They only let their adopted daughter upstairs to do multiple chores. From a young age, she had to tend to farm animals. And her mother required massages.
Adopted into slavery
Michael Lewis, Olivia’s lawyer said “Her life was a nightmare, in that she was treated in the most vile fashion. And as the lawsuit indicates, the people who should have protected her didn’t. And it’s shocking.”
The suit alleges Olivia was denied her rights under the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The state “permitted slavery to exist in its jurisdiction.”
“It takes enormous courage to do something like what she’s done here,” Lewis added. “And the big question is whether she’s going to be punished for doing that or whether there’s going to be an acceptance of some level of responsibility.”
Her nightmare ended in 2018 when she escaped for the last time. After multiple escapes where the police ignored her claims of abuse, this time they listened.
Thomas and Denise were charged with abuse.
