This is interesting to read, because I had to go back and watch the raw interview again because I thought maybe I saw the wrong thing. I just saw a family who really wanted their Jessica back.
Sarah strikes me as a bit simple and very caring. She mixed up words and her family helped her correct herself. The family waited for Dad to make a unified statement- that doesn't scream "custody battle" to me- I'm guessing the hearing he attended Friday was more likely about income and child support, which makes more sense as to why Mom wouldn't have attended the hearing (for actual child custody it seems to me jurisdiction would be in Colorado, because that is Jessica's residence).
I have little girls too, and while they are much younger than Jessica, it is a running joke to say they are the age they are "going on 30". When S---- said Jessica wanted to be a teenager- seems perfectly normal to me, and something all of my friends have said about their daughters at one point or another. She didn't seem defensive- just talking about how independent her daughter is. She gave her kid a little bit of leash- to walk to school- and I think she has a right to feel defensive about it. I think Mom's want approval for the things we do that seem normal (and letting a 10 year old walk 3 blocks to school in a safe neighborhood with friends- what could be more normal?)- because I think the really GOOD Mom's DO question themselves a lot. It's part insecurity, part trying to figure it out as you go- it's trying to LEARN rather than say "I'm the perfect Mom".
When I watched the interview, I heard a single Mom who yes, has support, but who also craves approval for the choices she makes. She seemed genuine and like she is trying to improve her life- going back to school, living at home with mom, working a full time job. I just couldn't find it in me to think they are responsible for this tragic situation but that's just my opinion, of course.
Did anyone catch NG?
NG didn't seem to point fingers at the family- isn't she usually first on that bandwagon?