Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho once said,
"It's the possibility of having a dream come true
that makes life interesting."
Hello and welcome to<i> Case Closed.</i>
Bring out the litigants, please.
Juanis is my reason to live.
I've raised her for the past ten years, and I love her.
I won't let someone show up and take her from me.
Mistakes must be paid for.
Sandra deserves to be reunited with her family.
I'm going to make that happen.
Good afternoon and welcome.
Good afternoon.
Alejandra, you're the plaintiff. You're suing Javier.
Tell me who he is, why you're suing him,
and what you're requesting to settle this case.
Ma'am, I'm suing this gentleman...
He's married to my best friend Sandra Gonzalez,
who was accused of murder because she killed her husband.
I have a signed power of attorney
giving me full custody of her child...
Sandra's child.
Sandra wanted me to be her guardian.
-Here's... -Has she been tried?
Yes, ma'am.
-Was she convicted? -Yes.
For how long?
15 years.
15 years?
Yes, ma'am.
So she gave you a power of attorney
before she went to prison...
Yes, ma'am.
She wanted you to take care of...
I have to tell you exactly what happened.
Okay, go ahead.
Roberto, please hand me the evidence.
So, what happened?
Go ahead.
Okay, here's what happened...
My best friend, Sandra Gonzalez,
was a victim of domestic violence.
Her husband abused her both physically and sexually.
Okay.
We reported him several times, but you know...
Relationship problems are usually solved in bed.
Every time we reported him,
she'd withdraw the complaint by the next day...
Sandra was afraid her husband would kill her daughter
because she was a witness to his abuse.
She wanted me to get a lawyer and have that document signed.
She wanted me to take care of her daughter
just in case anything happened to her.
-Okay. -We signed the document...
-This was signed in 2004. -Yes, ma'am.
-She's been with you since? -Yes, ma'am.
She's been living with you for ten years?
Yes, ma'am. She's practically my daughter.
One day I had to go to Colombia
and Sandra asked me to take her with me
because she didn't want her around her husband.
So I took my daughter to Colombia
to keep me company and to meet my parents.
And in 2005, the tragedy happened.
Is that when she killed her husband?
-Yes. -Okay.
This man used to abuse her verbally and sexually,
so she knocked him out with a lamp.
Blinded by rage, she smashed his face in.
Okay.
That's why she was sentenced to 15 years.
She's already been there for ten years.
Last year she was released on parole
and God knows why she married this gentleman...
This guy who just turned up.
He's now calling himself the father of my child.
He's trying to take Juanita away from me.
I don't want to take her from you.
Hold on... She was released on parole...
-Married this gentleman... -This stranger.
Where is she now? Why isn't she here?
She was sent back to prison.
Again?
She was paroled, but went back to prison because of a mistake.
Whose mistake?
Hers.
She was caught in a house where there were drugs...
She went to a meeting and there were drugs there
so she was taken back to prison.
She violated her parole.
Exactly.
She violated her parole so she was sent back to prison.
Was her sentence extended?
Yes, ma'am.
So, after she got released last year, she married this guy
who just appeared out of nowhere.
What does that have to do with anything?
She met him when she was in prison.
You're a stranger.
That has nothing to do with anything.
Now he's telling my daughter he's her father.
You are not her father.
I never said that.
All I said was that I'm Sandra's husband.
He's not Juanita's father.
What is it that you want?
QUE ERES EL PAPÁ DE JUANITA! ÉL NO ES EL PAPÁ DE JUANITA. - ¿QUÉ ES LO QUE TÚ QUIERES?
I need your help, ma'am.
I want to adopt Juanita Gonzalez.
You'll need permission from her mother to do that, though.
I know, ma'am, but she's in prison.
Yeah, but she can sign documents in prison...
I've been taking care of her for ten years.
She's my daughter. She's my reason to live.
-He's not taking her from me. -I don't want to!
Her mother doesn't want you to adopt her, does she?
