Chapter 8 - What Lizzy Told the Interviewer
Lizzy did not sit in police station while adults fired questions.
CPS arranged a forensic interview at child advocacy center.
One trained interviewer.
Recorded.
Age appropriate.
No coaching.
I waited outside.
Adam sat beside me.
Ian attended remotely with treatment social worker but did not observe live, to protect process.
The interview lasted forty six minutes.
I did not hear full until later legal proceedings.
Lizzy said Gloria locked her in closet “when I was bad.”
Bad included:
Taking snacks without asking.
Crying during phone calls.
Asking for Dad.
Not finishing worksheets.
Wet bed once.
Talking back.
How long?
“Sometimes dark time.”
Hours.
Not days continuously.
That distinction mattered.
The final night was worst because Gloria and Walt left house.
Lizzy had crackers and one bottle water.
No bathroom access except bucket.
Had she been hit?
“Grandma grabs. Grandpa smacks sometimes.”
Where?
Hand.
Bottom.
Once arm.
No severe beating described.
Bruises likely from grabs, rough handling, normal childhood mixed.
Prosecutors did not invent torture.
Neglect and unlawful confinement were enough.
Food?
Gloria restricted portions.
Said Lizzy was “getting fat” despite weight loss.
Sometimes breakfast withheld as punishment.
Lizzy sneaked crackers.
That prompted locks on pantry and then closet punishment.
Did Walt know?
“Yes.”
Did he stop?
“No.”
Did he lock closet?
“Grandma mostly.”
“Grandpa did one time.”
There.
Both.
Did anyone tell her what to say?
“Grandma says Aunt Natalie wants her money.”
My stomach turned when I learned.
They had prepared her to distrust me.
Still she called me.
Why?
Interviewer asked.
Lizzy hugged bear.
May you like
“Daddy said Aunt Natalie comes if I’m scared.”
Ian heard that later and cried harder than I had ever heard my brother cry.
