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Note: Tune in to the end of the episode for some breaking news on this case.This series started as a whodunit about a menacing cyberstalker. But in reality, it turned into something else... something far more disturbing. We may all be witnessing medical child abuse in real-time. Munchausen by proxy is a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care to seek attention or sympathy.BINGE ALL 13-EPISODES AD-FREEPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, we investigate who may be responsible for the harassing messages sent to the Rodriguez family. The postal inspector and the detectives assigned to the case have their sights set on the oldest daughter, Logan, but at this time, there are no official suspects, and no one has been charged.One thing we can say for sure is that there is no evidence that Dr. Gressman or the husband is involved in any way. Whoever is behind these messages is someone living inside the Rodriguez family's house.It's also worth noting that the Instagram accounts used by the stalker were created using the Rodriguez's IP address and were created before their disabled adult daughter, Chelsea, ever became a patient of Dr. Gressman. With seven people living in that house, there are six possible suspects. In today's episode, we'll be narrowing it down to two.This podcast contains explicit language and mature content that may not be suitable for children.BINGE ALL 13-EPISODESPatreonListen to the entire season. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Examining the Evidence: Is Someone in the Rodriguez House Responsible for the Stalking?As the investigation into the cyberstalking of the Rodriguez family continues, new information has come to light about the possible culprit. To uncover potential leads, an ethical hacker was brought on to investigate all parties involved in the case, including the alleged stalker, Dr. Grace Gressman, and her husband, John. After a thorough search, it was determined that both the doctor and her husband had no unusual internet activity and were unlikely to be the stalker.However, when the hacker turned their attention to the Rodriguez family, they found something curious. Logan, the oldest adult child of Claudia and David Rodriguez, had 5 active devices. Mishaal Khan, a cyber-security expert, says, "While it may be normal for someone of Logan's age to have multiple devices, it is unusual for someone to have so many." Naturally, this raised some suspicions, but no concrete evidence was found to pinpoint a suspect.At this point, it is clear that John Gressman cannot be the stalker. But with the investigation at a standstill, questions remain about who is behind the threatening messages. Is it possible that Claudia is orchestrating the Stalking herself to gain attention? Could it be her husband, David, or one of their adult children? These questions will be explored in today's episode as the PRETEND host interviews Logan to learn more about her multiple devices.BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Munchausen by Proxy Accusations: Is the Rodriguez Family Stalking Themselves?This series started out as a story of cyberstalking, but it has taken an unexpected turn. In the latest episode, we delve into the allegations that Claudia Rodriguez suffers from Munchausen by proxy. This criminal act involves intentionally making one's child sick to gain attention. However, the Rodriguez family fiercely denies these accusations, calling it victim blaming. Instead, they insist they are like any other family dealing with disabled children.Are the Rodriguezes Responsible for Their Own Harassment?The detective on the case has revealed some disturbing new information. The Instagram accounts used to harass the Rodriguez family were created months before they were even the doctor's patients, and the IP addresses all point back to their own home address. This raises the question of whether the Rodriguezes could be behind the Stalking.To help get to the bottom of this case, we listen in on a conversation with the detective and bring in an ethical hacker and cybersecurity expert to thoroughly investigate all parties involved. Will the ethical hacker uncover any new evidence that can shed light on this complex and confusing case? BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the show.Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Grace Gressman speaks out about the Rodriguez family stalking caseIn today's episode, we finally hear from Dr. Grace Gressman, the woman at the center of the Rodriguez family's cyberstalking saga. Despite having her statements in the police report, Javier calls her up to get her side of the story. To everyone's surprise, she picked up the phone.But that's not all. To get to the bottom of this case, Javier also confronts the alleged stalker himself. It's a bold move that could potentially reveal the true identity of the person behind the threatening messages that have terrorized the Rodriguez family for years.What does Dr. Gressman say about the allegations against her and her husband? And what does the stalker have to say when confronted by Javier?BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Rodriguez Stalking CaseThe Rodriguez family has been the target of a cyberstalker for over three years. Despite their efforts to involve the police and find help, the stalking has continued until this