Precious Victims

by Charles Bosworth, Charles Bosworth Jr.

In June 1986 the police in Jersey County, Illinois accepted Paula Sims's story of a masked kidnapper who snatched her baby girl Lorelei from her bassinet. Three years later her second newborn daughter suffered an identical fate and this time the police were unable to stop searching until they had discovered the whole, horrifying truth.

This is the full terrifying story of twisted sexuality and hate seething below the surface of a seemingly normal family, and of the massive investigation and nerve shattering trial that made the unthinkable a reality. Written by the lawyer who won the case and the reporter who covered its entirety, the reader is given a unique close-up of the riveting drama that unfolds, painting a dark picture of the depraved family who lived with a murderous secret.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, True Story

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Sims had 2 daughters Lorelei and Heather. Both were kidnapped as newborns by a masked gunman only to have their tiny bodies discovered days afterwards. Meanwhile her son Randy, a toddler, is much beloved by both parents. The police have no doubts Paula is the one who murdered both her babies with her husband's help, but can they prove it? Is a baby girl so unwanted it would make a mother do the unforgiveable twice?

This book was seriously good and well written. I was pulled in from the start. I think I stayed up until 4 am trying to finish it because I needed to know how it all ended. It is rare when you find a book that you care so much about all the people involved on the case. Well not Paula and Robert. I had zero pity for either one. Very gripping read.

🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm fairly certain I read this years ago. Either that or this horrid story was mighty prevalent in the news. Definitely not a whodunit, more of a reconstruction. The apparent homicide of two female babies is juxtaposed with the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers. Both uncanny but certainly not the same crime. Be sure to read the book with the 1993 update

2017 Lenten Buddy nonfiction Reading Challenge book #33

[Alisi ☆ wants to read too many books ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It grated on me somewhat, though.

I still feel the hubby must've known about that Paula did. Especially with that first girl. I'm sorry but a baby can't decompose that quickly. One week and it's already bones? Yeah, right.

And the police was fucking morons. They don't trust her, right? Yet they search, more or less, only where she tells them to. It takes them a week to say 'uh, we don't believe her, why don't we stop searching where she points and do an actual search of the entire grounds?' and then they find the baby in like 10 minutes. Really?

What truly knocked stars off this was simply the attitude and the weird, unprofessional things the authors just HAD to put in. It was bad enough that I felt my eyes would roll out of my head.

First there were the contradictions that were everywhere. One officer would say (as an example) that hubby was trying to get him to call the FBI, to get them to work more, etc. etc. and a couple paragraphs later another officer would say he wasn't doing anything. Or Paula would be crying according to one officer and the next paragraph, another officer would say she wasn't.

But what really bothered me was some of the more juvenile things the authors stuck in for no reason. The one that bothered me the most is that, when the police were searching the house, apparently they came across some photos taken of Paula in various stages of her pregnancy. Some were naked and had her posing. Inevitably, one of the officers would bring these out to show the other officers and they'd all say 'EW! GROSS!' This sort of thing was in this book several times.

You know what? I don't give a flying fuck if the officers thought she was ugly. I truly don't. Grow the fuck up. Something like that is normal, for one thing, and completely irreverent to the book for another thing. Having to read that once was bad enough but multiple times? Pft!

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This case actually happened near my hometown. I actually helped canvas the areas on the search

[Cammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre! Truth is stranger than fiction is this true crime narrative relating the deaths of Paula and Robert Sims’s two infant daughters.

[MightyA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. A lot. A true crime story, well written, and narrated (audiobook). I am definitely reading more books by these two authors (a journalist and a lawyer).

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this story, of course I do but I do not remember the book. Read it in 2004.
I did find that I thought it was worth the read but if I do not remember it it will not be a 5 star book. I will settle for 3.

eta How weird. it is not registered on Bookcrossing even though it says so and I can't find this book on my shelves either.

Where did my book go? .....

