She described the condition of Clearwater Road at the time of her visit, Darla’s depressive symptoms, Eli’s assumption of adult responsibilities, the food insecurity, and the school absenteeism. She also described Darla’s cooperation, the rapid establishment of support, the fact that Eli denied physical abuse, and her observation that Darla understood the seriousness of the neglect.
“Do you recommend removal from the mother?” Cho asked on cross-examination.
“I recommend temporary transfer of primary caregiving responsibility,” Sandra said. “Not severance. The mother has begun engaging in treatment and has shown meaningful cooperation.”
“Do you believe continued contact is in Eli’s interest?”
“Yes, if structured and monitored during the temporary order.”
Dr. Castillo’s report was entered.
The judge read the summary aloud in part.
“High visual-spatial reasoning. High verbal comprehension. Significant reading-decoding deficit consistent with dyslexia. Educational accommodations recommended.”
He looked over the top of the file at Eli.
“How long have you struggled with reading?”
“As long as I can remember.”
“Did anyone evaluate you before this month?”
“No.”
The judge’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Principal Hale’s letter was entered next.
The school supported accommodation rather than discipline and recommended the expulsion review be closed if Eli maintained attendance under the new plan.
Then county counsel raised the consent form.
Attorney Cho looked at Raina before answering.
“We anticipated this issue, Your Honor. Ms. Cross should address it directly.”
Judge Parwick looked at Raina.
She did not soften it.
“I signed Darla Mercer’s name without permission because the assessment deadline was going to be missed.”
“Do you understand that was improper?”
“Yes.”
“Potentially unlawful?”
“Yes.”
“Why should I entrust you with guardianship after you made that decision?”
The courtroom became very quiet.
Raina’s answer came slowly.
“You should not ignore it. You should weigh it against everything else. I made a wrong decision for a reason I believed was urgent. The reason does not make the decision right. If you decide it disqualifies me, I will accept that and still support whatever arrangement protects Eli.”
Judge Parwick held her gaze for several seconds.
Darla stood when called.
She walked to the witness chair and took the oath.
County counsel asked whether she consented to temporary guardianship.
“Yes.”
“Do you understand you are voluntarily allowing another adult to exercise primary caregiving authority over your child for a defined period?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe you are currently able to meet all of Eli’s daily needs without that support?”
Darla looked toward her son.
“No.”
The word hurt her to say. Everyone heard that.
“Why are you consenting?”
Darla’s hands tightened once in her lap, then relaxed.
“I’m not giving up my son. I’m asking someone I trust to hold him steady while I do the work of becoming someone who can hold him steady myself.”
The judge looked at her for a long time.
“Mrs. Mercer, that is a difficult thing to say in public.”
“It was harder making him live through the reasons I have to say it.”
Eli stared at the table.
The judge eventually turned to him.
“Eli.”
He looked up.
“Would you come forward?”
Eli moved to the small witness chair but was not sworn. Judge Parwick’s tone changed slightly.
“Do you understand what everyone is asking me to do?”