Chapter 20 - SANClA’S CHILD CASE
The inhaler case did not disappear because the property case narrowed.
Different issue.
Video.
Witnesses.
Medical record.
Child interview.
Sancia admitted:
She intentionally took the inhaler.
Intentionally threw it.
Knew Maelle had asthma.
Did not intend to cause serious harm.
Maelle developed acute respiratory symptoms.
No lasting injury.
Prosecutor negotiated misdemeanor child endangerment/battery plea.
Not attempted murder.
Not felony poisoning.
Proportion.
Sentence:
Probation.
Anger-management.
Parenting/family-boundary counseling.
Restitution for Maelle’s medical costs.
No direct contact with Maelle for nine months unless modified under a therapist-supported plan and with my written consent after minimum period.
No possessing or interfering with Maelle’s medication.
Obvious.
Then Sancia spoke at sentencing.
“I thought she used her inhaler to get attention.”
That was terrible.
Then:
“I understand now that even if I believed that, I had no right to remove medication.”
Better.
Then:
“I was angry at Radnor and at my mother and I used Maelle to express it.”
There.
Then judge:
“Children are not instruments for adult family accounting.”
Exactly.
Then my diversion.
Completed.
No conviction after conditions.
Restitution to Sancia paid.
I did not get to point at her plea and call myself righteous.
We both had physical consequences.
Different severity.
Different facts.
Separate.
Then Maelle asked:
“Does Aunt go jail?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Court chose probation and rules.”
“Is that enough?”
I looked at her.
“That is what court decided.”
Not burden child with sentencing philosophy.
Then:
“Can Juniper still come?”
May you like
“Yes.”
Her priorities were clearer.
