Chapter 13 - Emma’s interview
Emma did not become our detective.
She was four.
That sentence became a rule.
A trained child interviewer spoke with her in an age-appropriate setting.
Neither I nor David sat in the room.
Emma said:
Daddy pushed Mommy.
Mommy fell.
Grandma said Mommy made Daddy do it.
Mommy made “two fingers.”
Emma ran to Grandpa phone.
Daddy ran too.
Orange made Daddy slip.
That was almost exactly what the video showed.
Then the interviewer asked whether Daddy hit Mommy before.
Emma said:
“No.”
Had Daddy yelled before?
“Yes.”
Had Daddy hurt Emma?
“No.
Had Grandma hurt Emma?
“No.
Did Mommy tell Emma what to say today?
Emma said:
“Mommy said tell truth.”
Good.
Then I made a mistake afterward.
When Emma returned to me, I hugged her.
Started crying.
Asked:
“Did you tell them Daddy pushed Mommy because of the money?”
Rebecca stopped me immediately.
“Sarah.”
I froze.
Leading.
I had inserted motive.
Emma looked confused.
I said:
“Never mind. Mommy asked that wrong.”
We documented it.
Told the interviewer.
That mattered because I refused to pretend I had been perfect.
The interviewer’s session had already ended before my question.
So the statement remained separately obtained.
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Still, I learned.
Children are not extensions of adult cases.
