Chapter 12 - Vanessa’s criminal case
Vanessa entered a plea on the child charge months later.
Video? We had no direct indoor recording.
Evidence:
My eyewitness account.
Sophie’s statements.
Scalp tenderness.
Damaged teddy.
Vanessa’s admission that she forcibly tried to remove the bear.
Defense contested hair pulling.
Prosecutor offered:
Plea to misdemeanor child endangerment/battery.
No jail recommendation beyond suspended time if no prior record.
Vanessa accepted.
Sentence:
Twelve months probation.
Forty hours community service.
Parenting/anger-management course though she was not Sophie’s parent.
No contact with Sophie during probation unless court later authorized and I consented.
Restitution:
Medical cost minimal.
Replacement/repair cost irrelevant because bear belonged to Sophie and was repaired.
No prison.
Then obstruction?
Prosecutors declined a separate evidence-tampering charge because at the moment Vanessa tore the bear, no formal investigation had begun and proving she knew the USB was evidence of a crime would be difficult.
Morally ugly.
Legally narrower.
Then marriage.
I filed for divorce.
Prenup.
Property division.
No instant financial destruction.
Vanessa kept her separate assets.
Received whatever marital property agreement entitled.
May you like
Wedding ring handled under ordinary marital-property law.
No confiscation because she hurt Sophie.
