Chapter 7 - WHY DIANE DID IT
Diane’s explanation changed over three days.
First:
one time.
Then:
two.
Then:
“a few.”
Finally, in a formal interview with counsel present:
six confirmed administrations over roughly three months.
Investigators could not prove whether there were more.
Claire did not need a larger number.
Six was enough.
Why?
Diane said Noah was a difficult sleeper.
Then said Claire was exhausted.
Then said she was helping.
Then finally:
“I wanted to prove she was causing it.”
The room went quiet.
Prove what?
That Noah could sleep.
That Claire’s constant responding was the reason he woke.
That babies need firmness.
That Diane still knew how to raise children.
The medication became part of an argument.
A terrible experiment.
Not scientific.
Not malicious poisoning.
A grandmother trying to win.
Then Diane said something worse.
“The first time, he slept beautifully.”
Claire’s stomach turned.
Beautifully.
A sedated infant had looked like proof.
So Diane repeated it.
When Noah slept too long, she adjusted the nap record.
When Claire noticed lethargy, Diane said Claire was anxious.
Every consequence became evidence that Claire was overreacting.
The lie protected the theory.
Then Daniel asked:
“Why didn’t you stop when he was hard to wake?”
Diane cried.
“I thought he was tired.”
“You changed the log.”
“I knew Claire would freak out.”
“You knew it looked wrong.”
Diane said nothing.
Then Claire asked:
“Did you ever look up whether it was safe?”
Diane’s attorney interrupted before specifics.
Diane eventually admitted she searched online for general information but chose sources that reassured her.
She ignored warnings that did not.
Confirmation bias with a baby.
Then Claire realized revenge was not enough.
She wanted to know how a person who loved Noah could make him part of a competition.
The answer was uncomfortable.
May you like
Love and control can coexist.
That does not make control loving.
