Episode Summary: "Mackenzie Undercover: The Mom-fish"

Podcast: The Dating Detectives
Hosts: Mackenzie Fultz & Hanna Anderson
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Episode: Mackenzie Undercover: The Mom-fish

1. Introduction to the Case

In this gripping episode, The Dating Detectives dives deep into a disturbing case dubbed "The Mom-fish." Mackenzie Fultz, a seasoned private investigator, uncovers the troubling actions of a mother suspected of manipulating her child to defraud insurance companies.

Notable Quote:

Mackenzie [10:05]: "It's gonna piss everyone off. And I was like, I don't know if I should tell this one on the podcast..."

2. Surveillance and Initial Observations

Mackenzie provides a detailed account of his surveillance work. Assigned to monitor a mother claiming both herself and her four-year-old child were injured in a car accident, he begins by observing the child's activities at daycare. Contrary to the mother’s claims of severe injuries, Mackenzie notes the child’s active and unhindered play.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [12:16]: "This sweet little baby just runs around the playground, no cast, no sling, nothing I can observe."

Hanna [14:50]: "If he can do the monkey bars, he's doing better than me."

3. Uncovering Potential Fabrications

The plot thickens when Mackenzie follows the mother to an Independent Medical Exam (IME) appointment. He witnesses her instructing her child to "act like it hurts," manipulating the child's behavior to appear injured. Mackenzie documents the discrepancy between the child's previous active state and the sudden use of orthopedic devices during the IME.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [18:03]: "She says, 'You gotta make it look like it hurts.' And everything was like, my heart fell into my butt."

Hanna [23:00]: "He wipes them off, he's like, mom, yeah, I don't want this anymore."

4. Analysis of Behavior and Motives

The hosts discuss the possibility of the mother’s actions aligning with Munchausen by Proxy—a condition where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a child for attention or financial gain. However, Mackenzie emphasizes that in this case, the primary motivation appears to be financial.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [24:48]: "This is 100% money, which is so messed up."

Hanna [25:32]: "It's not technically Munchausen by proxy."

5. Unveiling a Troubling Past

Further investigation reveals the mother's troubling history, including multiple charges related to child abuse and neglect. Mackenzie highlights a particularly alarming incident where the mother left a two-year-old child unattended in a car for two hours while she obtained drugs, risking the child’s life.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [29:13]: "Guess who has a record. Not one, two, three, but four charges of child abuse, child neglect, and child endangerment."

Hanna [31:05]: "Like, how did she even know it was out of gas if she couldn't get in? I guess it just stopped running. But still."

6. Legal and Ethical Implications

The episode delves into the complexities of surveillance and reporting in such sensitive cases. Mackenzie explains his obligations and the limitations of his role as a private investigator, including the challenges of acting as a mandated reporter and the repercussions of not intervening sooner.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [40:16]: "I have no idea. All I know is that if...the child wasn't being hurt, there was no immediate danger."

Hanna [42:25]: "You need... But what do I do? Say, yeah, this guy's walking down the street talking to himself."

7. Aftermath and Current Status

Ultimately, the mother's actions lead to her arrest for DUI manslaughter, while the child is placed in the care of a responsible relative. Mackenzie expresses his frustration over the systemic failures that allowed the mother to continue her deceit despite her alarming history.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [34:43]: "But the reason the mom is incarcerated is due to a DUI manslaughter. No way it took her killing somebody."

Hanna [36:39]: "And obviously she doesn't really care about her kid because if she was willing to put him through surgery."

8. Reflections and Listener Engagement

Towards the episode's conclusion, Mackenzie and Hanna reflect on the emotional toll of such cases and the importance of community support in combating deceit in personal relationships. They encourage listeners to share their own stories and experiences, fostering a sense of solidarity against "dogfish"—a term they use to describe deceitful individuals in the dating world.

Notable Quotes:

Mackenzie [47:15]: "I want to know if any of our listeners have experienced something with a parent. Have you been dogfished by your parents..."

Hanna [51:37]: "And also, I just love the conversation there, hearing everybody's... not that we can legally give advice, but it's so much nicer to have a support system."

Key Takeaways

• Spotting Red Flags: The episode underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing manipulative behaviors, especially those involving loved ones.

• Ethical Boundaries: It highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by private investigators in balancing client obligations with moral responsibilities.

• Systemic Failures: The case reveals significant gaps in the system's ability to protect vulnerable children from recurring abuse and neglect.

• Community Support: Emphasizes the role of community and shared experiences in identifying and combating deceitful individuals in personal relationships.

This episode of The Dating Detectives serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals may go to deceive others, highlighting the necessity for awareness and proactive measures in safeguarding oneself and loved ones from such manipulations.