The Fronczak Files
The Fronczak Files is a true crime podcast that investigates the abduction of Paul Fronczak, the abandonment of Jack Rosenthal, and the disappearance of Jack's twin sister Jill. In April 1964, a woman disguised as a nurse kidnapped a one-day-old infant from a Chicago hospital, sparking a massive manhunt. Co-hosted by Paul Jack Fronczak and Tracey Hastings, the series delves into the decades-long search for answers, identity, and justice, presenting raw and unfiltered truths from the source.
Episodes
Help Us FIND Her | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 9
A kidnapper. A cold case. A call to action.In the Season 4 finale of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey bring together everything currently known about the team’s new kidnapping suspect: Marcelle. We’ll walk you through every known location connected to her, explore maps of 1960s Chicago, and ask for your help in uncovering the truth.Who was Marcelle? How did the actions of one woman in 1964 ripp
Profiling a KIDNAPPER | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 8
A new suspect. A psychological profile. A search for the truth.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey take a deep dive into the world of infant abductions, examining the behavioral patterns, motivations, and psychological profiles of those who steal children. Armed with official research and historical data, the investigation turns toward a new suspect: Marcelle.Who typically abduc
A NEW Suspect | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 7
A plea for help. A search for answers. A revelation that changes everything.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Doyle Batey, the younger brother of Billy Ray Baty. Through Doyle’s memories, a complicated portrait begins to emerge: one that fills in missing pieces surrounding the 1964 kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak.Who was Billy Ray Baty? What did Doyle reveal a
The Arkansas CONNECTION | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 6
In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey follow a clue hidden in plain sight: the surname Baty. What begins as a simple question…where did the name come from?…leads the investigation hundreds of miles from Chicago to Blytheville, Arkansas.As they trace records, timelines, family connections, and forgotten histories, a network of people connected to the real Paul Fronczak kidnapping b
The Shadow of CORRUPTION | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 5
Corruption. Conspiracy. Lies.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey take a deeper look at Marlin Johnson, the head of the FBI’s Chicago office and the principal investigator in the kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak. But Johnson’s story stretches far beyond the walls of Michael Reese Hospital. His name was tied not only to one of Chicago’s most infamous kidnappings, but also to the
The Trail Goes COLD | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 4
Tips. Leads. Dead ends.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey continue tracing the Chicago Police Department’s investigation into the kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak. After a surge of public tips, witness interviews, and possible suspects, the momentum begins to fade, and the search for Paul’s kidnapper slowly stalls.What strategies did investigators use to find baby Paul? How m
VOICES From 1964 | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 3
Tips. Suspects. Eyewitnesses. In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey continue their deep dive into the original police case file on the kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak. Through eyewitness statements, public tips, and the suspects pursued by Chicago detectives, the chaos of 1964 begins to come into sharper focus.What did witnesses at Michael Reese Hospital reveal about the woman
The KIDNAPPER’S File | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 2
Police files. Eyewitness descriptions. A kidnapper hiding in plain sight.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey open the Chicago Police Department’s original case file on the kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak. Through handwritten notes, typed reports, and eyewitness accounts, the file reveals the chilling movements of a woman bold enough to walk into Michael Reese Hospital and tak
The Day He VANISHED | The Fronczak Files S4 Ep. 1
Kidnapping. Case files. Unanswered questions.In the Season 4 premiere of the Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey open the Chicago Police Department’s original file on the kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak, and begin reconstructing the day that changed everything. For the first time, they reveal a minute-by-minute timeline of the events of April 27, 1964, tracing the moments before, during, and after
S3 Bonus Episode: The MAN Behind the Podcast | The Fronczak Files
Kidnapping. Abandonment. Searching. In this bonus episode of The Fronczak Files, Tracey interviews Jack about his early life, finding out his true identity, and the development of the podcast.What was Jack like growing up? How did he handle the news that he wasn’t biologically related to Dora & Chester Fronczak? And how does Jack conceptualize his lost twin, Jill? Join The Fronczak
The WRONG Suspect | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 9
Kidnapping. Family. Questions. In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey revisit the life of Alice Suane Baty, a woman once believed to be a suspect in the 1964 kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak. But after new biographical details emerge through a family connection, the investigation takes a dramatic turn and a long-held theory begins to unravel.Who was Alice Suane Baty? W
FRAUD Behind the Name | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 8
