil to help clean up. However, he then says that's Morgan's responsibility, which- no, it's not? Your the DAD, you're the one supposed to be helping? Also, notice how on the right, it appears Morgan is doing her homework. She should be focusing on that, Phil.

Phil then hints at his misogyny by explaining what he thinks his wife should do:

"First thing a wife should do is she should have the house cleaned before she leaves, she should have the kids ready in a decent time, when she gets home from work, which, ey-, you sitting on your rear end all day."

Yes. He actually says this about his own wife. Hey, Phil, what do you do? Your WIFE is the one who cleans, your WIFE is the one who gets the kids ready, but what do YOU do, other than...well..."sitting on your rear end all day"? You can tell this man has seriously outdated and kind of sexist opinions on what women are supposed to do. And look at Debbie, stuck in this awkward marriage.

They Debbie talks about how the mornings here are awful. It takes over an hour just to get a sleepy Morgan ready, and at the same time, she has to help get her sisters ready for daycare. No one cooperates, and it often means the family is late to everything.

"Morgan does help me do that, she complains about it, whines about it, but it's what we have to do."

Wait...what do you mean WE?! Morgan's 14! While it's great for older siblings to help around the house, imagine Morgan having to do such work to get her sisters ready and under control when her parents should be doing most of that. She has to get to school herself, mind you.

This all tells me how much Morgan is parentified in this house. Instead of being able to focus on what she needs to do, she's essentially parenting her sisters all the time. She has to pick up their toys, she has to help get them ready, she probably has to get them to bed as well. No wonder Morgan takes forever to wake up, she's probably always tired from helping his sisters all the time!

Not only is Morgan stressed out from essentially being her sister's 2nd mother, but her constantly being late, having trouble sleeping, and not being able to catch up with her schoolwork is even causing her to fail school.

"I'm a straight A student, but I'm failing my first period because I'm always late.

How do you allow this?! Poor Morgan should be focusing on school, not her younger sisters.

The Closest I've Ever Been to a "Fight"

FIRST POST OF 2026 BABY!

You remember how in my Detention blog post I off-handedly mentioned:

"...considering I had done worse in the past. Y'know, like... punching a student. Yep. (Story for another day!)"

Turns out today is "another day". Why I chose today is because I actually vented about this story to my counselor today. It may be old, but I still find it a bit relevant and kind of a cringe funny, like all of my old stories. I'd just like to clarify: I don't find myself a "violent" person, but I do sometimes do impulsive things when I'm angry, and this story is an example of one.

Stalling aside, let me get into it.

Prologue

Let's set the scene: Early 2023. I often site 6th through 8th grade to the years where I was at my worst. I was insufferable, miserable, full of myself, bullied others, thought I was wise, bla bla bla basic overconfident middle school INTP behavior.

In particular I remember I was rude and often dismissive to my teachers, mostly my 7th grade Math and English teacher. They didn't deserve that, and I'm sorry. This story takes place in 7th grade specifically.

I'm not sure what lead up to this, but I remember angsty 12 year old me was feeling really bad in the middle of Math class. Maybe I was just in one of those moods. I was also bored by the lesson because- to brag, 12 year old me "knew everything" that year. (I didn't, but knew most, so I lied to myself). 

For some reason, I then went to the bathroom and actually was tempted to skip class entirely, as I went to the end of the hallway instead of class. I'm not sure what my plan was, though. The math teacher caught me a few minutes afterwards and reported me back to class, as I spent the rest of the class in misery.

You notice how disconnected this story actually is? I don't know why I was upset, I don't know why I was tempted to skip class, I don't know at all. I really don't get me sometimes. But this leads up to the title.

Incident

Now, I mentioned I bullied others, but I myself was also bullied due to being a miserable, aloof smart aleck. It actually sounds like a toxic cycle when I think of it. I don't know which came first, but regardless, it was just obnoxious.

