Chapter 9 - THE CHAIN CASE
Margaret’s criminal case was simpler than the fertility lawsuit.
Evidence:
The chain.
The cuff.
Photographs.
Sophie’s account.
Rachel’s observations.
Margaret’s own statements.
And the slap.
She had deliberately restrained an eight-year-old to force continued chores and physically struck her when she dropped the basket.
Prosecutors charged conduct supported by state law.
Not kidnapping theatrics.
Not attempted murder.
Child endangerment and unlawful restraint-related conduct, along with assaultive behavior, were addressed proportionately.
Margaret eventually accepted a plea agreement.
She received a sentence reflecting her age, lack of prior criminal record, seriousness of restraining a child, physical assault, and need for protection.
A custodial component was suspended under conditions.
Probation.
Mandatory counseling.
No unsupervised contact with Sophie.
Compliance with child-protection restrictions.
I gave a statement.
“My mother made Sophie believe belonging had to be earned through labor.”
Then:
“She punished an eight-year-old for an adult secret that existed before Sophie was conceived.”
Margaret cried.
I did not ask the court to destroy her.
May you like
I asked the court to take seriously what she had done.
It did.
