Chapter 14 - The letters
Emily had written letters to Lily during rehabilitation.
Not dozens.
Six.
Dictated partly to an occupational therapist when handwriting exhausted her.
The facility mailed two to Ryan’s home.
No response.
Four were held after Ryan requested that:
“all family communication be routed through counsel during custody review.”
The staff should have challenged that sooner.
They later admitted it.
One letter said:
Baby,
I am learning to walk farther. I think about you every day. I want to hear about school and whether you still hate peas.
That letter never reached Lily.
Another:
I am not gone. I am hurt and getting stronger.
That one became devastating evidence later.
Ryan’s attorney argued he had not personally opened every piece of mail.
True.
But an email from his assistant said:
Emily sent another letter for Lily. Do you want me to forward?
Ryan replied:
No. Hold everything until Dr. Stein agrees contact is appropriate.
Dr. Stein had never recommended total information blackout.
There.
Not kidnapping.
Not physical imprisonment.
May you like
Information control.
────────────────────
