Grandfather Finds His Three-Year-Old Granddaughter Locked Behind a Garden Gate—Then Learns Why Her Stepmother Needed Her to Look “Unstable”
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Chapter 15 / 27
Chapter 15 - Olivia’s evaluation
A court-appointed specialist assessed Olivia.
No coaching.
No dramatic interrogation.
Play-based sessions.
Parent observations.
Grandparent observation.
Records.
The evaluator concluded:
Olivia had normal grief-related attachment needs for a child who lost her mother very young.
She had a strong bond with me.
Also with Daniel.
Her distress had increased during:
Unpredictable transitions.
Adult conflict.
Punitive separation.
The report did not say:
Grandpa is perfect.
It criticized me too.
I sometimes arrived early.
Brought gifts after difficult exchanges.
Comforted Olivia in ways that could unintentionally undermine parental transitions.
Fair.
May you like
I changed those things.
Accountability is easier when you stop believing only villains need it.