We had a deal...
It's all becoming clear now.
We'll take a short break.
od afternoon, ma'am.
I met Sandra in prison.
I used to visit my cousin, who was also there.
Before I continue,
I'd like to ask you to let me adopt her, not her.
Legally, I'm Sandra's husband.
You're not her father, though.
-You're not Juanita's father. -I'm Sandra's husband...
Let him talk, please.
She's asked me to investigate the adoption process
while she's still in prison.
It's been eight months since she was sent back to prison
which means she will be released
in about one year and two months.
-Already? -Yes, ma'am.
She wants me to start the process
so we can all be together when she gets out.
That's why I'm here. I need your help.
There are several factors I'm aware of.
First of all,
she's been extremely selfish with her friend.
I never said she couldn't see her daughter.
Why selfish?
Because she's become obsessed with the child
the moment she found out Sandra's getting out.
I never told Sandra she couldn't see her daughter.
This document shows I'm Sandra's husband.
The marriage license. Please hand it over.
I had to take her to a psychologist.
It worries me that Alejandra
is stealing her daughter's love from her.
I'm not stealing anything.
She's alienating her from her daughter.
-She's trying to... -How can I steal her...
How's your relationship with the child?
I've met her...
Like I said, I met Sandra in prison...
I met her daughter.
I met her when Sandra was paroled.
At first, she'd only seen her mother in pictures,
but she'd never had a relationship with her.
Little by little...
I fell in love with her...
She told me about her life.
She's an amazing woman.
Anyone can make a mistake.
I'm not defending her, but...
Her biggest mistake was marrying this man.
-Do you have any witnesses? -Yes, ma'am.
Bring out the plaintiff's witness, please.
Why are you so opposed to their marriage?
Because he's a stranger.
You might not know me, but Sandra does.
We're all strangers until we meet each other.
I married Sandra because I love her.
We all deserve a second chance.
That doesn't make you Juanita's father.
He's not Juanita's father, he's her stepfather.
I'm only looking out for Juanita.
Sandra wants her to think he's her father.
What's your name?
Elena. I'm Javier's mother.
-But you're Alejandra's witness? -Yes, ma'am.
I'm worried, ma'am.
My son...
You know this...
Has always been involved in abusive relationships.
He's been physically abused several times.
He's even been beat up in the past.
That was a long time ago, Mom.
He's used to those kinds of relationships.
I worry because she's a convicted felon.
She was charged with a serious crime.
Murder.
But we all deserve a second chance.
She's a murderer.
What if when they get into an argument...?
I fear for his life.
I get it.
Do you have a witness?
Yes, ma'am.
We'll take a short break.
When we come
My witness has We'something importantak.
to tell you about her.
Let her tell you herself...
Don't tell me what the witness is saying.
Telling me the witness has something important to tell me
is not necessary.
Okay.
Good afternoon. What's your name?
Alicia.
Who are you, Alicia?
I'm Alejandra's friend.
But you're here as Javier's witness.
Yes...
She told me she had planned everything, ma'am.
When she realized
things were working out between Sandra and this man,
she thought they'd take the child away from her.
That's why she asked Sandra to meet her at that place.
She was the one who called the police to have her arrested.
She feared...
You don't know what you're talking about.
Tell her I'm lying.
-What are you doing here? -Tell her I'm lying!
See? You're no saint.
You're my friend.
Why are you doing this?
Tell her the truth.
Come here.
No, ma'am!
You're not taking my daughter from me!
Come here.
She's my daughter.
Did you do that? Did you send her back to prison?
Put yourself in my shoes, ma'am.
She betrayed me.
Why?
They wanted to take her away and get rid of me.
I've raised her for the last ten years.
-She's not your daughter! -She is!
-She's my reason for living! -Why don't you have kids?
I love this girl, ma'am.
You took her in to help your friend.
-She's my reason for living! -You sent Sandra to prison!
