Chapter 11 - Odelia’s voice
Odelia had her own lawyer?
No.
The court appointed a guardian ad litem after the relocation dispute intensified and the recording issue surfaced.
Her name was Patricia Monroe.
Experienced.
Quiet.
She did not ask Odelia:
“Who do you want to live with?”
Not like choosing ice cream.
She spoke with:
Me.
Caroline.
Odelia.
Teachers.
Therapist.
Nora.
Morwenna later under controlled circumstances.
Odelia told Patricia:
“I love Mommy.”
“I love Daddy.”
“I don’t want North Carolina because it’s far.”
Then:
“Grandma says Daddy is always working.”
“Is he?”
“Sometimes.”
“Who stays with you?”
“Nora. Grandma. School.”
“Do you feel safe?”
“Yes.”
“With Grandma?”
Long pause.
“Not now.”
That mattered.
Why?
“She makes me cry when she wants a video.”
Simple.
“Does she tell you to cry?”
“No.”
“What does she do?”
“She says Daddy might send me away.”
There.
“She throws my food.”
There.
“She says Mommy wants me more.”
There.
“She won’t let me call Daddy until I stop being a baby.”
There.
No coaching required.
Children can describe.
Patricia did not turn Odelia into the case.
May you like
She used her statements as one source among many.
Good.
