CHAPTER 3 — THE WOMAN WHO SOLD CHILDREN
The rescue made national headlines.
More victims came forward.
Former foster children.
Neighbors.
Even retired social workers.
One name appeared again and again.
Margaret Ellis.
Owner of the foster home where Clara had spent almost two years.
On television...
she looked harmless.
Gray hair.
Soft smile.
Bible in her hands.
She called herself a woman devoted to helping forgotten children.
But investigators uncovered something horrifying.
She wasn't protecting children.
She was selecting them.
Children with no close relatives.
Children unlikely to be searched for.
Children who disappeared between placements.
Every child carried the same burned symbol.
A brand.
Not punishment.
Inventory.
When Margaret was arrested, she denied everything.
Until Clara agreed to testify.
The courtroom fell silent as the eight-year-old walked to the witness stand holding Emily's hand.
The judge smiled gently.
"You can take your time."
Clara nodded.
Then she looked directly at Margaret.
"You told us nobody loved us."
Margaret remained expressionless.
"You said if we talked..."
"They'd bury us where nobody could hear us cry."
Several jurors wiped away tears.
Clara slowly turned around.
She lifted the back of her shirt.
The courtroom saw the scar.
Nobody spoke.
The prosecutor didn't need another question.
Margaret finally lowered her eyes.
Three weeks later...
the jury returned.
Guilty.
On every count.
Life without parole.
As deputies led Margaret away...
she looked at Clara one final time.
Clara didn't look back.
May you like
She was already walking toward Emily.
Toward home.
