Chapter 21 - THE PLEA OFFER
Prosecutors offered Aurelia a plea.
Admission:
She knowingly confined Elliot and Clara inside a hot vehicle for disciplinary/coercive purposes.
She was aware the cabin was dangerously warm.
She ignored a temperature warning.
She intended to pressure Elliot into complying with her demand.
No claim she intended serious bodily injury.
No attempted murder.
No kidnapping theory stretched beyond facts.
No claim Clara was targeted for disobedience.
Charges resolved through:
Child endangerment-related count.
Unlawful restraint involving Elliot.
A separate reckless-endangerment count involving infant Clara.
Recommended sentence:
Custodial component shorter than sensational relatives wanted.
Probation.
Parenting/boundary intervention.
No contact with children initially.
Restitution for medical and therapy costs.
Aurelia refused one phrase:
“For coercive purposes.”
She wanted:
“During an escalating disciplinary dispute.”
The prosecutor said:
“You told him he would remain until he obeyed.”
Her lawyer looked at her.
Take it.
She did not.
Why?
Because admitting coercion would destroy the story she had told herself.
May you like
That she was simply keeping children stable.
Trial.
