ABC MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: UNSPEAKABLE ACTS (TV)
Summary
This made for television production is about the discovery of child molestation in a Florida daycare center and the trial that resulted against the couple running the home. The program begins in Miami in 1984, as lawyers Susan and Richard Maxwell play with their young daughter Morgan. Susan is anxious at leaving their daughter with a babysitter for the first time. Meanwhile, police officers Tom and Maggie Rivera agree that Maggie should drop young daughter Chrystal off at babysitter Ileana Fuster's house. After she leaves, Susan arrives at the Fusters' place, asking if she can look around. Unsure but eventually satisfied, Susan decides to leave Morgan with the other children there. Then, Neil Harrison drops off his sons Jason and Joshua at the Fusters. Jason continues to complain at having to go to the Fusters and deal with Ileana's husband, Frank. Joshua, too, is unhappy to be left with Ileana. Later in the day, Susan interrupts her tennis game to call Ileana and check on Morgan. Retrieving Morgan afterward, Susan is unhappy that Ileana claims the child has contracted a diaper rash. Meanwhile, Jason cries to his mother Jackie for continuing to work instead of taking care of him. Meanwhile, Maggie takes her daughter to the doctor, curious as to why she has been recently rubbing her genitalia so much. One day, Susan approaches Jeannie Pierson at the tennis club, asking her why she removed her son from Ileana's care. Susan reveals that she believes Ileana may have drugged Morgan. Jeannie details a rumor about Ileana having inappropriately touched babies. That night, Jason wakes up screaming. Later, a distraught Susan and Richard discuss the rumors, wondering what their next move should be. Soon, chief assistant state attorney Abe Laeser is told by aide Christina Royo of all the claims against the Fusters at Country Walk.
Meanwhile, Maggie does her own police work on Frank, finding that he already has various child assault charges on his record and is currently on probation. That night, the Maxwells go to Tom Herschell's house where other concerned parents gather to discuss the Fusters. At the meeting, the Harrisons talk about their children being asked to be questioned by the authorities. Many parents think the idea of toddlers being interviewed is ludicrous. Nevertheless, the next day, many parents have brought their children to Abe's office. There, Abe meets with husband-and-wife child development experts Laurie and Joseph Bragas. He is curious as to how they will go about interviewing young children for the case. Abe isn't so sure about videotaping the children, but the Bragas convince him otherwise. First, the Bragas interview Jason, trying to get him to open up about the Fusters. Meanwhile, Tom consoles wife Shari about the ordeal. Abe tries to get a temporary injunction to shut down the Fusters' daycare business. The Bragas continue to question Jason about the activities at the Fusters, learning that the couple participated in naked games with the children. The Bragas ask Jason to specifically demonstrate the activities, using dolls. Later, the Bragas review the taped interview with Neil. The Bragas also question Jason about how the other children were physically treated. The Bragas learn that Frank took videos of Jason and the other charges. Meanwhile, the Fusters try to quickly load up their belongings in order to skip town. The couple's daughter Rosa watches with disdain. Afterward, Abe tries to convince the Bragas to get evidence that the Fusters' improprieties were committed within the last thirty days, thus being able to obtain a search warrant. Suddenly, Laurie is overcome by tales of the Fusters' "evil darkness."
Later, Laurie consoles Maggie, who beats herself up for having put her daughter in the care of the predatory Fusters. Meanwhile, lawyer Jeff Samek introduces the Fusters to attorney Michael Von Zamft, with Frank professing his innocence. Nevertheless, Michael convinces Frank to turn himself in at the courthouse. The Bragas meet prosecutors Dan Casey and John Hogan, then see the immense files that have already been prepared regarding each of the assaulted children. The Bragas then get to see their new office space for interviewing children. Then, the Bragas speak with Rosa, trying to get her to reveal things, but she claims she doesn't want to remember. Rosa reveals that her father didn't think the other children would tell on him. Rosa shows a drawing she made that depicts Ileana with a knife. Later, the prosecutors find that Rosa has gonorrhea of the throat. The Bragas don't want the prosecutors to use Rosa in their case, especially by putting her on the stand. Laurie claims that Rosa would be traumatized by testifying against her father. Then, Ileana turns herself in to the authorities. Watching on TV, Jason worries that the Fusters will be let out, claiming that Ileana has "special powers." One night Chad has a nightmare, and Shari fears for her son's well-being. Then, John learns that Michael and the Fusters are accusing the Bragas of being frauds that have a special deal with the state attorney's office. Christina, Dan, and John question the Bragas on the fraud charges and the Bragas are amused at the off-base accusations. Later, the Riveras and other families of abused children refuse to take back their charges, despite Michael thinking he could intimidate them.
Soon, Shari hears more stories about Frank and Ileana from daughter Missy. Later in court, the charges of fraud against the Bragas are found to be erroneous. Jason is then grilled by Jeff in a discovery deposition on things he has said about Frank, and he shows great resolve. In court, Jeff tries to explain to Judge Schwartz that Jason has been put under a spell by the Bragas, but the judge thinks Jeff has acted inappropriately in his brutal interrogation. John then grills Jeff's expert, Dr. Ralph Underwager, about the Bragas' supposed ability to "program" children. Later, Dan prepares Chrystal for her testimony. Afterward, Maggie is upset to hear that the video testimony may never be shown in court, lest the potential illegality of it allows the Fusters to walk on appeal. In court, Ileana makes a guilty plea, throwing herself on the mercy of the court as a seventeen-year-old illegal immigrant. Susan is shocked that Ileana refused a deal, now meaning the children will have to testify against Frank. At trial, Missy is the first to be called to the stand, with Frank trying to intimidate her with his gazes and gestures. Meanwhile, Tom prepares Chad for his time on the stand. John questions Missy on what happened to her when she would go to the Fusters. Other children's testimonies are shown to the court as they testify in the judge's quarters, away from Frank. Jason is proud of himself after his testimony, telling Laurie that he feels "great" for admitting to his own actions -- under Frank's orders -- with the babies.
