Chapter 7 - The Custody and Protective Orders
The discovery of the video changed everything.
Clara immediately filed for emergency protective orders on behalf of Lily and me. The judge, after viewing the video in a closed chamber, not only granted the lifetime restraining orders against Vanessa, Diane, and Robert, but he also did something unexpected.
He forwarded the video to Child Protective Services (CPS).
The following afternoon, two CPS caseworkers, accompanied by police officers, showed up at Mark and Vanessa’s house. Based on the clear evidence of Vanessa's extreme, unchecked violence toward a toddler and the family's coordinated effort to hide it, the state opened an emergency investigation into the safety of four-year-old Caleb.
Mark was given a devastating choice: either Vanessa had to immediately move out of the house and have zero unsupervised contact with Caleb, or Caleb would be placed in temporary foster care.
For the first time, Mark had to face the reality of the monster he had married.
Fearing the loss of his son, Mark complied. He packed Vanessa’s bags, forced her to leave, and filed for temporary sole custody of Caleb, citing her violent outbursts and the pending felony charges.
Diane and Robert were furious. They tried to post Vanessa’s bail, but the judge, seeing the video and recognizing the extreme flight risk and witness intimidation tactics they had used, set her bail at an astronomical five hundred thousand dollars, requiring her to wear an ankle monitor and surrender her passport.
The Hale family was crumbling from the inside out.
One night, Ethan’s phone rang. It was Mark.
Ethan answered, putting it on speaker. This time, there was no anger in Mark’s voice. Only tears.
"Ethan..." Mark sobbed. "I saw the video. The prosecutor’s office showed it to my lawyer. I... I didn't know. I mean, I knew she had a temper, but I didn't know she threw it. And Mom and Dad... they made me lie for her. They told me if I didn't support her, she’d take Caleb and I’d never see him again."
"They lied to you, Mark," Ethan said, his voice soft but firm. "They've been lying to all of us our whole lives."
"I’m divorcing her, Ethan," Mark said, his voice cracking. "I can't let her near Caleb. I can't believe I let her near Lily. Please... tell Sarah I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry."
May you like
Ethan looked at me. I nodded slowly.
"Thank you for doing the right thing for Caleb, Mark," Ethan said. "We need time. But... thank you."
