Seeing bruises on my daughter all week, I walked into her room and found her shaking. “If I tell you, they’ll hurt you real bad,” she cried. “Tell me everything,” I begged. As she exposed the horrific weekend beatings and dark closet punishments by my in-laws, my heart shattered into ice. I stood up, locked the door, and whispered…

Beverly was sentenced to fifteen years. Kristen received twelve. Todd got ten. When the sentences were read, Beverly let out a theatrical, piercing wail, collapsing against the wooden table. I squeezed Emma’s hand tightly. “She can never touch you again,” I whispered.

But the criminal trial was only the first phase of my war. Next came the civil lawsuit.continue reading …