Investigators found inconsistencies that could not be reconciled with Richard’s explanation of a harmless medication mistake.

The court process also required the state to prove its allegations to the applicable legal standard, not simply to repeat them with greater conviction.

Caroline followed events through her lawyer and the victim-support worker, who helped shield the girls from unnecessary details.

Richard, through counsel, maintained that he had intended to help Violet and had never meant to hurt either child.

Some of his supporters continued to insist that a respected physician could not have acted wrongly.

Others withdrew once the records became clearer.