Chapter 9 - Daniel Bennett hits a child
The prosecutor reviewed my conduct separately.
Could I use force to stop Ryan after he struck Lily?
Yes.
Reasonable force to protect another person can be lawful.
Could I slap him once the brick had fallen?
Harder.
The video? There was a living-room security camera aimed at exterior entrance, and part of incident was visible.
It showed:
Ryan swings.
Lily falls.
I slap Ryan.
Brick drops around same moment.
I shove him several feet away.
No continued beating.
Ryan’s cheek bruise documented.
The prosecutor offered pretrial diversion on a misdemeanor child-battery allegation rather than litigating whether every movement fell within defense-of-others protection.
My lawyer said we could fight.
I chose diversion.
Anger-management course.
Parenting education.
No physical discipline.
Community service.
Six months without new offense.
Charge dismissed upon completion.
Claire asked:
“Why not fight it?”
“Because I hit him.”
“You were protecting Lily.”
“I protected Lily when I got him away from her. The slap was rage.”
She looked at me.
For the first time since the hospital, she nodded.
May you like
Not forgiveness.
Agreement with one fact.
