I don't fault TH for some of that. Given the whole murder for hire "sting," I would imagine I would behave similarly. If I were innocent of a crime, and LE seemed determined to view me as a suspect, I'd probably behave as she had.
It's entirely possible she did it. Statistics and circumstantial evidence make it likely. But I don't find those things as damning as other people do.
Would you really give up your baby? I wouldn't. And as a family law attorney I can tell you that the only ones I have known to give up fighting for their kids are those with serious mental health, drug or alcohol issues, and/or those who really don't give much of a damn.
The infant was taken by the father and he used the murder for hire allegations to obtain an emergency custody order. I can understand why an attorney would advise Terri not to answer questions but there have been no charges filed against Terri for the murder for hire. I agree she may not receive primary custody but I think she'll at least obtain joint custody and significant parenting time.
JMO
No, the infant was not "taken" by the father. He went to court seeking sole custody and won based on the mother's refusal to participate in the litigation.
She may be able to get joint legal custody but as to significant parenting time, that is unlikely to occur for years, if ever, because she voluntarily gave up all contact for 4 years, leading to a situation where there is no mother-child relationship and thus the best interest of the child does not indicate such contact. The best interest standard looks at the child's need to maintain a relationship with the parent he or she knows and loves, and/or at what the other parent can offer to the child.
It is certainly the policy of the law to start with the premise that frequent and continuing contact with both parents is in the best interest of the child. But that's the starting point. A long voluntary separation from a child can do much to affect that premise. The age of the child at the time of separation is key as well.
TH has done much to permanently damage her rights to her child and her relationship with her. Her family law attorneys would have explained that to her way back when. She made her choice. If she plays ball, she is very likely to get some form of contact with her kid but she has a long row to hoe. Very long.
Btw, I am a family law attorney. That's my practice.