Girl in the Window - Dani

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, looks up from the bubbles and bath foam, doing one of her favorite activities, her daily bath.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, has a new family now, and a new chance at life thanks to her brother WILLIE, 10, and parents DIANE and BERNIE LIEROW.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, on the half hour drive south to horse therapy, Dani, 9, stares out of the window of her family's SUV, while her brother WILLIE, 10, tries to provoke a giggle through tickling her. Willie was used to living like an only child, with his four older brothers already out of the house, but his selflessness and their closeness in age, has led them to develop a unique brother-sister bond.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, was removed from her biological mom's house at the age of 7, she was still wearing a diaper and being bottle fed. Part of the therapy she receives involves learning how to perform simple daily tasks, like scooping food up with a spoon and using a fork to stab at some of her favorite foods, green beans and tater tots. She has also graduated to eating solid foods. Her brother WILLIE, 10, watches her progress.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, on the right with GARET WHITE. White an Adoptions Care Manager for Camelot, fought for Dani's health and well being in court because she 'didn't want her to slip through the cracks.' White and Dani, 9, have a bond that extends back a few years, and Dani now feels comfortable enough with White to be able to hug her, and share moments like touching heads with her while watching a video. Even though it's a small gesture, it's huge in Dani's world to be able to trust someone enough to get close to them.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, reading. 'Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?' squawks the talking children's book as Dani gets help pushing down the buttons which speak the words on each page. 'I see a red bird looking at me,' it says, answering its own question. The Brown Bear book is one of Dani's favorites, and the one she always chooses to use during speech therapy lessons.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Plant City, Florida, USA - 'I love that little girl, she's my life,' said MICHELLE CROCKETT, Dani's biological mom, who had her parental rights terminated after Dani was removed from her home because of neglect. 'When they took her, a third of me disappeared. I have a third of my heart for each one of my children and it's gone. But she's my baby and she needs me the most, and I need her. Because without her life don't have much meaning.'

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Plant City, Florida, USA - The house where Danielle Crockett, now Dani Lierow was rescued from on July 13, 2005. A child abuse investigator finds Danielle and is so horrified she flees the house, crying. A rookie cop retches. And a detective takes the 6-year-old from her mother, straight to the hospital.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Plant City, Florida, USA - A picture of Dani Lierow from the hospital July 2005. One of the first things biological mom Michelle Crockett did when moving into her new mobile home in Plant City was hang a photo-copied picture of her daughter Dani on the wall. Still sparse and white, three other pictures of Dani have been tacked up on the walls throughout, along with a cross.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press

Feb 03, 2008 - Fort Myers, Florida, USA - Born Danielle Crockett, now DANI LIEROW, 9, on the beach with her parents BERNIE and DIANE LIEROW. In the blink of an eye, Dani can switch from happily building sand castles at the beach to running around and throwing a violent fit that her parents need to calm her down from. Her moods are unpredictable and unexplainable, and her parents Bernie and Diane just try to calm Dani down with a reassuring voice, letting her know that she is safe and everything is OK.

PLEASE NOTE: ON Apr. 20, 2009 - The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Featuring Writing was Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times staffer for her amazing words that brought to life the moving, richly detailed story of this neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who since was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing: The Girl in the Window. The Danielle 'Dani' Lierow Story, Coming Out of the Cocoon is a beautiful tender picture essay by Melissa Lyttle that accompanied the text, it was the zReportage.com - Story of the Week # 224 - Week of August 12, 2008 - Go To http://www.zreportage.com/COCOON/index.shtml to see full story pictures and for more text/video go to http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/. STORY OVERVIEW: No one has any way of telling what lies behind Dani's big brown eyes and vacant stare. For the first seven years of her life, Danielle never saw the sun, felt the wind or tasted solid food. She was kept in a closet in a Plant City, Florida apartment, cloistered in darkness, left in a dirty diaper, fed only with a bottle. 'She was a feral child,' said Carolyn Eastman of the Tampa Heart Gallery. 'We'd never seen a case like that.' (Credit ANY Usage: © Melissa Lyttle/St. Petersburg Times/ZUMA Press)

Melissa Lyttle, St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press