In this specific instance, I was sitting on a bench waiting for lunch, wallowing to myself. One of my classmates, we'll call him Kaden, began to taunt me by trying to push me off the bench. I remember him spouting something like "No one likes you, A.A". ...and that's when I snapped.

Soon enough, I decided to punch him back in the chest and walk away.

...and that was all.

...no, really, that's all. What, did you expect something more flashy? No, just angsty pre-teen punches one of his classmates because he was bullying him.

Now, if this was a fake story, I would've gone on all badass, and that kid would respect me from now on. But this is reality, so guess what happened instead?

Reprimand

As anger-induced that punch was, I also felt a bit guilty. That guilt quickly dialed up to 20 when during lunch, I was called into the dreaded Principal's Office.

Now, before we continue, I would just like to bring up...I find it VERY interesting how no one reported Kaden pushing me on the bench and verbally bullying me, but the moment I fought back, that's when it gets reported. Great job stopping bullying, school. 

Anyway, moment I get into the Principal's Office, I begin bawling once I'm chastised for hurting Kaden. I was very remorseful and apologetic, not hoping for the worst. I specifically remember the principal even mentioning he had a " sore red mark" on his stomach, and me, in sobby tears, cried "tHat MaKes mE fEEl WoRSE!" Which...y'know, knowing I was even capable of such violence at 12 genuinely does make me regret the entire thing.

I remained crestfallen until Kaden and my middle school counselor arrived, and I began to explain further what happened. I remember the Principal looking at Kaden and wondering why he would tell me something like that, and Kaden admitted he did it mostly because others said stuff like that about me.

My counselor, as usual, was amazing though, as while I was obviously scolded for punching a student, she told Kaden at the same time not to trust in rumors and still respect me. I apologized at the end of it all, and came out feeling a bit better, if still angsty.

Epilogue

I remember coming home that day and my mom found out about the incident, but she wasn't too mad, just glad I wasn't in too much trouble. I also remember my brother came home that day, and when he found out about why I hit Kaden, he actually justified it! That's how older brothers be sometimes.

For any takeaways from this story: an obvious one is adolescents are stupid, but another obvious one is bullying can be a toxic cycle. I never want to hurt someone as violently as I did here, no matter how bad they made me feel. At the same time, verbal bullying is just as hurtful as physical bullying.

While I think some of low social status was my fault, justifying how others thought of me, at the same time, you don't tell someone "nobody likes you". Things like that can sting, just as bad as a punch.

Hope Kaden is doing ok nowadays. Thanks for reading my lil' story!

- ninesevenpotatoes, 2026

P.S. This was unintentional, but did you notice the initials of each section spell out "PIRE"?

End of 2025 Reflection

"It's not over. It's just beginning! [...] As long as you remember all the terrific things you did the past year honey, you didn't miss a thing. That's what New Years Eve is really about!"

 - Grandma Thora, "Arthur's New Year's Eve"

DISCLAIMER: This might not be the most developed, sorted, or even coherent, but I will promise it'll be written from an honest perspective. It's more or less going to be a more filtered diary-entry. Yes, I have a diary. I'll talk about that later.

Welp. 2025 has at last come to a close. It seems this year has gone by so fast and so slow at the same time.

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. 2025 was one of the most turbulent, angsty years of my life...mostly in the latter half. It could be somewhere between 2022 (the year I found out what it means to be an asshole) and 2024 (the year I finally started high school). Why exactly? Well...y'know...actually, you don't know. Lemme just dump as much as I can.

[UNSORTED ANGSTY TEEN OPINIONS]

As always, it was a year of self-discovery and self-growth, but I also felt this year felt...bloated. Like, a lot more convoluted then last year, or the year before. And it makes sense, given that I'm expanding what I'm doing and I'm in 10th grade now. Next year, in fact, I'll be in 11th grade, closer to graduating.