Update: September 9 2016
I decided to buy another copy because I recall it was quite good. Arrived today. Will change status to tbr

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

How a mother could kill her two young babies who were both less than 7 months old combined is so hard to fathom. Honestly this marriage was dysfunctional from the beginning. I can't believe the husband would have banned his wife from sleeping in their bedroom because she gave birth to a girl and he thought it was her responsibility to care for a daughter neither she or her husband wanted. There are two victims mentioned in this book called Lorelei (13 days old) and Heather (6 months) Sims whose lives were taken too soon and in horrible ways. This book made me feel these cases were both solved and unsolved at the same time. There was only enough evidence to prove that Heather Sims was murdered but not enough evidence to prove whether Lorelei was truly kidnapped then murdered or murdered by her mother. It also makes a person wonder if Paula was the only parent to kill these two girls. This book raises questions and doubts about if Robert Sims knew and had some part in his daughters' murders.

In the summer of 2015, Robert and Randall Sims, the only surviving child of the couple, both died in a car crash. They were 63 and 27 years old. It's sad how the truth not only died with with Robert about whether he was involved, but also the child the couple desperately loved and wanted who wasn't murdered died by another women driving who shouldn't have been. It's possible the couple's daughters might have been of some solace to Paula if they had lived. Instead she is now all alone in this world knowing that like she killed her own children another woman killed her son and ex-husband that she never stopped loving. Some people, and I'm included in this group, think this is karma and irony of the highest caliber for both Robert and Paula Sims.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious victims by Don W. Weber and Charles Bosworth Jr. is the true story of the investigation of the death of two baby girls Lorelei and Heather Sims who were claimed to have been snatched from their bassinets by unknown kidnappers. Told by the prosecuting attorney and a reporter, it gives us an interesting and complete account of the investigation. A fascinating, intense and well written account.

[BookLoversLife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this absolutely broke my heart!! How could a mother do this? I have 4 wonderful boys but I know I would never treat a girl any different than I do my boys.

I idn't know this story prior to going into it and while I was hesitant to read it because it deals with a babies murder, I said I'd give it a go. Oh my poor heart! Such an emotional read.

I had to google Paula Sims to see her because I thought an evil person like her would have to look evil, right! Not so much. If I didn't know what she did, I would have thought her normal. But she isn't, she is evil in it's truest form! How could she do a thing like she did, not just once, but twice!!! Sick, twisted, evil person!! And as for her husband, he was just as bad. I really think he should have been charged too because he had to have known something!!!

Anyway, this is a heartbreaking and chilling tale. I'm glad I listened to it, though I don't know if I can listen to another one about babies being killed!! It's too hard.

Kevin Pierce did a great job with the narration. He has a pleasant voice and one suited to reading these types of books!

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affects my thoughts.*

[Shelagh Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written true account of the story of a crime seemingly committed by the mother of two baby girls. When Paula Sims' newborn daughter is snatched in 1986 the circumstances are to say the least unusual, however when 3 years later her second daughter is snatched in almost identical circumstances the police have no choice but to think the unbelievable. This book reads like a novel but you know that it is all too real. Written by the lead prosecutor and a reporter who followed the case closely, it is rich in detail and closely follows the investigation and trial. A good one for fans of true crime or just anyone who wants to see a mystery unfold.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Information overload. I don't care to read about the criminals sleeping arrangements for 10 whole pages. What a shame after starting out so strong. This was just too legal-savvy. If you like reading about what is said in the actual courtroom, this is a good one. But not for me. Holy cow. Take it back. I don't want it. The only part worth reading was the first 1/4 - 1/3 of this book. Blah.

[Theresa]

True murder

This was a very well written book. It is one of the most reprehensible murders I have ever read about. This was written in good form with the investigation being first and the the trial without a lot of the legal talk some books are leaning towards nowadays. It also has a recent update to it which I have always liked.

[davida allyson james · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Truly mesmerizing account of the most heinous of crimes. Couldn't stop reading until i finished the book. Shocking, upsetting and unbelievable

[Cindi Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Although there was never a question in my mind of Paula Sims guilt the book keep my attention. Very well written and flowed smoothly. We will never understand why...