day. In fact, the detectives and postal inspector assigned to their case have even accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite their claim of her having a solid alibi. However, the stalker has identified himself as Dr. Gressman's husband, John Gressman.Recently, the Rodriguez family received a voicemail from a detective working on their case. The detective stated that Dr. Gressman was the actual victim in this investigation and that the threatening phone calls made by the cyberstalker were produced inside Rodriguez's home. The detective also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and that Dr. Gressman and her husband are not suspects.Despite this, the Rodriguez family is convinced that John Gressman is behind the Stalking. Claudia Rodriguez stated, "He scares me. He scares me, and they already think I'm the one doing it. And I feel I'm one step away from having the cops visit here."In the latest episode of the "Pretend" podcast, the tension between the Gressman and Rodriguez families reaches a boiling point. The host even attempts to go toe-to-toe with the stalker to provoke a reaction and potentially reveal their identity. However, as the case continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this situation is complex, confusing, and far from over.BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cyberstalker Resumes Harassment of Rodriguez Family, Targets Infant DaughterAfter months of peace, the cyberstalker who has been tormenting Claudia and David Rodriguez for years has returned. This time, the stalker has directed his rage toward his own infant daughter, causing great concern and fear for the child's safety.Rodriguez Family Reports Alleged Abuse to Child Protective ServicesIn response to this disturbing development, the Rodriguezes have reported the alleged abuse to child protective services. They've also contacted the medical board in hopes of stripping Dr. Gressman from her medical license. This situation is maddening. The Rodriguezes hoped to find a sense of normalcy and safety. Instead, more fear and uncertainty have consumed everyone's lives.It's unclear at this time what actions child protective services will take, but it is clear that the Rodriguez family is not backing down. BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Stalker part 5Claudia and David Rodriguez have five children, four of whom are adults, and most have severe medical or mental health issues. Two of their adult children are so disabled that the Rodriguezes have guardianship over them, meaning they have no rights. One child has undergone multiple surgeries, including spinal cord surgery, brain surgery, and stomach stoma surgery.The Rodriguez family has faced accusations from their daughter's neurologist, Dr. Grisman, accusing Claudia of having Munchausen by proxy, a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care. Claudia vehemently denies these claims, stating that she is a mother who would do anything for her children and that others shouldn't judge her unless they have been in her shoes.Despite their claims of innocence, the authorities suspect that Rodriguez's oldest daughter, Logan, is the one sending the Stalking messages. However, Claudia and David say this is impossible as Logan was in a mental health facility without access to any devices when the Stalking started up again.In this podcast episode, we discuss this complex and confusing case that poses the question, who is behind these threatening messages?BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rodriguez Family Fights to Prove Daughter's Innocence in the face of Stalking AccusationsFor over three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez have been dealing with the terror of being stalked. Despite their efforts to involve the police and get help, the Stalking has continued to this day. In fact, the detectives and even the postal inspector assigned to their case have accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite her claiming to have a solid alibi.BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, Discovery+, & Netlfix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Victims to Suspects: The Bizarre Turn of Events in the Rodriguez Family's Cyber Stalking CaseIn the world of cyberstalking, it's not uncommon for victims to have an idea of who their perpetrator might be. It could be an ex-partner, a disgruntled employee, or even an obsessed friend. But for Claudia and David Rodriguez, the situation was much more complex. For the past three years, they've been the victims of a cyber stalker who claims to be the husband of their daughter's doctor, a man they've never even met. The messages started off benign but quickly turned sadistic and threatening. Despite their efforts to report the harassment and seek help from the authorities, the Rodriguez family faced disbelief and suspicion. In this podcast episode, we'll explore the mysterious case of the Rodriguez family's cyber stalker and how a simple IP address couldn't provide all the answers.BINGE ALL 10-EPISODESPatreonListen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.Support PRETEND on PatreonPRETEND+ on Apple PodcastBinge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the showSubscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple PodcastFollow Pretend on social media:TwitterTikTokYouTubePRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices