Chapter 24 #2
“Your Honor, my client filed this emergency motion due to credible concerns about the safety and wellbeing of her granddaughters. The parents have been separated for over a month, during which time, one parent, Janie Evans, abandoned the family home and the children. While Mrs. Evans has recently begun staying at the home on what appears to be an ad-hoc basis, there is no consistent, stable living arrangement.”
Hannah gripped Janie’s hand hard under the table, making her hiss. David shot them a worried side glance.
“Furthermore,” Bradford said, “there is evidence of serious neglect. Last month, one of the children ingested medication while under Mrs. Evans’ supervision, requiring emergency medical treatment.
While the child recovered, this incident was never reported to my client, suggesting a pattern of hiding dangerous situations.
” Bradford pulled out documents and handed copies to the bailiff, who passed them to the judge and to David.
“We don’t have to report anything to her,” Hannah muttered, and David shot her a warning look.
“Finally, Your Honor, both parents are engaged in demanding careers that make adequate childcare challenging. While they have hired help, the instability of their relationship, combined with Mrs. Evans’ recent abandonment of the home and history of neglectful supervision, creates an unsafe environment for three toddlers.
My client is simply seeking temporary custody to ensure the children’s safety while the court determines long-term arrangements. ”
Bradford sat down, looking pleased with herself, and Janie wanted to scream. While almost everything Bradford had said was technically true, it was completely devoid of context. She’d weaponized facts, twisting them into a narrative that painted Janie as neglectful and Hannah as overwhelmed.
“Mr. Adams,” Judge Morrison said, looking at David.
David stood and adjusted his tie. Sharp, precise, and ready for battle. She’d seen him do it a hundred times.
“Your Honor, Ms. Bradford’s characterization is not only misleading but borders on malicious.
Let’s address each claim in turn.” David pulled out his own stack of documents.
“First, the separation. Yes, Mrs. Evans moved out of the family home in early September while dealing with postpartum depression. But she remained in constant contact with her children, continued to provide financial support, and has been actively working on her marriage through couples therapy. She hasn’t ‘abandoned’ anyone, least of all her children.
She’s a mother dealing with a medical condition who took temporary space to get help.
” He handed some documents to the court officer.
“Here are records from their therapist confirming regular appointments, and a letter from Mrs. Rogers-Evans’ physician documenting her diagnosis and treatment plan for postpartum depression. ”
Janie ignored the spark of shame at her diagnosis being spoken out loud and in public so freely. She had to accept it was nothing to be ashamed of, or she’d never emerge from under its vast, dark influence.
“Second, the ER incident,” David said softly and glanced at Janie with a sympathetic smile.
“Yes, there was an incident where one child ingested a small amount of children’s Tylenol.
Mrs. Evans responded immediately and appropriately by taking the child to the emergency room.
The ER report shows no finding of neglect.
The physician noted that the mother was ‘appropriate and concerned throughout’ and that this was an accidental ingestion requiring no treatment beyond an activated charcoal administration.
” He paused to let that sink in. “The parents subsequently improved all childproofing measures and hired professional help. Clearly, this isn’t evidence of neglect.
It’s evidence of responsible parenting. They learned from a close call and took action to prevent future incidents. ”
Janie caught Hannah’s gaze and gave her a tight smile. God, how she wished they hadn’t run out of childproof locks just as they’d gotten to the bathroom they’d reassigned for the girls.
“Finally, the claim of demanding careers and inadequate childcare. Your Honor, Mrs. Hannah Rogers is an equal partner in a successful automotive customization and repair business, and Mrs. Janie Evans is an attorney in private practice. Both have structured their work schedules to prioritize their children. They’ve hired a full-time nanny, Carmen Reyes, who I’ll be calling as a witness, and they have a strong support system,” he gestured to their chosen family in the gallery, “which is evident from the number of people who’ve shown up today to testify on their behalf. ”
Janie and Hannah checked over their shoulders, and both of them smiled at their assembled army.
“This emergency motion is not about protecting children,” David said, his voice hardening.
“It’s about my client’s mother attempting to gain control of a substantial trust fund established by her own mother for these children.
