The Judge is a little bit more than upset, and I can understand it’s coming from the parent site of him more than the judge side. Judge Thurgood makes a few phone calls, first is to the County jail. He asked about the woman there and is informed that she’s out cold possibly drunk or on some narcotic. The Judge orders them to take her to the hospital for blood work and observation. His next call is to child protective services and they’re going to send a caseworker out here as soon as possible.
By the time the Judges finished we have search the house and no one is missing a child. I do have to ask another couple to leave. I also have our sisters and the coach help maintain the situation in the house. I have them go by the boat house and see Sam maybe one of them recognize her and knows her mother.
After Sam finishes eating and getting a large glass of milk, she’s curled up into Kathryn’s lap and has promptly fallen asleep, but still holds to Kathryn. Everyone around agrees Sam is a little Angel, but no one knows who her mother might be. Kathryn is becoming more protective by the second and seeing the two of them together I know she’ll be a great mother.
I pulled the Judge over to the side and tell him what Sam asked for, if Kathryn could be her mommy if we couldn’t find hers. I tell we’ll make all efforts to find the girl’s mother. But if possible could Samantha remain here until we do. The Judge tells me; don’t count on child services showing up before tomorrow.
We search to grounds and locate an abandoned vehicle with out-of-state plates, looking in the backseat a notice Mom’s jewelry box have hidden under some clothing. We go to my room and replay the security footage from Mom’s room. Shortly after eleven we see the to come in and go through Mom’s jewelry box and take the whole thing wrapping it up in clothing from her closet they disappear outer door. He takes it outside, as she rummages through the other master bedrooms. She just finished going through grandma’s room when he finds her, he has two clients with him. She immediately strips and she begins to service the two. More and more men show up as each finish and leave.
The Judge asked me about how much you think the jewelry in Mom’s jewelry box would cost. I tell him, “I purchased most the jewelry for Christmas and birthdays presence, somewhere between seventy and seventy-five thousand dollars.”
Judge Thurgood states, “That’s enough to make it felony grand theft against the two with the video evidence there’s not much chance they’ll ever get off. Let’s not forget the abandoned and endangered their child, to commit a crime.”
I inform the Judge, “You should see the welts on the poor child’s legs.” I explained to him, “When I first found Sam she was sitting with her back against a tree and her skirt is come down to the top of her thighs and she was crying. When she saw me she moved her legs and hides the welts under her skirt.”
The Judge says flatly, “JJ, call the Sheriff again and tell them about the jury box. Show them the welts on the child’s legs. You never talked about this to me at all. If I knew anything I would have to accuse myself and move it to a different county for trial.”
I say, “I do believe you have departed ten minutes ago. Theoretically, a judge being able to witness to this would make the case a whole lot stronger.”
Marshall says, “I know you are tempted to throw the book at them, but don’t give them a loophole to get out of this scot free.”
Judge Thurgood chuckles, “It’s just too tempting, I would love to put these people in jail for thirty years for just leaving that little girl out there in the heat all day, if it been a little hotter today the poor child could have died.”
Marshall says, “You always can get Judge Shimon, she’s the hardest on child neglect and abuse cases.”
The Judge chuckles, “With my testimony and the video footage those two are going up the river until there is no river.”
I’ll go call the Sheriff to get him back out here. I will make a DVD showing them taking the jewelry box for the evidence. When I was in my room I got my camera to photograph Sam’s injuries.
Just as I’m ready to leave Kathryn shows up with a sleeping Sam in her arms. Kathryn whispers, “Sam won’t let go, Mom tried to take her but she wouldn’t let go. Mom said, then lay down with her maybe she’ll let go of me then.”
Helen, Mom, Alyssa, Grandma, Misty, Joan and the rest of Kathryn’s sisters slowly and quietly come up the stairs. They’re very quiet as Kathryn begins to lay back with Sam carefully lying down holding the girl to her chest. I help Kathryn lay down with Samantha, supporting Kathryn so she can gently recline. I whisper, “I’m going to take some pictures of those welts on her legs if I can.”
I raise that young girl skirt up over her thighs displaying the welts there. They are probably a day old. I move the dress completely out of the way I notice there are newer ones on her lower back. I take several pictures of Sam this way. When I finish with the camera, I go to the bathroom to get some antiseptic cream the place on the welts to help them heal hopefully without scarring. Everyone can see why I was taking photos once a step away. There’s more than one look of hatred come across the family’s faces. Whoever has hurt this child has made several enemies, and I’m damn sure I am one of them.
