Chapter 9 - Justice Served
The legal proceedings were overwhelmingly one-sided. Facing decades in federal prison for defrauding the Department of Defense, wire fraud, and child endangerment, both Ross and Gwendolyn took plea deals.
Ross was sentenced to twelve years in a federal penitentiary without the possibility of early parole. Gwendolyn, for her part in the financial crimes and the physical abuse of Casey, received an eight-year sentence.
During the family court hearing, the judge didn't even need to deliberate. He looked down from his bench at Corinne, his eyes filled with respect.
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"Mrs. Hardy, what was done to you and your daughter is one of the most heinous acts of domestic psychological warfare I have seen in my career on the bench," the judge said. "I am granting you full, sole legal and physical custody of Casey. Ross Hardy is stripped of all parental rights. A permanent restraining order is in effect. He will never be allowed near you or your daughter again."
The gavel slammed down. It was the loudest, most beautiful sound Corinne had ever heard. The nightmare was officially over.
