At 2 P.M., I Walked Into My Parents’ Backyard Expecting To Pick Up My 8-

It was a willful act of punishment and neglect that could have resulted in her death.”

My mother began to cry softly. My father straightened stiffly, trying to mask the tremor in his hands.

“For child cruelty and endangerment,” the judge continued, “this court sentences you both to three years in state prison.”

A gasp rippled through the courtroom, but continue reading …