Chapter 14 - The Plea
Scott pleaded guilty three weeks before trial.
The final agreement was narrower than Mom initially wanted.
One felony child endangering count tied to intentionally closing the drawer on my hand and causing serious physical injury.
One fraud related felony tied to unauthorized use of Mom’s identity and funds for Summit Ridge.
A lesser document offense was merged/dismissed under agreement.
Other conduct could be considered at sentencing within legal limits.
He admitted:
He knew my hand was in the drawer.
He intentionally closed it during a confrontation.
He caused the fractures.
He later submitted an edited recording to support a false version.
He accessed the education account without Mom’s permission.
He used a reproduced signature to authorize Summit Ridge.
No admission that he intended permanent injury.
No admission he planned to kidnap me.
No dramatic words.
Enough.
At plea hearing, judge asked:
“Did you knowingly close the drawer while Ethan Parker’s hand was inside?”
Scott looked down.
“Yes.”
“Did you understand that doing so could cause injury?”
“Yes.”
“Did injury occur?”
“Yes.”
That was the first time he stopped changing the sentence.
Mom cried.
I did not attend.
I was at school.
Good.
At sentencing, the court reviewed:
The injury.
Video.
Edited submission.
Residential placement scheme.
Financial misuse.
No prior criminal convictions.
Prior CPS history not treated as conviction.
His guilty plea.
Psychological evaluation.
Restitution ability.
Scott received three and a half years in state custody with credit rules set by law, followed by supervision, restitution, and no contact with me during the protection order period unless later court specifically changed it.
Mom thought it should be longer.
Angela Ruiz said:
“The sentence is serious.”
“I know.”
“Your son is safe.”
“I know.”
“Do not measure his healing by Scott’s prison number.”
Mom later told me that sentence saved her from spending years counting months.
Scott was ordered to repay:
The education account losses proven unauthorized.
Medical costs not covered by insurance to extent recoverable.
Certain legal restitution categories.
Not every attorney fee.
Not every therapy bill.
Civil issues handled separately.
The Summit Ridge deposit was refunded.
Bank recovered another $7,900 from Scott’s frozen account.
Insurance covered some.
Restitution schedule handled remainder.
My education account did not magically return to original balance overnight.
It recovered over time.
The day after sentencing, Mom asked me:
“Do you feel better?”
“No.”
She looked surprised.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
I asked:
“Do you?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
We ate dinner.
May you like
Court had ended one part.
Life did not transform on command.
