Chapter 13 - LENORA’S CASE
Lenora faced a separate criminal complaint based on physically yanking Elsie from the chair.
The prosecutor did not invent kidnapping.
No prolonged confinement.
No attempt to remove the child from the building.
No serious bodily injury.
The strongest theory involved misdemeanor assault or child-endangerment/harassment conduct depending statute.
Video showed:
Grab.
Pull.
Fall.
She admitted it.
Her lawyer argued she intended only to move Elsie from the portrait position.
Intent to injure?
Probably not.
Intentional physical removal?
Yes.
The law could distinguish.
A temporary protective order barred direct contact with Elsie.
No family dinners.
No calls to the child.
No messages through relatives.
Lenora called that:
“exile.”
I called it:
“temporary safety.”
The judge called it:
May you like
“an order.”
Best wording.