Mrs. Angela Evans was passed over for that inheritance in favor of her daughter—my client—and is now using the legal system to try to access those funds through her granddaughters. ”
Bradford shot to her feet. “Objection! That’s a baseless accusation—”
“I have documentation,” David said. “Mrs. Angela Evans attempted to contest her mother’s will a number of years ago and lost. The trust is ironclad and managed by Mrs. Janie Evans for the benefit of the children until they turn eighteen.
However, if Mrs. Angela Evans were to gain custody, she would control those assets as the children’s guardian. ”
Judge Morrison held up a hand. “I’ll review the documentation. Ms. Bradford, unless you have evidence to contradict Mr. Adams’ claims, I suggest you sit down.”
Bradford sat, but her expression was thunderous, and her previous confidence seemed to have slipped away.
“I’d like to call my first witness,” David said. “Carmen Reyes.”
Carmen came forward from the gallery, and a rush of affection overcame Janie. Carmen had dressed in her nicest clothes, and now she took the stand with a dignity that made Janie’s throat tight.
After Carmen was sworn in, David said, “Ms. Reyes, how long have you been working for the Rogers-Evans family?”
“About two weeks now. Full-time, Monday through Friday and some weekends.”
David nodded. “And in that time, what have you observed about the parents’ fitness and the children’s wellbeing?”
Carmen sat up a little straighter and looked toward Judge Morrison.
“They’re excellent parents. Both of them.
Hannah is very hands-on, very loving with the girls.
She knows each of their personalities, what they like and don’t like, and how to calm them when they’re upset.
And when Ms. Janie is home, it’s the same thing.
Those girls light up when they see their mommies. ”
“Have you observed anything that concerns you about the children’s safety or care?” David asked.
“No, never. The house is fully childproofed. I’ve worked in a lot of homes over the years, and theirs is one of the safest I’ve seen for toddlers.
The girls are healthy, happy, well-fed, and well-loved.
They have routines and structure. And most importantly, they have two parents who clearly adore them. ”
Bradford cross-examined, trying to get Carmen to admit that Janie wasn’t there every day, that Hannah sometimes worked long hours, and that the house had been chaotic when Carmen first started. But Carmen held firm, her responses calm and unshakeable.
When Carmen stepped down, David called Hannah’s dad.
Tom Rogers took the stand with quiet authority. He testified about moving from Florida to help Hannah, about the love and dedication he’d witnessed, and about the three little girls who were thriving in their home.
“Have you ever had concerns about your granddaughters’ safety in your daughter’s care?” David asked.
“Not once.” Tom frowned and shook his head.
“Hannah is an incredible mother. Her mom would be so proud…” He paused and cleared his throat before continuing.
“Yes, she’s been struggling, but any parent of triplets would find it hard.
But she’s never put those girls at risk.
She’s asked for help when she needed it, which is what good parents do. ”
“And her wife, your daughter-in-law?” David pointed to Janie. “What’s your impression of her as a mother?”
“Janie loves those girls fiercely.” Tom smiled widely at Janie. “You can see it in every interaction. She’s been dealing with postpartum depression, and she’s been getting help for it. That takes courage.”
Bradford tried to shake him on cross, implying that he was biased because Hannah was his daughter.
Tom laughed. “Of course I love my daughter. But I love my granddaughters too. If I thought they were in danger, I’d be the first one saying so. And they’re not.”
Next up was Gabe, and Hannah’s shoulders visibly dropped as Gabe took the stand.
“I served with Solo—Hannah—in the Army,” Gabe said. “She was part of my unit, and I trusted her with my life on multiple occasions. I trust her with her daughters’ lives now. She’s one of the most responsible, capable people I know.”
Shay followed, her natural warmth making her testimony feel personal and genuine.
“I’ve known Hannah for years, and I work with her every day at the garage.
I’ve seen how she talks about her girls.
She lights up. And since Janie’s been coming back home, Hannah has become more balanced.
She’s happier, more herself. These are two people who love each other and love their kids. That’s what I see.”
RB testified about Hannah’s work ethic and reliability. Woody, despite Solo’s concerns, managed to be both sincere and appropriate in her testimony about Hannah’s dedication to her family.