Chapter 13 - Vivian says Nora wanted to stay
Vivian’s defense evolved.
She admitted staging the park disappearance.
But claimed:
Rachel had become unstable and threatened to flee with Nora.
Vivian believed she was protecting the child.
Then after Rachel died, Nora became attached to her.
She claimed Nora repeatedly said:
“I want to stay with Aunt Vivian.”
Could a child in confinement develop attachment to captor/caregiver?
Yes.
That would not make confinement lawful.
Then defense released selected drawings allegedly made by Nora:
House.
Two female figures.
Words:
Aunt V
Could suggest affection.
It did.
Nora had complicated feelings.
She did not hate Vivian every minute.
Vivian fed her.
Read books.
Brought medicine.
Sometimes slept in hidden room beside her when she was sick.
That complexity would matter psychologically.
It did not convert a locked room into a home.
Then medical care.
Had Nora ever seen a doctor?
Twice.
Vivian took her to urgent-care clinics under false name:
Nora Hale
No relation to Detective Hale.
Common surname.
Cash payment.
Once for ear infection at age four.
Once for skin rash.
She claimed child was visiting niece from out of state.
No ID required for minor? Clinics collected guardian info but accepted self-report.
Records later matched.
Vivian had not allowed vaccinations because records could expose identity.
No school.
Home instruction.
No friends.
No sunlight except occasional backyard at 2 a.m.? Nora said once or twice she stood near basement door at night.
Then Vivian said:
“I kept her healthy.”
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Doctors disagreed with “healthy.”
Alive was not the standard.
