Hedda Nussbaum (born August 8, 1942) is an American woman who was a caregiver of a six-year-old girl who died of physical abuse in 1987.
"[1] Supporters characterized Nussbaum as a victim of horrific domestic abuse at the hands of her live-in partner, Joel Steinberg.
Before meeting Joel Steinberg in 1975, Hedda Nussbaum had been an editor and author of children's books at Random House publishers, and before that at Appleton Century Crofts.
Neighbors later stated to police they believed that Nussbaum and Steinberg were active participants in a "some kind of a sexual sadomasochistic game.
Nussbaum also suggests that her "numbness" further reduced her ability to think and act clearly, akin to "Stockholm syndrome", a mental state wherein victims identify with their abusers.
Nussbaum remained alone with the dying child for roughly ten hours, failing to notify police or medical personnel.
She agreed to testify against Steinberg, and medical examination revealed that Nussbaum was anemic, malnourished, and suffering from broken bones and chronic infections.
Nussbaum's courtroom testimony against Steinberg earned substantial media attention, due in part to her face showing obvious evidence of physical trauma.
After serving sixteen years at the Southport Correctional Facility, where he was held in protective custody, Steinberg was released on parole in 2004 and got a job in construction.