National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect co-founder developing screenplay based on life story

Denver (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019) — Lori Poland, co-founder of the National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect (EndCAN), has teamed up with film producer and screenwriter Heather Robinson-Ross to develop a screenplay based on her soon-to-be-published memoir. Robinson-Ross has optioned the film rights to Poland’s story through her production company, Feisty Fox Productions. The two Denver natives are co-writing the screenplay together.

Poland’s kidnapping and rescue when she was just three years old received national and international attention. She was abducted from her front yard in Sheridan, Colo, abused and taken to an outhouse in the mountains. After three and a half days alone below ground and near death, Poland was rescued by birdwatchers. Poland has gone on to become a motivational speaker and therapist. She recently co-founded the nonprofit foundation called EndCAN, for short. She and co-founder Richard Krugman, MD, launched EndCAN to bring the power of a national organization to unite survivors, expand child abuse prevention programs, invest in treatment and research, and support the many organizations working to end child abuse and neglect. Poland’s incredible story of survival and ultimately identifying her kidnapper while bringing him to justice is just a small part of her journey which will be highlighted in the screenplay. 

Robinson-Ross and Poland have a unique bond. Robinson-Ross was molested by Poland’s kidnapper weeks before he abused Poland.

 “Not a day goes by that I don’t think that it could have been me. I count my blessings that this brave little girl was able to identify her kidnapper while ultimately bringing me closure,” said Heather Robinson-Ross, film producer and screenwriter. “As an adult, Lori is bravely shining a light on abuse and neglect and I am honored to be part of this journey.”

 Robinson-Ross is known for her Universal Pictures film, “The Perfect Man”, which was based on her life as a teenager growing up with a single mom in Tucson, AZ. The film starred Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear and Chris Noth.  Learn more at http://feistyfoxproductions.com and  http://heatherrobinson.me.

About EndCAN

EndCAN works to change the way child abuse and neglect is addressed by focusing on the health, mental health and public health issues of abuse. EndCAN helps survivors, thrivers and transcenders of abuse by uniting voices. The Foundation works with others to expand funding for research, training, prevention and advocacy. Learn more at endcan.org.

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