[Rasul T. Freelain] I Have to Tell Sheila's Story

Content warning: murder, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and child-to-parent violence and abuse.

Rasul T. Freelain is an author and award-winning, retired veteran of the Oak Park Police Department in Illinois. Throughout his 20-year career, he served in roles including Youth Services Supervisor, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective. It was amidst his work with children and families that he recognized the concept of child-to-parent violence, nearly a decade prior to meeting Sheila von Wiese Mack. Over the span of years, Rasul would be a resource for Sheila as she struggled through an increasingly violent abuse cycle at the hands of her daughter, Heather. Prior to Sheila’s 2014 murder, Rasul tried to see Heather face accountability for the abuse in a system that didn’t require it. With his book, When Lambs Become Wolves, he is hoping to bring awareness to the pervasive issue of Child-to-Parent Violence and Abuse and offer Sheila a chance to share her narrative after her murder. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Sheila von Wiese Mack.

If you believe you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency services. If you suspect you or a loved one may be a victim of domestic violence and/or child-to-parent violence and abuse in the United States, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233, texting "START" to 88788, or visiting thehotline.org to speak with a trained advocate. If you are outside the U.S., please contact a domestic violence support service in your country or region. For a list of additional resources, visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources for a list of non-profit organizations that can help.

Support Rasul:
- Rasul's website: https://www.whenlambsbecomewolves.com/
- Rasul's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protecting_lambs
- Rasul's Book: https://www.siupress.com/9780809339969/when-lambs-become-wolves/

Visit Parent Real Talk: http://www.parentrealtalk.com
Listen to [Tabatha Ross-Brown] Believed Instead of Blamed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tabatha-ross-brown-believed-instead-of-blamed/id1674051643?i=1000655144155

Sources:

Tarigan, Edna. “American Is Freed after 11 Years for Bali ‘Suitcase Murder,’ but a US Case Awaits.” AP News, 25 Feb. 2026, https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-bali-suitcase-murder-schaefer-77946e160861d16c45e5f54b2ee02640

Thank you again to Mint Mobile and Vinted for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget that to get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com/wcn & give your clothes a second life with Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn. Plus, for a limited time, enjoy free shipping in the US on Vinted.