[Shirley Steiniger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written! This book had a little bit of everything you could imagine when it comes to crime. This story made me want to hug my children and grandchildren that much closer to me.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop thinking about how much I'd like to be able to wrap my hands around the necks of these evil bastards and squeeze until no life was left. I don't know what that makes me but honestly, I don't give a shit. These two "people" are beyond evil.
What I don't understand is how these two morons got away with murder? Because let's be clear here, they did get away with murder. They got caught the second time sure, but for three years after they're first daughter died they lived free. Free enough to have two more children and free enough to murder one of them.
I'm not going to say the police did a poor job with this case because all I know is what I read here. But I can say that if I can take this book at face value I'd have done a better job. A better job with the interrogation, a better job with the surveillance, a better job with everything with maybe (and I stress the 'maybe') the actual trial. Oh, there were mistakes.
But beyond that, I just do not understand and actually, I'm may be one of the fewer people on earth who could understand. I have a daughter and I literally prayed to God that although my main concern was a healthy baby of either sex, I desperately wanted a daughter. I've often joked that if I ever have a boy I'm taking advantage of the new laws and dropping him off in a safe place and moving on. I don't "do" boys. I don't like them. I don't understand them. I don't want to understand them. I don't want to mother one. Granted, if I had a son I'd love him just as much as I do my daughter. But hey, I'm fairly normal. But to hate a sex with such a passion that you'd murder your own female babies if beyond my understanding.
The Sims gave so, so, so many clues as to their guilt that I can't believe they weren't stopped sooner. The facts surrounding their first daughters death and the things said by the Sims' are just out of this world. The way Robert tried to get the cops to go away from, and not towards, where baby Loralei laid dead in the woods is enough for me alone. Paula saying she wanted to "be here when they bring her up" as the cops were searching her property is enough for me alone. Those are only two of the damning - or what should have been damning clues. They gave many, many more.
Pg. 302 talks about a snitch giving info to Sheriff Yocum and how this info could be of a big help to the court case. It wasn't included. Why? Because Yocum had "given his word" (let's not forget - to a snitch) that it would stay between the two of them. I have a number of questions here. 1. Why would a known snitch think that this is possible? Snitching is snitching. Case closed. 2. Why would Yocum give his word in the first place? 3. Why would Yocum care about his word when it comes to a snitch? 4. Why would anyone else care about Yocum's word to a snitch? Too many unanswered questions and it smells real fishy to me.
Chapter 27 tells how Paula's lawyer asked Don Weber (prosecutor and co-author of this book) "How much would you give to know the truth?" Weber got the truth apparently. The reader? No dice. Why include this little morsel? To gloat? I can see no other reason. I want to know the truth too. I want to know why two people felt it was okay to murder two little baby girls, throw one in some brush in the woods, the other in a goddamn trash can, tell wild, unbelievable stories about it, and then one of them get away with it for over three years and the other get away with it forever? WHY?????????????
The justice system is this rapidly declining country is going down the toilet and has been for a very, very long time. You know something is wrong with where you live when the criminal has more rights than the victim. When a person can repeatedly fail lie detector tests and walk free you have a problem. When a person can murder a baby and walk free you have a problem. When a person gets "mercy" because someone else asks for it, you have a problem. I could continue but I'll eventually have to go to sleep and sadly, this could go on for days.
A big part of me wishes I had lived during the "eye for an eye" days. A big part. I have a feeling crime wasn't then what it is now.
As a parting shot, I hope Robert and Paula Sims (and anyone who helped them perpetuate these lies) rots in hell. Before they actually get there I hope they live a life full of great sadness and torture and anything else vile and evil, as they are. I hope some little human part of them all remembers those babies faces and I hope they hear their cries. I hope it drives them insane. And I hope it never, ever goes away.... just like those babies can never, ever come back. When mercy is shown to Loralie and Heather then I'll *maybe* say a little mercy should/could be shown to these two monsters.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, yet compelling account of the deaths of two infant girls, 3 years apart, the investigations into those deaths, suspicions of the parents, and the subsequent trial of one of them.