The Judge was wrong about one thing child protective services did show up, it’s at that moment as I returned with the antiseptic cream that they walk into the room led by Michael senior and the Judge.
The look of total outrage on the two men’s faces I can understand, I feel that way myself. The look of indifference on the child protective service worker I’ll never be able to comprehend. I don’t think I could work at a job like that if it left me numb to the suffering of a child.
Child protective services worker, going by Ms. Clark, stops me from giving first aid. That child needs to go to the emergency room at the hospital. I will not be able to do anything until we have a doctor’s report. I gently bring the dress back in the place, even in her sleep Sam moans from pain.
I inform Ms. Clark, “Samantha won’t let go of Kathryn.” We’ll take her to the hospital, or we can call an ambulance. Which is better?”
Ms. Clark says, “You would be so kind to take her to the hospital I will follow you. Officially I can’t ask you to remain with the child. But your presence may help; already she seems to bond with you.”
Judge Thurgood suggests, “If you and CPS have no qualms with this, could I get Mr. and Mrs. Meyer a temporary custody of Samantha until permanent custody can be determined.”
Ms. Clark says, “Mrs. Meyer seems to be quite young herself, would she get assistance from her family?”
I guess Ms. Clark miss the rest of the family when she came in. Mom clears her throat, as Ms. Clark turns around and takes in the rest of the family. Mom says, “I’ll speak for everyone here and say, yes.”
Ms. Clark says to the Judge, “I don’t see any problem at the moment with that. Given the fact she will have no shortage of assistance.”
I carefully help Kathryn up and we support Samantha as best we can. The Sheriff arrives and Mom pointed to the car with her jewelry box. She says, “I’ll take care of this you two go ahead and I’ll be there shortly.”
Misty, Kara, and Karen ride with the two of us as we take Samantha to the emergency room. Kathryn reclines in the middle seat holding the child to her chest. We drive carefully to the hospital Ms. Clark following us, Helen follows Ms. Clark and the rest of the Edward girls come with her. Mom arrives about half an hour after. A little less than an hour the Judge shows up with his order for temporary custody.
The Judge also gives us the bad news, the woman we thought was her mother isn’t. The doctors had just had given him the blood tests confirmed both blood types in the little girl cannot be the daughter of the woman who was arrested.
That means that little girl was abandoned and her mother never returned for her. We checked every room in the house, and no one knew anything about Samantha. Another possibility is the woman had stolen the little girl, and Sam knew her as her mother even though she wasn’t. I got a feeling the story is a little more complicated than just a simple abandonment.
Samantha’s voice cut the silence that had filled the emergency room, “NO DON’T TAKE MY NEW MOMMY AWAY. NO! MY OLD MOMMY IS BAD SHE LET HIM HURT ME. DON’T MAKE HER GO!
I explained to the Judge, “Samantha had said her mommy’s boyfriend had punished her. Samantha’s description of her mommy’s boyfriend matched the pimp. Either that woman still is here who Samantha calls her old mommy. Or some woman now in hiding that we don’t know or haven’t seen on the videos. The only woman we saw with him is her.”
Judge Thurgood says, “Once this exam is over, we will have Samantha give a description of her mommy. If they match that woman I’ll have charges brought up on child neglect and endangerment. If she can’t prove custodial ship of Samantha I’ll see about extending your temporary custody. It will require several visits from Ms. Clark.”
I tell the Judge, “I would hate to think someone would willingly give that woman custody of a child. I’m afraid that Samantha’s real mother is out there somewhere looking for her. I’d hate to have lost that little girl; I know there’s nothing under the sun that would stop me looking for her if I had.”
Smiling to Judge says, “Why do you think I am so willing to give an eighteen-year-old custody of a four-year-old girl? Because JJ you’re a better man than most people that I know.”
Michelle Collins says “You won’t believe how hard it is to find you some days. I was interviewing some people in town, when I heard about you finding the little girl as you were cleaning up after your party. You know how few billionaires even know how to pick up after themselves? When my photographers were still taking some photographs when one spotted you cleaning up after the party, Cissy has a dozen photographs of you actually working. Then she said you went into the brush in about five minutes later you come out with a pretty little girl.”
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