Kidnapping. Chaos. Deception.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey unravel the haunting story of Kevin Ray Baty, “the real Paul Joseph Fronczak.” His life was shaped by confusion, secrecy, and a false identity that followed him from the very beginning. What emerges is not just a story of deception, but of a life built on a lie. How was Kevin raised? What forces shaped the man
The Woman Behind the LIE | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 7
Lies. Crime. Deception.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey step into the shadowy world of Lorraine Arnold Fountain, the woman who raised the kidnapped Fronczak child. Through a closer look at her family history, criminal record, and the places she lived, a darker portrait begins to emerge, one that brings new depth to the mystery of Paul Joseph Fronczak’s abduction.How many time
The MISSING Pages | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 6
Questions. Secrets. Cover-Up.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey turn to biological family members in search of answers about the Duncan and Rosenthal roots. Sean and Toni Anderson, two of Jack’s cousins, share a long-missing family context, offering new insight into the people whose choices shaped this story.What was Jennie Noga Duncan really like behind closed doors? How did S
Legacy of SILENCE | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 5
Alcohol. Secrets. Abuse. In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we dig deeper into the troubling life of Jack and Jill’s biological mother, Marie Duncan Rosenthal. Our research reveals a woman shaped by instability, isolation, and substance abuse, forces that may have set the stage for the devastating choices that followed.Why did Marie conceal the existence of her first child in 1958? How did the
Appalachian ASHES | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 4
Disruption. Hardship. Fracture.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey dig into Jack’s maternal roots, a family story shaped by strong Polish Catholic ties, isolation in the Tennessee mountains, and the post-war boom in Ohio. Together these forces helped mold Marie Duncan Rosenthal.What pushed the Duncan family to leave Tennessee for Ohio? Who became involved with an evangelical TV
BURIED Without Tears | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 3
Trauma. Pain. Horror. In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we turn our focus on Jack’s biological father, Gilbert Rosenthal. As we trace the path of his life, we uncover a story shaped by poverty, relentless physical pain, and an escalating hunger for control.How does a man enlist in the military while facing what may have been a serious medical condition? How does he endure chronic pain while h
POISONED Roots | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 2
Love. Scandal. AbandonmentIn this episode of The Fronczak Files, we continue our walk through Jack’s family tree with a deeper look at his paternal lines. As we trace these branches, we uncover deep religious roots, stark cultural divides, and a beginning marked by turmoil.Why would a man choose circumcision in adulthood? Why would a woman drink poison in front of her husband? And what drives a ma
Case Files OPENED | The Fronczak Files S3 Ep. 1
Secrets. Lies. The making of monsters.In this Season 3 premiere, The Fronczak Files takes you back to the beginning. While many know about the 1964 kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak and Jack’s abandonment in Newark, few understand the full scope of Jack’s genetic beginnings, and what they reveal. For the first time, we will walk through Jack’s full family tree, starting with his immediate Rosent
S2 Bonus Episode: Training DNA Detectives | The Fronczak Files
Emerging technologies. Cold cases. Long-awaited breakthroughs. In this bonus episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Cairenn Binder, Assistant Director of the IGG Center and Director of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program at Ramapo College. Cairenn breaks down how civilians trained in investigative genetic genealogy are helping unlock decades-old cold case
SOLD at Birth | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 10
Children sold. Memories buried. Identities erased.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey uncover the disturbing truth behind Dr. Katherine Cole, a physician who operated an illegal baby adoption ring from the 1930s through the 1960s. Countless children were trafficked through her network, many of whom would later come to be known as “Cole Babies.”They are joined by Bob Lightner, a
UNKNOWN Identity | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 9
A baby abandoned. A secret buried. A chance to uncover the truth.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team speaks with Kris, a woman who was abandoned as a newborn in a wooded neighborhood area and adopted shortly thereafter. Years later, her adoptive parents shared what little they knew of her earliest moments, leaving Kris with a lifetime of unanswered questions. Follow along as the team u
BURIED Without a Name | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 8
A shallow grave. A glass eye. Decades of unanswered questions.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey examine the 1981 cold case murder of Jack Lachow. Known for years only as “One Eye,” his identity remained a mystery for nearly three decades. Though his name was finally restored, the truth behind his death remains elusive.Who was Jack Lachow? What kind of life did he live? And who
BREAKING THE SILENCE: A Brother’s Burden Part Two | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 7
Unanswered questions. DNA testing. Long-awaited results.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team continues their conversation with activist and abuse survivor Logan Gifford. After years of uncertainty, Logan will finally receive the DNA results that may confirm the paternity of his younger brother.Join the TFF team as they:• Reveal the DNA findings • Provide an update on the case’s ongoing