Paula Sims was convicted of the murder of one of her infant daughters and sentenced to life without parole. Years later, she would talk about the post-partum depression that led her to kill both of them.

In a tragic side note - while looking for some more information on this case, I found news of the deaths of both Robert, the husband, and Randy, the son. They were killed in a car crash on the day before Fathers Day 2015.

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article...

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book must have been rushed out after the verdict, I've counted 5 typos/errors in the text! It's an interesting story, but I am disturbed by how all the responsibility fell on Paula Sims shoulders and no one held her husband accountable. It seemed to me he bore at least 50% of the responsibility for covering up the crimes if not actively participating in them. I'm sure this is not a common reaction but I actually found myself feeling sorry for Paula. 20 years later she's still in prison. Let her go already and reclaim the shreds of her life.

[Jlsimon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written, but so very sad. I cannot say it had the added bonus of letting me connect to any of the players. That always takes a little away from the story for me, but truth, you can't help but feel pity for Paula Sim's babies. Weber does a good job going in depth on the energy and effort it took to convict Paula for the murder of her 6 week old infant daughter. He further goes deeply into the trial. More back story would have been good. It is a heart breaking story. I would compare this work to Jerry Bledsoe.

[Sharon Brucks · Rating 1 out of 5]

The problem I had with this book was the prosecution (and author's) lack of humanity. These infants had been murdered, and here Don Weber was making jokes about dumping babies, playing mind games just to irritate people for no purpose of getting informatuon, and handing out English walnuts and telling people to save the shells as souveniers. This all went on while commenting on the lack of emotion by the killer, even while commenting that she sobbed or the father got angry, etc. I was just dismayed by the prosecutions apparent lack of professionalism and willingness to play games.

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating real life!

A well told,fascinating look into the realities of a family (despite the numerous typos)!
We will probably never know "the rest of the story"; but what was already proven in court by the persistent efforts of a crack, tenacious team brought satisfaction.
The surprise ending in 2015 was, indeed, karma at its best. This book was a good read--I couldn't put it down.

[Geoff Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

ghoulishly gripping! mr webber is a true hero, and i was with him from start to finish as he guided me from page to page through such a harrowing case! it's true when people say "you never know what truly goes on behind closed doors!!" Paula sims's story will most definitely keep you up late, as you ask the question why? why? why? sometimes the truth is terrible, and there's nothing more terrible than the truth within these pages! buckle up!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true crime book about a murder case in Illinois decades ago. Criminal forensics have come a long way since then, but the whole thing follows the narrative format of a Law and Order episode. It starts with the investigation, then follows the building of the prosecutor’s case and ultimately the trial. Information in the epilogues add additional details to the outcomes for this strange, sad family.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true crime story is every bit as captivating as any good legal thriller, including tension-filled courtroom drama. It's thorough and complete, expertly
narrated by Kevin Pierce. It's among some of the best true crime I've read.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read that when Mr. Migraine kept making me miss enormous pieces of information -- wait, they did find the body? Wait, WHO got killed in a car crash? -- it was more than worth it to go back and re-read. Super-weird, super-horrid case that will follow me for years to come. Very well written. Don't miss this one.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given this book 5 stars if it weren't for the poor editing. The book itself was interesting and well written, but the typos and other mistakes really detracted from this excellent story.

[Sheryl Maurer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chilling account of a story I hadn't paid much attention to at the time. Based on the account of the author I believe that justice was done. I wonder though if justice would have arrived sooner if the egos of law enforcement and the attorneys hadn't got in the way.

[Rodney L. Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be.

I did not know what to expect when I started this book . It was almost a lawyers text book. Different and unique. The book was detailed and well written.

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting

I remembered this case from years ago, and curious to learn exactly what happened. Now I know.
Well written and nicely done. Very easy to read.