Speaking of which, high school has been truly feeling like high school now. 9th grade was pretty average, but now, I'm struggling a lot more with the workload, which is disorienting my mind. I've participated in more clubs, which I guess is cool. Math is my best subject, but I hate factoring. Science is my favorite subject, but stoichiometry can suck a HORSE CO-

I also read possibly my favorite book in English, being Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It really resonated with me and I might make a future post discussing why I loved it. Speaking of speaking, I felt this sophomore year I was a bit more vocal and confident than usual. I was able to get out of my shell more, but I'm still staying in it for a while.

The same applies for my online life; as you know, I did Art Fight this year, and I loved it. I met new friends, and in imitated some of my art style evolution and influenced me to share more of my art online. I feel my art style got so much better this year, and I'm glad I'm being recognized for it. Of course though, sometimes what I draw does drive me insane. (P.S. My mom gave me a sketchbook this year. Thank you.)

If I'm being honest, I don't actually know at all what I'm going to be doing with my life. I think this year was when it really started to dawn on me how close I am to adulthood. I'm considering college, but I don't know if I'm ready for it. I kind of wish I was.

In fact, I'm not ready for a lot of things. If there's something I learned this year, it's that the hardest step is always the first one. I remember during my 9th grade year, my main goal was to "take the initiative", and I was able to take some small steps. I even made a new friend this year. I'm planning on hopefully applying that even more this sophomore year, even though I'm admittedly drained.

I got humbled a LOT this year by the way. Mainly online. Sometimes I feel bad for the fact everyone has to deal with me, for as much as I complain to myself about dealing withing everything.

If I'm being honest (again), I don't have the best self-esteem. I have trouble feeling proud or accepting people liking me because the one person I can't trust is myself. I feel like more people dislike me than I feel there are...when in reality, there's probably less people that dislike me more than I feel there are.

...right?

There are people who accept me, but I don't know how to accept myself, if I'm perfectly honest. I always wish to change, but I just feel bounded and dejected whenever I inevitably mess up. I want to learn. I want to be more open with others. I don't know how I can do that. 

It's like I have this weird preoccupation with searching for what I don't like about myself, and what I don't like about my life. I don't like that mindset. I wish I could be more grateful, more accepting, more- no, less blunt. I remember my English teacher has called me "brutally honest", which I'm only half-proud of. I want to be truthful, but I don't like to be shamed, or to hurt others. And that's happened multiple times this year. Maybe instead of being "brutally honest", I should aim to be..."gently honest".

Is that possible?

I'm not into resolutions. But I will outline that next year, I hope to be a lot more willful and lock in with what I want to do. I can't do everything, after all. I have to take it step by step. I also want to be more open and outdoor, as it could help clear my busy mind.

WAIT!

Before we close off for real...I wonder, what did 14 year old me have to say to me? I made this letter to myself about a year ago on a YT short.

[ahem]

"Dear A.A.

I don't know when you'll re-read this, if you'll re-read this, or if you'll like re-reading this, but I do have to say this. I understand that at this moment your life may not be ideal. You're struggling with your emotional stability, barely can get out of your comfort zone, and are hard on yourself. Not to mention you also have inconsistent priorities and are scared of what's happening in the world right now. It may seem like there's not much you can do. But please remember and understand that just because it's not going well right now never means it's not going to go well at all. Your at the core time of your life- an adolescent freshman who's constantly learning more about himself and others. It's easy to shame yourself because of stuff you mess up now, and I agree- it's terrifying to think about the future. We can't change the past, so that's anxiety inducing- but we can change the future, so that's also anxiety inducing. Take a moment and just think about where you are now, who you used to be, and who you CAN be.

It's so easy to get into a vicious cycle of stress and feeling alone- that you're failing everyone around you. But I promise you, there are people who care about you. You can care about yourself. You can care for others. Focus on your strengths, and keep up what you're good at. All the amazing things you can and have done reveal your true character. The person you definitely want to be. What matters most about adolescence isn't achieving greatness in the end- it's becoming a better person and developing your character. And each week, month, season, you improve yourself in small progress. Each year you try hard- and as much as you do that, you still mess up frequently. That's ok. Take what you screw up not to self-hate yourself- but a reminder your imperfect, and can still improve yourself. You will make it by the end of high school. You will make it by your 20s. You will make it during the rest of your life. Keep trying your best, and help- not only others, but yourself.

