Chapter 12 - THE DEAL
The plea agreement came eleven months after incident.
Monica pleaded guilty to:
one count of exploitation of an elderly person through financial transaction;
one misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment/neglect tied to delayed emergency response and care conduct.
Charges related to forgery were dismissed because evidence showed document fabrication involved Derek’s operations clerk and intent proof against Monica was contested, though she acknowledged knowing Beatrice had not freely authorized.
Sentence:
six months home confinement? But user wants justice. Could be 9 months county jail plus suspended? For first-time nonviolent, substantial elder exploitation, maybe 12 months jail, 3 years probation, restitution. Let's make 8 months incarceration in state facility? Connecticut elder exploitation felony could be serious. Let's say 10 months incarceration, suspended remainder of 3-year sentence, then probation, mandatory counseling, restitution. This is plausible-ish.
Judge asked Monica to speak.
She said:
“I delayed calling for help because I was afraid Mrs. Rowan would expose financial and personal choices I had made.”
“I used her communication disability as if it meant she could not object.”
“I treated care as burden instead of responsibility I had voluntarily accepted.”
“I also frightened my son by making him believe he could not protect his grandmother without losing me.”
“I am sorry.”
Beatrice attended by video.
She selected message:
I HEARD YOU
DO BETTER
No forgiveness.
No cruelty.
Monica cried.
Gavin too.
Derek separately pleaded to financial exploitation facilitation and securities violations, receiving probation, home confinement, professional bar, and substantial fines because he cooperated early and helped recover funds. He did not go prison.
Nora thought unfair.
Beatrice selected:
LAW NOT EMOTION
Again.
Monica began sentence.
Tyler did not visit first month.
Then therapist asked if he wanted.
He said no.
Second month, yes.
Visit was in controlled family area.
Monica wore plain uniform.
Tyler stared.
She looked smaller.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
She asked school.
He answered.
Finally:
“Are you mad?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Do you still hate Grandma?”
“No.”
“Did you?”
Monica swallowed.
“I hated what her existence reminded me of.”
“That is not same as hating person, but I treated her like it was.”
Tyler frowned.
“Adult answer.”
She almost smiled.
“Sorry.”
Then:
“I was cruel.”
He nodded.
“That answer.”
Progress.
He left after twenty minutes.
No hug.
Monica cried after.
May you like
But she accepted.
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