Chapter 13 - CELESTE’S CHARGE
Celeste’s case was more serious.
Sophie suffered no physical injury.
That mattered.
But the absence of injury came because I caught her, not because the act was harmless.
Charges focused on:
Attempted assault/endangerment of a child.
Reckless conduct creating risk of serious injury.
Depending statute, intentional unlawful physical force against a minor.
No attempted murder.
No claim Celeste wanted Sophie dead.
No claim she intended a specific fracture.
The prosecution’s theory was narrower:
An adult intentionally shoved a four-year-old toward the top of a substantial staircase as punishment.
That created obvious risk.
Celeste’s lawyer argued:
She intended to force Sophie toward the stairs, not down them.
Her center of gravity moved unexpectedly.
Then video.
Both arms.
Extension.
No hand retained on Sophie.
Hard to call controlled.
The prosecutor offered a plea.
Admission:
Celeste intentionally used force to send Sophie toward the staircase in response to Sophie’s refusal to remain downstairs.
She acted pursuant to Vittorio’s instruction that the child be physically removed and frightened into compliance.
No intent to cause serious injury.
Recommended:
Custodial component potentially partly suspended.
Probation.
No unsupervised contact with minors.
Counseling.
No contact with Sophie.
Celeste objected to one word.
Frightened.
She said:
May you like
“Corrected.”
No deal.
