TWENTY-ONE BOXES: Robin's Story and the Tragedy of the Edenton Seven

by Betsy Hester, Robin Couto

In 1989, the Little Rascals Day Care in Edenton, North Carolina, was suddenly thrust into the national spotlight. One day, the owner's husband disciplined a boy at naptime, and soon an angry mother suggested that it was more than just a slap. Rumors quickly morphed into charges of unimaginable crimes against dozens of little children. Panic consumed the town, as the police, therapists, and parents relentlessly pressured the children who attended the day care to name their teachers responsible for multiple allegations of abuse. The Edenton Seven were caught up in the accusations, including nineteen-year-old teacher Robin Boles Byrum. She spent nearly a year in jail under an enormous bond meant to pressure her to "tell the truth" while she had a new baby at home.  Eerily reminiscent of the hysteria that gripped Salem, Massachusetts, during the witch trials of the seventeenth century, the Little Rascals case ultimately became the longest and most expensive criminal trial in North Carolina history. 

Three decades later, Betsy Hester met Robin Byrum Couto and together, they joined forces to tell the truth. In this book, Betsy shares insights from legal and medical experts and reveals the facts from twenty-one boxes and bound testimonies from the courtroom long since buried away. Intertwined with the case history is Robin's never-before-told story of her harrowing journey through the court system. Finally, this book serves as a modern-day warning about the danger of mass hysteria and the consequences of a judicial system that blindly refused to hear and seek the truth.

Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2024

Reviews

[Lew Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Couto, youngest of the Edenton Seven, has a terrifying but ultimately uplifting story to tell -- and author Betsy Hester is right there with her. The brutal injustices suffered by the defendants in the Little Rascals Day Care case will take your breath away -- and make you agree that the Edenton Seven deserve their exoneration from the State of North Carolina....

[Amy Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book written from one of the Edenton Seven. Her story, her truth, her life before, during, and after this terrible injustice. I could not put this book down.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading “Twenty-One Boxes”, I felt like I was right in the courtroom, an observer to the gripping events unfolding. The strength, courage, and pain of Robin are palpable in every page, making the story resonate deeply.

Despite the horrific subject matter, I’m grateful that Robin’s story has been told. I knew going into it that the case involved accusations of child molestation at a daycare and being a mother myself, it wasn’t an easy read. But, we must set aside our discomfort because what Robin and her family went through deserves an audience. Ignoring these stories means ignoring the resilience and bravery required to confront such profound injustices.

I commend Betsy Hester and Robin Couto for their immense courage and perseverance in bringing this narrative to light, ensuring the truth reaches everyone. “Twenty-One Boxes” isn’t just a book you pick up and put down; it is an experience that demands your undivided attention. It deserves more than just five stars, but twenty- one.

Kathryn Hofman

[Kathy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was very well written. I could not put it down. At times I was tearful and am so glad Betsy and the courageous Robin Couto joined forces to tell this story. A must read!

[Megan Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betsy Hester, aka Mama H, was my high school English teacher and is undoubtedly one of the most impactful people I’ve had the opportunity to learn from. My class, like so many before and after ours, was taught about “The Crucible” during our time in Mama H’s class. All these years later, I still remember how passionate she was in teaching us the lessons of the play…how in the end all we ever really have is “our name.”

The praises for Mrs. Hester’s first book cannot be sung enough. While I knew of stories from the 1980s of the “satanic panic,” I had never heard of the story of the Edenton Seven before she began promoting her book. This was the longest and costliest trial ever held in the state of North Carolina. Mrs. Hester wrote this book to tell the story of this modern day witch hunt that should have never happened and how quickly people can fall victim to conspiracy theories that bear no evidence. She told the story of the youngest of the accused, Robin Byrum, who was put in an impossible situation as a teenager and young mother. The parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and the Edenton Seven are unbelievable. Mrs. Hester did an excellent job connecting the two.

I’m thankful to have had an opportunity to attend an author’s talk featuring both Mama H and Robin. This story is one that will sit with me for a long time. I pray that Robin and the others accused will one day receive their public exoneration and apology from the state of North Carolina.

[Brittany Armstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my high school English teacher. That alone is why you should read this book. This woman has been an inspiration to many over the years and a lot of us wouldn't be where we are now if it wasn't for her wisdom, guidance, and love of teaching. She partnered with Robin Couto to tell Robin's story from a long time ago that still has a major impact on a small town where my husband is from - Edenton, NC. Robin, age 19 and pregnant at the time, was accused and arrested on charges of child sexual abuse along with 6 others from the Little Rascals Daycare in 1990. Apparently, there was a satanic ritual abuse hysteria going on at the time across the nation. This case was mishandled in so many ways by every official involved and it is compared to the Salem Witch Trials. The children in this story were basically encouraged to lie and tell their parents, therapists, prosecutors, etc. what they wanted to hear about the workers at the daycare. Rumors ruin lives, but the truth will always prevail. Thankfully, she was exonerated, but unfortunately, she was in jail for almost a year away from her newborn son all because of lies that started from the mouths of babes encouraged by adults who only wanted to see the worst in the people they trusted to take care of their children.

[Nell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent heart wrenching story of falsely accused daycare workers in a small North Carolina town that gained nationwide attention. Still the most costly trial in NC history. Book correlates with Salem witch trials and is written by a former high school English teacher who taught The Crucible for critical thinking. Shows everything that is wrong with the justice system. Cowritten by one of the "Edenton Seven" who were at the center of the case. Well written and interesting from page one. A difficult subject matter (abuse) handled well.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it's the true story of a tragic injustice that occurred in my hometown during my childhood. Trust me, you couldn't live in Edenton and not know someone that was impacted by the trials of the Little Rascals Day Care employees.

All in all, I'm sad to say that mass hysteria like that of the Salem witch trials is alive and well today. People haven't changed much; just the situations in which we find ourselves. I'm relieved that those who were accused, charged, and tried are free today.

[Amanda Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to high school with Robin and we both had babies a few weeks apart. I remember all of this happening and just couldn’t believe it about her. The Robin I knew was always such a nice person and would never hurt anyone especially children. Reading this bought tears to my eyes for all who were involved. My heart breaks for Robin and I am so happy she is such a strong woman who has a wonderful life now. I love
you girl ❤️

[Devon Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the passion behind this book! It helps that I also know the author personally and know the heart and soul she put into it. So thankful to have had someone like Betsy mentor me through high school and continue to show up for those around her! The book is a great piece on the reality of the trial as well as telling the true story of Robin.

[Stephanie Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a good depiction of the events of the Little Rascals Day Care scandal and all the players involved. It was so well-written and such an insightful look at the power of suggestion in kids by respected adults. Hands-down, one of the best books I have read in a long time!

[Leigh Milbourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-One Boxes is a must read!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was hooked from the beginning. Such a compelling deep dive into the Little Rascals case, woven together with Robin’s personal narrative. Heartbreaking and anger-inducing for the injustices that occurred! An excellent read that really gets to the TRUTH!

[Larry Noe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, just horribly disturbing. What was done to those poor people was just awful. did not love the last quarter or so because it was mostly trial testimony being read. Did not need the section on her ancestry either.

[Danielle Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing recount of the most expensive trial in NC history!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaw dropping miscarriage of justice.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the reading of this book. I suggest this work to anyone that had to deal with false allegations or more. You are not alone. The Edenton Seven have a definitive ally here with me.

[Alyson W · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing must read! I could not put it down. So many emotions! I pray the Edenton 7 will one day get the justice they all most definitely deserve.

[Bree Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazyyyyy and so sad