Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Disturbing, dramatized true story of murder and kidnapping.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In STOLEN BABY: THE MURDER OF HEIDI BROUSSARD, Heidi (Anna Hopkins) has a newborn. Her troubled friend Magen (Emily Osment) started faking her simultaneous pregnancy when her boyfriend broke up with her. Increasingly desperate, Magen claims she's had her baby a week after Heidi's is born, then does the unthinkable. To keep up her pretense and continue living with her boyfriend, Magen kills Heidi and takes the newborn, claiming it's hers. It takes the FBI and local police a while to catch up. Will Magen get away with her crime?
Is It Any Good?
This drama builds tension well, demonstrating yet again that Lifetime has the formula down for presenting dramatized true stories about the horrifying and shocking things humans can do to each other. The movie underscores how easy it is to cover over implausibilities with largely unbelievable lies. Magen's boyfriend accepts the lie that Magen is pregnant. Then, he accepts that she gave birth and was sent home the same day from the birthing center with an unusually large "newborn," all within a matter of hour while he was busy at work. Not much is made of the fact that Magen and Heidi became friends at Bible camp. It appears Magen did not take to heart the commandments regarding killing and theft.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the film's premise. Did it surprise you to learn this is a true story? Where could you go to learn more about the real crime?
When someone goes missing, it's standard procedure for police to investigate close family members, who are already suffering a great loss. How do you think you would feel if you were treated as a suspect in such a case?
With many "ripped-from-the-headlines" movies, viewers know the outcome before they start watching. Does that detract from the viewing experience? Or does learning in greater detail what happened enhance the experience?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 23, 2023
- Cast : Emily Osment , Anna Hopkins , Ian Lake
- Director : Michelle Ouelette
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studios : Netflix , Lifetime
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Moms )
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 27, 2026
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