'Dr. Phil' show features Bigfork rape case

The “Dr. Phil” television show will feature a Bigfork teen rape case Friday at 4 p.m. on KPAX.

Dr. Phil McGraw, who uses the platform of his popular show to tell compelling stories about real people with a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems, will focus on Brianna Michlig, 25, who claimed she was raped by two boys a decade ago at a Bigfork post-homecoming party when she was 15.

One of the accused boys, Patrick M. Larson, acknowledged his guilt in a consent decree that placed him on probation until his 21st birthday. Charges were dropped against the other boy, Travis Reynolds, after Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan said he was not confident he could prove a case against Reynolds.

According to a show summary on the “Dr. Phil” website, when prosecutors initially refused to file charges, Michlig’s mother, Bridget, “coerced her into sharing her story with the national media, sparking backlash from her peers.”

The NBC news program “Dateline” aired a story in 2007 about the case.

The “Dr. Phil” website states that because of the national media exposure, Michlig “was one of the first teen victims to speak openly about her rape as a way of empowering other rape victims.”

McGraw will probe Michlig’s allegation that her mother “had an ulterior motive in getting her to speak out.

“Bridget insists she wanted to empower her daughter, because she felt they weren’t getting anywhere with the legal system,” the show summary details. “Does she take any ownership in the fallout that her daughter says she received? Bridget and her husband, Michael, say Brianna — who now has a 7-year-old son — has since spiraled out of control, and they fear for their grandson’s safety.

“They claim Brianna and her partner, Vickie, use drugs and that Vickie has been abusive toward the child — allegations both women deny,” the website further states, asking the question: “Is Brianna’s son in danger?”

Best-selling author Mitch Albom also will be featured on Friday's show as he shares a painful, personal experience that inspired his new book, “The First Phone Call from Heaven,” Albom will offer advice to Bridget and Brianna to help them “make peace” and work out their difference.