Chapter 10 - The Staircase Case
Miranda faced serious criminal exposure for the staircase incident.
Not attempted murder.
The evidence did not support a claim she intended Daphne to die.
The staircase was carpeted.
Daphne fell several steps before I caught her.
Miranda’s words—
“Go join your dead mother.”
—were horrific and relevant to intent and emotional cruelty.
But prosecutors did not convert a cruel sentence automatically into an attempted-homicide charge.
The charging theory centered on intentional assault of a child and reckless endangerment created by kicking her near a staircase.
Security video was clear.
Guests corroborated.
Daphne’s injuries were fortunately limited.
Miranda’s attorney argued the kick was intended as a shove away from the landing, not to send Daphne down.
The footage made that hard to accept completely.
The case did not resolve quickly.
Meanwhile, a temporary protective order barred Miranda from contacting Daphne directly.
No approaching her school.
No entering my residence when Daphne present.
Communication about pending family matters through counsel.
I supported.
Daphne asked:
“Is Miranda going jail?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do I have to talk?”
“Only with the people your lawyer and therapist say you need to talk to.”
Yes.
Daphne had a guardian ad litem appointed for certain proceedings touching her interests because adult conflicts were multiplying.
I welcomed it.
She needed one person in the legal system whose job was not:
Garrick.
Miranda.
Divorce.
Embryo.
Reputation.
Only Daphne.
Powerful parents should want independent eyes when their child is in the middle.
May you like
If they do not, perhaps they fear what those eyes will see.
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