Mary Bell was born in
1957 in
England. She killed two children, committing the first murder when she was 10 years old and was convicted of manslaughter in
1968 She was released from prison in
1980 and was granted anonymity to start a new life (under an assumed name) with her daughter. This daughter did not know of her mother's past until Mary Bell's location was discovered by reporters. The daughter's anonymity was originally protected until she reached the age of 18.
However, on May 21, 2003, Mary Bell won a High Court[?] battle to have her anonymity and that of her daughter extended for life.