"Everyone thought my daughter’s birthday cake was safe, until she collapsed beside it and the paramedics discovered the container Patricia had desperately tried to hide.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours—one of the fastest deliberations for a high-profile felony trial in county history.

When the courtroom doors opened and the twelve jurors filed back into their seats, the silence in the room was deafening.

"Will the defendants please stand," Judge William Henderson ordered.

Daniel and Patricia stood up, flanked by their attorneys. Daniel’s knees shook so violently he had to hold onto the edge of the wooden desk for support.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Henderson asked.

simple foreperson, a stern-looking woman in her fifties, stood up and presented the paper. "We have, Your Honor."

"On the first count of Attempted First-Degree Murder, how do you find the defendant, Daniel Vance?"

"Guilty," the foreperson read clearly.

A loud sob broke out from the gallery. I closed my eyes, letting out a breath I felt like I had been holding for three months.

"On the second count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, how do you find the defendant, Daniel Vance?"

"Guilty."

"On the third count of Child Endangerment and Insurance Fraud, how do you find the defendant, Daniel Vance?"

"Guilty."

The foreperson turned her page. "On the count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, how do you find the defendant, Patricia Vance?"

"Guilty."

"On the count of Reckless Endangerment of a Minor, how do you find the defendant, Patricia Vance?"

"Guilty."

Patricia collapsed into her chair, clutching her chest, weeping hysterically as her attorney tried to comfort her. Daniel stood frozen, staring at the jury box in absolute, catatonic shock.

Judge Henderson adjusted his glasses, looking down at the two defendants with cold, unyielding judgment.

"Daniel Vance," Judge Henderson said, his voice booming through the silent courtroom. "You took an oath as a first responder to protect human life. You abused that trust, your badge, and your position as a father in the most sickening manner imaginable—driven by dark vices and unbridled greed. You attempted to sacrifice your own flesh and blood on the altar of your debts."

Judge Henderson slammed his gavel down hard.

"I sentence you, Daniel Vance, to forty-five years in state prison without the possibility of parole. And to you, Patricia Vance, for your active participation in this abominable conspiracy, I sentence you to twenty years in state prison."

The gallery erupted into a mix of applause and murmurs as court officers immediately grabbed Daniel and Patricia, pulling them toward the side door leading to the holding cells.

As Daniel was being led away in chains, he turned his head toward me one last time.

"Sarah!" he cried out, tears streaming down his hollow face. "Sarah, please forgive me! I'm sorry! I love her! I love Lily!"