BREAKING THE SILENCE: A Brother’s Burden Part One | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 6
A period of abuse. A child born. A question of paternity.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with activist Logan Gifford, a man searching for truth through DNA. Logan has long suspected that the younger brother he grew up with may in fact be his biological son, a possibility born from years of abuse and silence.Join Jack and Tracey for the first part of this powerful co
VANISHED: The Disappearance of Colin Gillis | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 5
A remote highway. A last sighting at a party. A young man who never made it home.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey take a closer look at the disappearance of 18-year-old Colin Gillis, who went missing on March 11th, 2012 from Tupper Lake, NY. Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Reconstruct the events leading up to Colin’s disappearance • Explore the leading theories in the case• S
Mistaken Roots: When DNA Tells the Wrong Story | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 4
An unexpected DNA result. A leading genealogy company. A story derailed by incorrect analysis.How would you react if an over-the-counter DNA test delivered life-altering information, only for it to be wrong? In this episode, The Fronczak Files team sits down with a family who lived that exact nightmare as they fought to uncover their real genetic story. Join Richard, DeAnna, and Sierra as they sh
On the Road with the Foundling- Part 2| The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 3
The conversation with The Foundling co-author Alex Tresniowski continues, this time, diving deeper into the extraordinary lengths Jack went to uncover the truth.Join Jack, Tracey, and Alex as they revisit Atlantic City, the place where it all began, and reflect on the moments, discoveries, and emotions that shaped this incredible journey.In this episode, we journey with Alex as he recounts:• The p
On The Road With The Foundling | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 2
Jack and Tracey sit down with The Foundling and True Identity co-author, Alex Tresniowski.What was it like to write The Foundling as the story was still unfolding? What moments never made it to print? And what was it really like meeting Jack’s biological family for the first time?In this episode, Alex takes us behind the scenes to share:• The journey of writing The Foundling and True Identity• Wha
Mistaken Identity | The Fronczak Files S2 Ep. 1
When a man’s face bears an uncanny resemblance to the age progression of kidnapped baby Paul Fronczak, his life is turned upside down.Determined to uncover the truth, he begins a journey to find out who he really is. What will he discover? Is he the missing Fronczak child? And if not… then who is he?In this episode, we follow Sam Miller through the unexpected twists and turns of his search for ide
S1 Bonus Episode: The Unanswered Files | The Fronczak Files
Questions linger. Theories remain. In this special bonus episode, Jack and Tracey revisit Season 1 to shed light on the most frequent listener questions, and offer new insight into the unanswered details of The Fronczak Files.💬 Tell us where you’re tuning in from🔔 Subscribe for Season 2🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus
Season 2 Trailer
Join us for the premiere of Season 2 on October 28th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 Bonus Episode: The Women in the Shadows | The Fronczak Files
In 1964, baby Paul Fronczak was stolen from a Chicago hospital. Decades later, Paul was finally found, but the mystery of the kidnappers remains.Who were the women behind this shocking crime? What were their backgrounds, and what led them to take a child?In this bonus episode, we uncover hidden details, including:• The criminal records of those tied to the kidnapping• Their unexpected connections
Meet the Team | The Fronczak Files Ep. 9
From DNA to archives, every clue has been pursued together. In Episode 9: Meet the Team of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey highlight the collective effort—the experts and collaborators who joined them in piecing this investigation together.💬 Tell us where you’re tuning in from🔔 Subscribe for Season 2🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon memb
The Theories | The Fronczak Files Ep. 8
The crimes have been uncovered. The witnesses have spoken. Now the team asks the hardest question of all: what really happened?In Episode 8: The Theories of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey begin to piece together the season’s discoveries.Why was baby Paul kidnapped? Who played a role? And who abandoned Jack and Jill? In this episode, we explore:• Possible mob ties to the kidnapping• The Duncan
The Investigation Pt. 2: Shadows of Jill | The Fronczak Files Ep. 7
Jack returns to Atlantic City, still searching for answers.In Episode 7: The Investigation (Part 2) of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey continue the hunt for Jill.What were Marie and Gilbert truly like behind closed doors? Could the abandoned lots of Atlantic City be hiding any long-buried clues? And most haunting of all- what really happened to Jill? In this episode, we explore:• The Rosenthal
The Investigation Pt. 1: Someone Knows Something | The Fronczak Files Ep. 7
A seemingly ordinary middle-class family. A shocking truth beneath the surface.In Episode 7: The Investigation (Part 1) of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Nino Perrotta, private investigator, to reveal the extraordinary lengths the team will go to expose the inner workings of the Rosenthals.For years, the family has tried to bury the truth. But the team leaves no stone unturned.
