Stephanie participated, so she is just as much to blame, if not more. She did not want Ethan, other than to stick the knife into Joe.
Joe Stacy fought for custody, only to have a crappy judge say he had to send Ethan to visit Stephanie.
What they did to Ethan was worse than what happened to Robert Manwill in Idaho (same kind of custodial issues).
If only US justice was more than a huge advocate for the bad guys, it would be better. Yeah... they have "rights" but too bad justice cannot be "an eye for an eye" and shove some $$hit into Nathan's mouth before his jaw is broken, break his teeth out before he is burned and buried with dog food sprinkled... now that might be a little better. Just a little.