Chapter 15 - Constance’s Plea
Constance pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment/unlawful confinement under a negotiated count.
No trial.
No serious physical injury.
No prior record.
She admitted:
She shoved Perry into the room.
Used the bolt.
Knew he was crying and asking to come out.
Did not believe he was physically unsafe.
Still wrong.
Sentence:
Eighteen months probation.
Thirty hours community service.
Parenting/grandparent boundaries course.
No unsupervised contact with Perry unless family court/parents later approved.
No use of confinement as discipline.
No jail.
She spoke at sentencing.
“I thought making a child stay in a quiet room until he calmed down was discipline.”
Then:
“I did not understand that the room had become part of a larger plan he did not understand.”
Good.
Then:
“I also should not have participated in preparing him for custody before his mother knew.”
There.
She looked at me.
I did not smile.
Then:
“I am sorry.”
No forgiveness required.
She left court.
No collapse.
No financial ruin.
May you like
Consequences.
Specific.
