Chapter 16 - Claire’s criminal case
Prosecutors reviewed several theories.
Kidnapping generated headlines once reporters learned a child had been hidden inside a Carter residence.
It was not charged.
Why?
Megan voluntarily placed Eliza in Claire’s temporary care that morning.
Claire obtained that consent through deception about my knowledge.
Serious.
But she had not abducted Eliza from school or transported her by force.
The most provable conduct began after Eliza wanted to leave the maintenance compartment.
Claire locked the panel.
Kept her there.
Refused to open it.
Blocked me when I discovered her.
Approximately fifty-three minutes.
Food and water available.
No physical injury.
Child five years old.
Prosecutors charged unlawful restraint and child endangerment.
A felony-level endangerment count remained because of the child’s age and deliberate confinement.
Claire’s defense argued panic.
Temporary concealment.
No intent to harm.
All relevant.
None erased the lock.
Her separate twenty-two-month concealment of paternity was morally devastating.
Not automatically a crime.
She had no legal duty equivalent to a parent’s? Complex.
She had not forged a birth certificate.
No fraudulent adoption.
No false child-support collection from me.
She lied privately.
Helped maintain a deception started by Vincent.
Law does not criminalize every betrayal.
That frustrated some relatives.
May you like
Good.
Criminal law is not family therapy.