Sincerely,

A.A."

*sniff*

...thank you. (Er-...me.)

Closing Off

I know this isn't really a proper "conclusion" to this post. All of the issues I've written are still with me.

I am still lost. I am confused, maybe even an idiot at times. I can be smart, I can be proud, I can be loud and ashamed. I'm on my way to adulthood, finding who I am. I can hurt, or be hurt. I am somebody. Sometimes I can be a nobody. Maybe I need help. Maybe...maybe- no, I don't know what I'm saying. I don't know if this will be forever.

But... I will always be me...so it's bittersweet. I'm glad it's that. Because in reality, for as long as I live, my story will not have an end for a while.

Hopefully, a long while.

I don't have anything clever or inspirational to really end this with. And that's ok. All I have to simply have to say is... Thank you all so much. See you next year.

- ninesevenpotatoes, 2025...for one last time

Poem: Green-Eyed (Like I)

I envy those with such beautiful eye colors. (My eyes are actually blackish-brown)

So recently in school we were assigned to do Poetry-Out Loud. Again. To be honest I'll admit I wasn't too in-tuned with my poem last year. I barely remember what it was about, something involving silk and butterflies? But this year, I chose a poem that better resonates with me. 

It was finding that poem that actually made me remember I once made a poem about-...well, it should be obvious by reading it. It's about 9 months old, but I think it still holds up, and I think you can guess what I was feeling to make in the first place. (P.S. No offense to people with green or hazel eyes.)

Enjoy!

"Green-Eyed (Like I)"

 

It slowly creeps up your spine

A green, greedy feeling

After taste is like spite

You are green-eyed

Just like I

A desire uncontrollable

Harder to catch than runaway zoo

Desire

Such a desire

Did all that you really could

It just wasn’t enough

It felt like you deserved it all

He-rumph!

How do they do it

You wanna know

Feels like they’ve been putting on a show

“I’ll be fine,” you say as a lie

You are green-eyed

Just like I

Toxic aromas surround yourself

“Just give me it all”

“I deserve more or less”

Furry, green, and overbearing

It bounds your legs

Controls your mood

It’s hands reach for it all, all

But doing it makes you take a big, big fall

You are green-eyed

Just like I

No easy way out

You wanted it all

Yet you already did

You’ve gotten nowhere

It feels like you’re nothing

It really, really is something

When you truly are…

…green eyed…

Just like I

- ninesevenpotatoes, 2025

I'M IN A MUSEUM

THE TITLE IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION!

I AM IN A MUSEUM!

Oh, you-...need context?

Ok, so about a month ago I attended a comics class and I made this comic featuring a super persona of me, and along with other students, they hung it up nearby.

This is the comic in specific, lacking modesty.

And now it's in the museum for a month. I'm finally getting somewhere folks.

One day, a museum, next year the-...actually, museum is already pretty classed.

The thumbnail is a mock-up of the real photo of me with my comic:

I even captured the exact pimple on my chin. Which the cameras captured. Quite well.

"Is that frickin huggy wuggy in the corner-" - one of my friends

- ninesevenpotatoes, 2025

P.S.

"Where the hell have you been?"

School. That's where I've been. I promise I got some posts coming out.

The Tragic Cold Case of Sherri Jarvis

"Who cares?"

- Sherri Ann Jarvis

WARNING: This post discusses sensitive details relating to sexual abuse, violence, and murder. There also is content relating to running away. Viewer discretion advised!

Some aspects of this story are W.I.P, I just wanted to release it today, but it's still mostly readable. Expect this to be updated throughout the next month or two!

