GOODBYE, BABY

Paula Sims gained notoriety as a cold-blooded murderer after killing her two baby daughters. Her crimes left us grappling with the question—how could a mother do such a thing? After 30 years in prison, Paula finally shares her story.

The Film

Paula Sims reported a masked gunman kidnapped her baby daughter in 1986. The police and small town community believed her story, but when Paula reported another kidnapping three years later, no one was on her side. The high-profile police investigation led to a media frenzy that condemned Paula as a “Cold-Blooded Murderess”, “Baby Killer", and "Monster”—leaving no room to believe otherwise. She was ultimately charged with the death of both her baby daughters, 12-day old Loralei and six-week old Heather, and sentenced to life in prison.

While incarcerated, Paula drafted a bill with her prison cellmate that reduces a mother’s sentence if she can prove postpartum mental illness. The bill became law in Illinois in 2018, marking the first postpartum criminal legislation in the United States, and granting Paula parole in 2021.

Goodbye, Baby is a true-crime documentary that weaves together the key voices involved in her case, and Paula herself, now 62 years-old. By exploring postpartum psychosis, the film revisits Paula’s story and uncovers her truth after 30 years

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Director Statement

A mother is supposed to do everything in her power to protect her child, but what happens when a mother kills the very thing she’s supposed to protect and love the most? 

I first became interested in this topic when my cousin defended a mother in court who had killed her baby. I couldn’t understand how a mother could kill her child, but I wanted to find out why.

I investigated more and found out about Paula Sims’ story, one of the first highly documented cases of maternal infanticide in the US. 

After many months writing to Paula in prison, we filmed her release and sat down for an exclusive interview.

Meet the Team

  • Katya Berger

    DIRECTOR

  • Maria Chiu

    PRODUCER

  • Margaret Byrne

    CINEMATOGRAPHER

  • Baili Martin

    SOUND RECORDIST

  • Christine Cowin

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  • Ambra Reijnen

    EDITOR

  • Daniel Chalfen

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  • Dr. Susan Feingold

    MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH ADVISOR

  • Barry Lewis

    LEGAL ADVISOR

“The murder of a child by its mother is a subject both compelling and repulsive. The victim is innocent, but the perpetrator may be a victim, too.”

— Margaret Spinelli, Reproductive Psychiatrist