Gypsy-Rose decided to run away to Dan's farm in Arkansas. On the night of her planned escape, she packed a few of her costumes (as she didn't possess regular clothing) and some money she had taken from her mother. Upon reaching the house of Dan's friend, where Dan was staying, she found out that he was on parole and was unable to leave Missouri.

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Discloses Failed Escape Attempt and Events Leading to Dee Dee’s Death
Dee Dee managed to locate Gypsy-Rose at the house of Dan's friend. She convinced Gypsy-Rose to come back home by promising that she would be allowed to see Dan. However, this turned out to be a deception, merely a tactic to bring Gypsy-Rose back. Gypsy-Rose recounts that upon returning home, her mother restrained her to the bed with handcuffs for two weeks, deprived her of food, and destroyed her laptop and cell phone. She also mentions that Dee Dee continued to be physically abusive following this event, often resorting to hitting her.

Gypsy Rose thought she would try to flee her home again in 2011 and packed a bag. When Dee Dee found it, she confronted Gypsy-Rose about her plans to run away. Gypsy-Rose then grabbed a gun her mother had purchased. “And before I knew it, I pulled the trigger as many times as I could,” Gypsy-Rose says. She realized seeing her mother’s superficial wounds that the gun was actually a BB gun, which made her feel relieved “because I did not intend to kill her.” Gypsy-Rose says she surprised herself by even pulling the trigger.