Starred items are not directly part of the Baran story, but are included to provide historical or social context. The names of all the child witnesses have been changed.
The name of the man accused of sexually abusing Peter Hanes has been changed. In Salem, Massachusetts, 9-year-old Elizabeth Parris and year-old Abigail Williams scream blasphemies, fall into trance-like states, and shake with convulsive seizures. Weeks later, physicians state that the girls are under the influence of Satan. They accuse three women of afflicting them. Before the Salem Witch Trials are stopped, 20 innocent people will be executed.
The Massachusetts General Court declares a Day of Contrition to repent for the hysteria-driven destruction of May 26, Bernard Baran is born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. July 4, At age 15, the future Julie Hanes leaves home after her mother throws a knife at her, beats her, and breaks several of her ribs at a family picnic. The Revere Sex Panic. Authorities discover that two teenage males have been having sex with men for money at a Revere, Massachusetts apartment. The media creates massive hysteria, inciting rumors of international child-sex rings.
May 13, Virginia Stone is born to Marsha Stone Lopez. November 6, The only one of the six children that Baran had much contact with was Peter Hanes, the first and most important accuser. James leaves soon after Peter is born, and his cousin, David , moves in with Julie and Peter. David and Julie are both addicted to drugs and prone to violence.
June, June 4, Gina Smith is born to Judith and David Smith. July, She tells him she refuses hospitalization because there is no one to take care of Peter and she would miss out on cocaine that night at home.
