Genie (feral Child) - Second Foster Home

Second Foster Home

After Genie was removed from Jean Butler's house, she was returned to Children's Hospital; on the same day, she was transferred to David Rigler's home in Los Feliz. The scientists had agreed they wanted Genie to have a home to live in, and after denying Butler custody the state had been unable to find anyone else. In early August, Hansen had suggested to Rigler that he take custody of Genie if authorities rejected Butler, and although he initially balked at the idea decided to talk it over with his wife, Marilyn. They had three adolescent children of their own, and ultimately decided that, if no one else would, they would be willing to temporarily care for Genie until a new foster home became available; Marilyn had graduate training as a social worker and had just completed a graduate degree in human development, and had worked in both nursery schools and Head Start Programs. All of the scientists knew how unusual it was to make David Rigler a foster parent while still one of Genie's therapists and the head of the scientific team, but there was consensus that Genie needed to live someplace where she could form relationships with specific people, and researchers thought the Riglers' home offered the stable environment they wanted for her.

Despite the hospital's policy, they, John Miner, and the state consented and the Riglers were made temporary foster parents; although they initially intended the arrangement to last for three months at most, Genie ultimately stayed there for four years. While living with them Marilyn became Genie's new teacher and Susan Curtiss was allowed to visit almost every day, both to conduct her tests and to go on outings with Genie. Shortly after Genie moved in, one of the Riglers' children went away to college, enabling Genie to have her own room and bathroom in the house. Much of Genie's development during this time was captured on film, and David Rigler said she eventually learned how to operate the cameras herself.