Here is the true story that inspired the movie.
Please visit the movies based on true stories database to see news footage and an interview with Randy Burt.
URL link: http://familysinsfrancesburt.blogspot.com/
from zimbio dot com:
Frances Burt is the real life mom who inspired the movie 'Family Sins'. Frances was a foster mother who tormented her children, beat them, and made them shoplift on her behalf. Frances Burt was eventually convicted on charges of kidnapping, extortion, arson, sexual assault, racketeering, welfare fraud and disability fraud. Burt was later convicted in 1994. Frances Burt was sentenced to 30 years, with 11 years to serve in prison and 19 years later suspended. Burt was released from prison in June 2001 and is now serving 19 years of probation.