“Dad isn’t dead, he’s under the floor,” the little girl said, police started digging…

Rose tightened her grip on the table. Martha looked toward Anna. You did the right thing, Anna.

I was wrong. I’m sorry. She bowed her head.

I accept every sentence. I only ask, please don’t send my daughter back to that house. Judge Harris struck the gavel.

This court session is hereby concluded. The defendant, Martha Grant, is charged with the following crimes. First-degree murder.

Concealment of a corpse. Financial fraud in pursuit of unlawful inheritance. And most severely, coercing a minor to withhold testimony, and causing direct psychological harm to a child.

After a full review of physical evidence, financial records, video footage, eyewitness testimony including psychological evaluations and all actions pertaining to the concealment of the body, coercion of a minor, and fraudulent financial conduct. He paused. This court finds the defendant, Martha Grant, guilty of first-degree murder, concealment of a corpse, manipulation of a minor, and attempted fraudulent acquisition of assets.

Rose Martin gave a subtle nod, while Victor Anderson Martha’s defense attorney lowered his head in acceptance. For the totality of these charges, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment. Custody of the child shall be permanently granted to Mrs. Carol Morgan, the victim’s mother, as recommended by the Child Protection Agency and based on the provisional ruling issued last month.

A faint breath of relief echoed through the courtroom gallery. Martha showed no reaction, only bowed her head, her eyes red and her lips pressed tight. Judge Harris continued, his tone low and steady.

Finally, allow me a personal note something rarely said by a judge in this courtroom. Little Anna though only four years old spoke the words that unlocked this entire case. Daddy is under the kitchen floor, was not the phrase of a naive child, but the truth spoken by the smallest and most fragile among us.

She rescued her father from being forgotten and saved herself. He looked directly at Anna. Thank you, Anna.

The little girl looked up at him and replied softly, thank you for listening to me. The media exploded following the verdict. On the front page of the New York Times the next morning, a bold headline appeared.

Justice from a child’s voice, Anna Grant, 4, and the murder case that shook the state of Illinois. The article by journalist Scott Vincent detailed the path of the investigation but dedicated much of its space to one single idea, the raw, unconscious power of a child’s testimony. One excerpt was quoted more than any other.

We often say children don’t understand. But Anna proved that some truths can only be spoken by children because they haven’t yet learned how to lie. Meanwhile, at the State of Illinois Women’s Correctional Facility, Martha Grant was officially transferred to Isolation Block 3. Warden Stella Roberts, who had overseen Martha throughout her detainment, handed over her personal belongings just a few trivial items and an old photo.

Martha picked up the photo, a picture of her and Julian on their wedding day, before Anna was born. She sat in silence for hours, holding the frame, lips sealed. Stella quietly stepped closer, her voice low.

You had everything—husband, daughter, a home. But you traded it all, just to keep something you ended up losing. Martha said nothing.

At the city social services office, Carol arrived to finalize her legal guardianship of Anna. Her hands trembled as she signed the paperwork. An official named Philip Newton handed her the folder.

Congratulations, ma’am. The court has granted you permanent custody of Anna. She will enter long-term therapy and attend a new school in a safer area…