Chapter 7 - The Arrest Warrant Expands
Within forty-eight hours of Diane’s stunt at the grocery store, the legal ramifications escalated drastically.
The County Prosecutor, a formidable woman named ADA Alvarez who had prosecuted domestic abuse cases for over fifteen years, called us into her office.
"Mrs. Carter, Sergeant Carter, please sit," Alvarez said, sliding a thick manila folder across the mahogany desk.
On top of the folder was a high-resolution, color printout of Emma’s hospital intake photo. Below it were the medical charts from Ohio Children’s Hospital, signed by the pediatric maxillofacial surgeon.
"The initial charge against Vanessa Vance was simple assault," Alvarez explained. "Given the severity of the fractures, the age of the victim, and the deliberate nature of the strike, my office has upgraded the charges to: Felony Assault in the Second Degree, Felony Child Endangerment, and Aggravated Battery."
Daniel leaned forward. "What about bail?"
"Her preliminary hearing was this morning. Richard Vance posted the fifty-thousand-dollar cash bond," Alvarez said with a grim expression. "She's out. But she is fitted with an electronic ankle monitor. And after the incident with Mrs. Vance at the supermarket, I requested—and the judge granted—a full criminal protection order. If Vanessa or Diane comes within five hundred feet of you, Emma, or your home, it’s an automatic felony contempt charge with no bond."
"What about my father?" I asked, my chest tight. "He threw us out while Emma was bleeding out. He threatened to call the police on us."
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Alvarez gave a cold, sharp smile. "We’re looking into witness intimidation and failure to report child abuse. But Richard Vance has bigger problems coming his way."
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