Chapter 16 - Noah speaks through records, not Lily
Investigators did not bring six-year-old Noah into Lily’s case unnecessarily.
He had already gone through interviews three years earlier.
Re-questioning him merely to strengthen a new prosecution could cause harm.
His mother objected.
Sarah agreed.
Instead prosecutors relied on existing records only where legally permitted.
Caseworker notes.
Preschool report.
Administrative decision.
Ryan’s testimony at Diane’s appeal.
That testimony mattered most for Ryan.
He could not claim:
“I had no idea Mom used confinement.”
He had sat under oath and defended it.
Then one old line from the transcript:
Caseworker:
Were you advised Diane should not provide unsupervised discipline to young children pending investigation?
Ryan:
Yes.
He had received actual notice.
Three years later:
May you like
He left Lily with her.
That elevated his conduct beyond naive deference.
