Justin went quiet, realizing he had implicitly admitted contact.
In the following days, the investigation uncovered more horrors. Police examined Justin’s phone and found photographs—images of Lily in inappropriate poses, in underwear, being touched. They also found disturbing internet searches on his computer: sites related to child abuse, forums where predators shared tips on grooming children.
“This man is a systematic sexual predator,” the lead detective told Ethan. “Lily is probably not his first victim.”
Further checks revealed Justin had been fired from a previous job at a daycare after unproven allegations of inappropriate behavior with children.
“How did Lauren not look into his background?” Ethan asked in disbelief.
“Apparently she didn’t. Or she did and ignored the red flags.”
Lauren was charged with felony child endangerment and aiding & abetting child sexual abuse for failing to protect Lily after the child disclosed the abuse.
“But she says she didn’t believe Lily,” Ethan argued.
“Mr. Carter, a mother has a legal duty to investigate and protect when her child makes such accusations. Lauren chose to believe her boyfriend and silence her daughter. That’s criminal negligence.”