Lisa Steinberg, 6-Year-Old Girl
Adoption and Abuse
Lisa Steinberg was a six-year-old girl living in New York City, who was illegally adopted by Joel Steinberg, a criminal defense attorney. Lisa was subjected to severe physical abuse by Steinberg, who regularly beat her. The abuse culminated in a brutal beating on November 1, 1987, which left Lisa in a coma.
Public Reaction and Legal Impact
Lisa died on November 4, 1987, after being removed from life support. Her death led to the arrest and conviction of Joel Steinberg for manslaughter. The case highlighted the flaws in New York’s child welfare system and prompted significant reforms to better protect children from abuse.
