Chapter 20 - MARA IS SENTENCED Eight months after Sophie was discovered, Mara stood before the judge.
She had no serious criminal history.
She had provided basic care for Sophie.
But she had hidden a child in a wall.
She had interfered with investigators.
She had withdrawn her from school.
She had considered financial leverage.
The judge sentenced her to eighteen months, with ten suspended.
Eight months to serve.
Two years probation.
No unsupervised caregiving of minors during probation.
Restitution for Sophie’s therapy and emergency care.
Mara cried.
“I loved her.”
The judge looked at her for a long moment.
“I don't doubt that.”
Then:
“But love does not give you permission to make a child afraid of the world.”
Sophie didn't attend the sentencing.
We didn't tell her everything.
We said:
“Mara is going away for a while because adults decided some things she did were unsafe and illegal.”
Sophie asked:
“Is she bad?”
Emily answered carefully.
“She did bad things.”
Then she added:
“She also cared for you.”
Sophie frowned.
“That doesn't make sense.”
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“No,” Emily said.
“Sometimes people are complicated.”
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