With Jeff about to cross-examine, the Bragas tell Tom what to expect to hear in Frank's defense. Jeff introduces all of the Bragas' tapes, which leave the jury exceptionally moved. John questions Dr. Coleman, one of the Fusters' medical experts, on his claims that the Bragas are simply perverts that like to hear "sexy stuff" from children. Dr. Coleman claims that the Bragas are manipulators, while John says that the doctor is in it simply for the money. Surprisingly, Ileana agrees to take the stand to testify against Frank. A furious Frank accuses her of lying and the trial is temporarily halted. The next day, the jury finds Frank guilty on all the charges as the Bragas and family members hold hands and smile in the courtroom. Graphics reveal the specifics of the trial's outcome. Following the film, actress Jill Clayburgh, who plays Laurie, provides information about detecting sexual abuse of children. Also includes an "ABC News Brief" with Forrest Sawyer. Includes commercials. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 15, 1990 Monday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:56:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:16747
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Child abuse
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1990
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Acutrim appetite suppresant
- TV - Commercials - Advil pain relief
- TV - Commercials - Airwick Carpet Fresh deodorizer
- TV - Commercials - Airwick Crystalaire air fresheners
- TV - Commercials - Alberto VO5 shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Alka Seltzer antacid relief
- TV - Commercials - Aqua-fresh toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Arrid antiperspirant
- TV - Commercials - Benadryl Plus Nighttime cold relief
- TV - Commercials - Benylin cough syrup
- TV - Commercials - Cadillac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
- TV - Commercials - Clorox detergent
- TV - Commercials - Dextrim diet aid
- TV - Commercials - Dove soap
- TV - Commercials - Flintstone's vitamins
- TV - Commercials - Formula 409 spray cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Fresh Step cat litter
- TV - Commercials - Holiday Inn hotels
- TV - Commercials - Listerine mouthwash
- TV - Commercials - Musicians for Life for National AIDS Network
- TV - Commercials - National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- TV - Commercials - Ocean Spray cranberry juice
- TV - Commercials - Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Commercials - Ragu pasta sauce
- TV - Commercials - Rave hair care
- TV - Commercials - Sprint phone cards
- TV - Commercials - Static Guard static remover
- TV - Commercials - Sudafed cold relief
- TV - Commercials - Surf detergent
- TV - Commercials - Vaseline Intensive Care lotion
- TV - Commercials - Youth Plus for literacy
- TV - Promos - "17th Annual American Music Awards"
- TV - Promos - "All My Children"
- TV - Promos - "Anything But Love"
- TV - Promos - "China Beach"
- TV - Promos - "Coach"
- TV - Promos - "Columbo"
- TV - Promos - "Doogie Howser MD"
- TV - Promos - "Father Dowling Mysteries"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Jekyll & Hyde"
- TV - Promos - "Mission: Impossible"
- TV - Promos - "Primetime Live"
- TV - Promos - "Roseanne"
- TV - Promos - "The Young Riders"
- TV - Promos - "World News Tonight With Peter Jennings"
- TV - Promos - "thirtysomething"
CREDITS
- Alan Landsburg … Executive Producer, Writer
- Linda Otto … Executive Producer, Director
- Joan Barnett … Producer
- Don Goldman … Associate Producer
- Jan Hollingsworth … Based on the book by
- Mike Post … Music by
- Jill Clayburgh … Cast, Laurie Braga
- Brad Davis … Cast, Joseph Braga
- Sam Behrens … Cast, Tom Herschell
- Gary Frank … Cast, Neil Harrison
- James Handy … Cast, Jeff Samek
- Mark Harelik … Cast, Richard Maxwell
- Season Hubley … Cast, Jackie Harrison
- Terence Knox … Cast, Dan Casey
- Valerie Landsburg … Cast, Maggie Rivera
- Maureen Mueller … Cast, Shari Herschell
- Bebe Neuwirth … Cast, Susan Maxwell
- Jeff Seymour … Cast, Tony Rivera
- Gregory Sierra … Cast, Frank Fuster
- David Wilson … Cast, John Hogan
- Laura Owens … Cast, Jeannie Pierson
- Bess Meyer … Cast, Ileana Fuster
- Paul Eiding … Cast, Abe Laeser
- Jenny Gago … Cast, Christina Royo
- Guy Stockwell … Cast, Dr. Ralph Underwager
- Byrne Piven … Cast, Dr. Coleman
- Maria Cavaiani … Cast, Rosa Fuster
- Ashleigh Sterling … Cast, Missy Herschell
- Miko Hughes … Cast, Chad Herschell
- Kristal Bivona … Cast, Chrystal Rivera
- Joe Mazzello … Cast, Jason Harrison
- Alan Sader … Cast, Judge Newman
- Mark Joy … Cast, Judge Schwartz
- Rick Warner … Cast, Michael Von Zamft
- Jane Gabbert-Wilson … Cast, Terri
- Steve Howard … Cast, Doctor
- Janelle Cochrane … Cast, Reporter
- Dale Wright … Cast, Court Clerk
- Jim Grimshaw … Cast, Mel
- Gretchen Holz … Cast, Reporter #2
- Richard Rhodes … Cast, Father #1
- Nick Searcy … Cast, Father #2
- Susan Skordal … Cast, Mother
- Brenna Lyn Greaves … Cast, April
- for "ABC News Brief"
- Forrest Sawyer … Anchor