Chapter 15 - The Verdicts
The jury deliberated for two days.
Sophie and I waited at home.
I did not bring her to court for the verdict.
She was building a blanket fort in the living room when Detective Ruiz called.
Mark was convicted on every major count.
Child endangerment.
Chemical restraint.
Evidence fabrication.
Conspiracy.
Attempted custodial kidnapping.
Medical fraud.
Witness manipulation.
Obstruction.
Participation in my mother’s death.
Evelyn was convicted of operating the criminal program and ordering Diane’s intimidation.
Nathan was convicted after his plea.
Dr. Reed was convicted of medical assault, fraud, and involvement in Jacob’s death.
Judge Voss was convicted of corruption, kidnapping conspiracy, and obstruction.
Several attorneys and child-services workers later received separate convictions.
Mark was sentenced to seventy-two years.
He would not be eligible for release until long after Sophie became an adult.
Evelyn received life imprisonment.
Dr. Reed received fifty-six years.
Voss received forty-one.
Nathan received twenty-eight.
Jenna Cole received a reduced sentence after providing the backup server.
At sentencing, Mark asked to address me.
The judge warned him not to intimidate or blame.
He looked toward the camera connected to the private room where I watched.
“I loved Sophie.”
My entire body went rigid.
He continued.
“I made mistakes because I was trying to protect my relationship with her.”
The judge stopped him.
“No.”
“You do not describe a multiyear conspiracy as a relationship mistake.”
Mark’s microphone was turned off.
I did not give a victim statement about my marriage.
I spoke about Sophie.
“She was taught that love meant keeping secrets.”
“She was taught that discomfort continued until an adult decided she had obeyed enough.”
“She was taught that her own memory belonged to someone else.”
“She is now learning the opposite.”
“Her body belongs to her.”
“Her words belong to her.”
“Her no means stop.”
After the sentencing, Sophie asked whether Mark was coming home.
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
She became quiet.
Then she cried.
Children can miss dangerous parents.
Love does not disappear simply because truth arrives.
I held her without correcting the feeling.
May you like
“You can miss him.”
“You still do not have to be near him.”