Do you know what you've done? You did something so low.
Ma'am...
Are you dating anyone?
-No. -Why?
Because that child is my world.
She's my reason for living.
I wake up every day thinking about her.
I work for her.
Return to your podium.
Is the child here?
Yes, ma'am.
Please bring her out along with Dr. Vivian Gonzalez
and attorney Lizette Sierra.
-Hello, Juanita. -I gave her permission to come.
-How are you? -Good, you?
Come this way.
It's nice to meet you.
How's your relationship with Alejandra?
Good.
-Good? -Yes, I love her a lot.
I'm her mother.
-How's school? -Good.
Do you get good grades?
Is anything bothering you?
Nothing's bothering you?
They're taking my daughter from me.
Do you know everything that's going on?
Yes.
-How does it make you feel? -Sad.
Why?
Because I want us to be a big, happy family
when my mother gets out.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you, Juanita. You can leave if you want to.
Thank you.
Juanita...
Adopting her is impossible.
-It's impossible. -Impossible.
-I'm so upset by this. -Me too.
Sandra's been nothing but a victim here.
Unbelievable.
She was a victim of both her husband and her friend.
-I know. -Her friend betrayed her.
The right thing to do, even if the child suffers...
The Department of Children and Families
should investigate this case.
I doubt this woman's fit to take care of that child.
I'm not sure about this gentleman, either...
I live with my mother.
I'm getting everything ready
so we can be a family when she gets out.
He's a nobody. He's a stranger.
You keep saying the same thing over and over again.
It's like you think repeating it will make it true.
He might be a stranger, but he's her stepfather...
And they won't let you adopt her if her mother is being released.
What you did was so low.
It shows me you're an awful friend.
You don't care about anyone.
You're nothing but a bitter woman
who'd do anything to have a child, even if it's not yours.
She's my daughter, ma'am. She's my reason for living.
She's got a pathological fixation with the child.
Absolutely.
-I've raised her for ten years. -And we're thankful.
I understand she's taken good care of this child
and that she feels betrayed,
but she convinced herself she could adopt her.
I'm sure her and her friend were clear with each other.
"Take care of my daughter until I get out of prison."
That's what a friend would do.
I had to take her to a psychologist.
She's not being logical,
which tell me she's got psychological issues.
We'd have to investigate...
I'd explore your relationship with your mother.
It's like you want the type of relationship
you never had with your mother.
Her obsession with that child is unhealthy.
My ruling...
With the help of my lawyer, I was able to get a video.
Production has it.
In it, Sandra talks about all this.
Let's watch the video.
I think the mother... Let's hear what she has to say.
<i> One of the guards</i> <i> is listening to me...</i>
<i> My lawyer helped me</i> <i> record this video...</i>
<i> Please, ma'am...</i>
<i> I beg of you, give custody</i> <i> of my daughter to my husband.</i>
<i> She's my whole life.</i>
<i> I'd love to be reunited</i> <i> with my family.</i>
<i> He'll take care of her</i> <i> while I'm here.</i>
<i> Don't let that</i> <i> woman keep my child.</i>
<i> I love my daughter.</i>
<i> Please, don't do this to me.</i> <i> I love my daughter!</i>
She's my daughter, too.
No, she's not.
I've been taking care of her for ten years.
You're unhinged.
My ruling...
I'm calling the Department of Children and Families
and getting them involved in this case.
They'll perform a home study of the defendant.
If they consider you live in a healthy environment,
then they'll let her live with you.
As for you,
it's obvious you took decisions you shouldn't have.
I don't know if it's because you have mental issues...
I don't know what your problem is.
All I know is that you're a lousy friend.
You looked after that child for ten years,
but I think you did it because you wanted to be a mother.
What you did to send her back to prison was so despicable
that you don't deserve to be with that child anymore.
Your claim is denied.
That's my ruling. Its final. Case closed!
We'll take a break and be back with more<i> Case Closed.</i>
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