Kids Don’t Lie (Inspired By a True Story)

 

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Why would two daughters who love their father suddenly turn against and accuse him of sexual assault? Why would a devoted father, albeit not such a devoted husband, abruptly feel his life is coming to an end and be prepared to “swallow his gun”? Why would a law firm devoted to justice decide not to take on a high profile case that would bring them immediate publicity and position them as the best legal firm in the community?  

 

A loyal and caring father, STUART HADLEY, who is a tough, forceful deputy sheriff, is suddenly accused of sexually abusing his two daughters. This devastating event brings Stuart to the offices of Rank & File, Attorneys at Law. BRENDA RANK and PHILIP FILE have built an extremely successful practice defending women and prosecuting men who have abused, assaulted and threatened their clients. They have also built a close personal relationship that will soon translate into marriage. However Stuart’s arrival threatens to not only destroy their practice but also their relationship.

 

This gripping tale involves the dysfunctional Hadley family: JANE, adoring yet vindictive wife/mother, who rules the Hadley’s with an iron will; DARLENE, the older of the two daughters, who is afraid of her domineering mother and prays that her father or her football player lover will rescue and remove her from this prison called home; MELISSA, the younger of the two daughters, who admires and looks up to her older sister and is swayed by her every word; the oldest son, PETER, who chooses to ignore the turmoil by hiding out in his room to the music of rap and to the pictures of cars that cover the pages of his favourite magazines and Stuart the controversial husband/father/deputy sheriff who is caught up in the center of this turmoil.  As Jane and Stuart battle, their dislike for each other turns into hatred, until Stuart has the courage to leave and shortly thereafter the accusations from Darlene and Melissa come forward.

 

Brenda and Philip have worked well together until a begging Stuart throws himself into their lives. Philip must not only battle his partner on why he is defending someone who would ordinarily be prosecuted, but also, must battle an unscrupulous state attorney who is hell bent on putting Stuart away for good.  As the heat rises Philip must keep his eye on a growingly depressed Stuart, must hunt for an expert witness who can explain the daughters’ actions and must focus on winning this significant court case that he strongly believes in.

 

This story is a timely work since it captures in graphic detail the ever-present controversy about Parental Alienation Syndrome.