Today marks the 45th anniversary since the infamous, cold case murder of Sherri Jarvis, a teen girl who has touched people online for years.

Sherri Ann Jarvis c. 13 (1966 - 1980)

Sherri Jarvis was a teenaged runaway who was brutally murdered in 1980. It's a relatively simple murder, but a lot of details on the case and the investigation that followed for decades would prove to be heartbreaking. As not only was Sherri's killer unknown, but neither was her identity.

With the thanks of genetic genealogy, Sherri's name- and life, was given back in 2021, much to the delight of everyone. Sadly, her murder remains unsolved.

I want this post to be a dedication to Sherri's stolen life, and all that was put to give her back the identity she deserved, along with discussion on what might've happened to her.

So...let's jump in.

The Life of Sherri Jarvis

Sherri Ann Jarvis, who went by "Tati" to her friends, was born on March 9th, 1966, in Stillwater Minnesota.

Sherri Jarvis, at ages 11 and 12 respectfully.

Sherri was described as a fun-loving, energetic and street smart girl who loved listening to music and horse-riding. You can just tell by her continuous child-like smile in all of her school photos.

However, for as jovial as the young girl was, she was also a bit of a rebel, and described by some as a "troubled teen". In 8th grade, she was frequently skipping school for reasons that are unclear. 

CPS looked at the truant and removed her out of her home, into a juvenile detention center for troubled teens, sometime in 1979. Sherri lived in her new home for some months...until around her 14th birthday.

March, 1980

Sherri Jarvis turns 14. But instead of celebrating it with a party, Sherri is planning to make a get away. 

Sometime after their daughter ran away, her parents received a letter from Sherri, describing how they wouldn't hear from her again until she was about 18 to 21 years old.

Accompanying the letter was this photo:

Sherri Jarvis (somewhere in Colardo).

I can imagine this image was taken by a sympathetic local who Sherri asked to take a photo of her. You can really tell how jovial Sherri was, as always, with a playful and more developed smile.

Tragically, this same beautiful, happy picture would be her last recorded photo. The precious, wonderful, young, albeit troubled teen girl would soon have her smile erased from this world as well.

The Jarvis Family

Karolynn Jean Zinski Zumbrunnen (1940 - 2019) and  Don Jarvis Sr. (1940 - 2019), Sherri's parents.

Sherri's family never stopped searching for her. Her parents kept their telephone the same in hopes of their beloved daughter calling one day. They even hired a private investigator a few times, but they never found any leads.

Sadly, both of Sherri's parents died without ever knowing what happened to her.

Little did they know, Sherri would soon adopt a placeholder identity a few months afterwards, for decades to come.

October 31st, 1980

Halloween 1980 was probably spent in different ways for many people. For example, a 17-year-old boy named Carl Koppelman would be hanging out with his friends at a Halloween party.

Carl Koppelman (left), dressed as a prison inmate.

However, Sherri Jarvis would be spending Halloween, alone, in search of meeting someone.

At about 6:30 P.M, in a gas station, a man reported seeing Sherri asking directions for directions to the Ellis Prison unit nearby, to meet someone. According to his later account, the witness would say she had been let out of a 1973 and 1974 blue Cheverton or Caprice with a white, male driver.

After leaving the station, Sherri travelled north on Sam Houston Avenue. She eventually went to a now defunct truck stop alongside I-45. She went into the restaurant, where she asked a waitress for directions to Ellis Prison, once again. She said she had a "friend" there,

The kind waitress then drew up a map for the girl, but was a bit concerned about her safety, so she asked for her age. Sherri falsely claimed she was 19. The waiter, somewhat dubious of this, asked where her parents were. She simply replied with two words.

"Who cares?"

The banter ended with the waitress asking where her where she was from, and Sherri claimed to be from Aransas Pass or Rockport. Sherri left the diner, likely to find the person she was meeting.

That would be the last time Sherri Jarvis would be seen alive.

And for 40 years, the last time Sherri was known by her name.