Chapter 8 - THE VERDICT
The jury deliberated for three days.
Ryan was convicted on every major count.
First-degree murder.
Aggravated child abuse.
Unlawful imprisonment.
Fraud.
Forgery.
Conspiracy.
Financial exploitation.
Attempted guardianship fraud.
At sentencing, Claire’s sister spoke.
Then June.
Then Ethan.
He kept his statement short.
“You told my daughter no one was coming because isolation made you feel powerful. You were wrong.”
Mia wrote a statement but asked the advocate to read it.
“The cage was not the worst part. The worst part was everyone acting like the lock was normal.”
Ryan received life without parole plus consecutive financial-crime sentences.
Rachel received eight years.
Some people called it harsh.
Others lenient.
Mia asked only one question.
“Will she come back?”
Ethan answered, “Not unless you choose contact after she is released.”
“Do I have to choose now?”
May you like
“No.”
That became the most important answer.