The Answer Pt. 2: Science’s Role in Finding Paul | The Fronczak Files Ep. 6
A baby stolen. The hunt to locate him, decades later. Utilizing federal databases and resources in hopes of a breakthrough.In Episode 6: The Answer (Part 2) of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Dr. Angela Williamson to discuss her experience as a forensic DNA specialist. How can missing persons be identified? What type of person kidnaps an infant? And how should cold cases be work
The Answer Pt. 1: Finding the Real Paul | The Fronczak Files Ep. 6
A baby stolen. A shocking DNA discovery. A search for the truth that only leads to more questions. In Episode 6: The Answer (Part 1) of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down once again with genetic genealogy expert CeCe Moore to unravel the unbelievable journey of identifying the stolen Fronczak baby. After decades of searching, the boy is finally located—but the answers only open new myste
The WITNESS: A Babysitter’s Chilling Account | The Fronczak Files Ep. 5
A knock on the door. A mother’s strange request. A terrified pair of twins hidden upstairs.In this haunting episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracy speak with Susan Woolard, a babysitter who, in 1965, was pulled into a disturbing household secret in Pitney Village, New Jersey. Her memory is vivid. Her guilt has never left. What she reveals may be the last eyewitness account of Jack and Jill
The Reveal: The DNA Detective Who Found Jack | The Fronczak Files Ep. 4
A stranger’s email. A shrinking database. A second chance to find out who Jack really is.In this pivotal episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack is joined by CeCe Moore, world-renowned DNA detective known from The Genetic Detective, and Carol Rolnick, the tireless researcher who was the first to say: “I think I found your family.” What unfolds is the turning point in the mystery: the moment they stop
The Discovery: The DNA Test That Changed Everything | The Fronczak Files Ep. 3
The Test. The Silence. The Truth. A simple over-the-counter DNA kit. A quiet kitchen conversation. A decision that would change everything.In this revealing episode of The Fronczak Files, Paul finally confronts the truth he’s always suspected: he’s not the Fronczaks’ biological son. What begins as a personal journey spirals into a media storm and a national search to find the real Paul Fronczak. A
The Abandonment: Their Son Was Kidnapped | The Fronczak Files Episode 2
A Phone Call. A Black Eye. A National Manhunt. 🔍True Crime • Unsolved Mysteries • Identity Discovery • Foundling Case • FBI Cold CaseTwo years after a newborn was stolen from Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, a single unexpected phone call reignites a family's fading hope—and unravels one of the most shocking true crime stories in U.S. history.In this powerful episode of The Fronczak Files, Paul
The Kidnapping
In 1964, a woman disguised as a nurse walked into a Chicago hospital, took a newborn from his mother’s arms, and vanished. The baby was never seen again… until a 10-year-old boy found a box of newspaper clippings hidden in a crawlspace. That boy was Paul Fronczak.The Fronczak Files isn’t just a true crime podcast. It’s Paul’s firsthand account of a mystery that shattered his identity and changed h
Season One Trailer
In April 1964, a woman disguised as a nurse walked into a Chicago hospital room and took a one-day-old infant out of the the arms of a young mother named Dora Fronczak. That day, Chicago police kicked off the biggest manhunt in the city's history in an effort to find the kidnapped "Baby Fronczak." Weeks passed without any sign of the kidnapper or the infant. Two years after the kidnapping, the cas
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