Small Sacrifices is a 1989 made for TV movie based on the real life events of Diane Downs , a mother who on May 19, 1983 at approximately 10:48 p.m drove to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital near Springfield, Oregon with a gun shot wound to her arm and claimed that an unknown assailant attempted to carjack her and shot her three children: Christie Downs, 8; Cheryl Ann Downs, 7; and Danny Downs, 3. (In the movie they are known as Karen, Shaunna and Robby). Her oldest daughter was a witness to her crime and lost her speech so she couldn't tell the real story, based on fear and shock, her youngest son was paralysed, and her middle child, a daughter, was killed and did not survive. The movie is based on the best selling true crime book by Ann Rule. “Telefilm” redirects here. ... Diane Downs (born Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, August 7, 1955) was convicted June 17, 1984 for the May 19, 1983 shooting of her three children: Stephen Daniel Downs (born December 29, 1979), Cheryl Downs (born January 10, 1976, died May 19, 1983) and Christie Downs (born October 7, 1974). ... is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... A Carjacking scene from the film Reservoir Dogs. ...

The film stars Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, Gordon Clapp, John Shea and Emily Perkins. The film was first aired on ABC on November 12, 1989. Farrah Fawcett (born February 2, 1947) is an American actress. ... Ryan ONeal (born Patrick Ryan ONeal on April 20, 1941 in Los Angeles, California) is an Oscar-nominated American actor. ... Gordon Clapp (born September 24, 1948) is an American actor, best known for playing the role of Detective Greg Medavoy for 12 seasons on the television series NYPD Blue, winning an Emmy Award in 1998. ... John Shea as Lex Luthor. ... Emily Jean Perkins (born May 4, 1977) is a Canadian actress, born in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...

The movie ends with Diane Downs sentenced to life in prison and her two surviving children adopted by the prosecutor who convicted their mother, (Fred Hugi and his wife Joanne) known as Frank and Lola Joziak in the movie. Later in the movie, it shows what happened to the kids about fifteen years later, seeing their mother for the first time in 15 years.