Plot Synopsis

Using dramatic re-creations, first-person interviews, and family photographs, SHOCKING FAMILY SECRETS reveals real stories of deception, mystery, and scandal that are hidden just beneath the surface of what appear, from the outside, to be ordinary family lives. From kidnapped children reared in hiding, to married cousins, to fugitive moms, this series uncovers the deeply buried mysteries behind these twisted family betrayals and tearful family reunions, while revealing how -- and why -- these secrets were kept in the first place. Each one-hour episode features three stories, including: Nefertiti, who unravels the mystery of her nomadic childhood; Steve, who learns the truth about his birth mother; Ellen, who uncovers the reason for her tumultuous relationship with her parents; Julie, who has her life of wealth ripped away; a grieving father's secret; Richard, who finds out about his famous birth mother; and many more people with sensational family secrets.