In the criminal justice system,
sexually based offenses
are considered especially heinous.
In New York City, the dedicated detectives
who investigate these vicious felonies
are members of an elite squad
known as the Special Victims Unit.
These are their stories.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪ ♪
Hey, Mom.
I know I haven't been here in a while, but...
But I have been thinking about you...
[CHUCKLES]
Especially in therapy.
In fact, that's why I'm here.
I just want you to know
that I've been working really hard,
on forgiveness.
♪ ♪
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there's offence, let me bring pardon.
Thank you for meeting me.
To be honest, I was a little shocked you called.
I told you over the phone, I forgive you.
And Chris?
- We have a lot to talk about. - What, we do?
I... I want you to know, whatever happens,
we are in this together.
So, how is Ellie doing?
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
We are headed to Blackwater State Park.
That is so pretty. Oh, Chris, my phone.
Oh, oh, oh. Be safe.
- Have a safe... - Thank you.
Today, Chris surprised me by taking me to a thrift shop.
- Guys. - We did it.
We ran into a bit of car trouble.
♪ ♪
Are you sure she can hear this?
Yes, she just squeezed my hand.
OK.
You see?
You and Chris really did love each other, Ellie.
Well, your mom has forgiven him,
- and I hope you will too. - We are on a road trip.
- [LAUGHS] Day one. - Here we are.
Morning.
It's quiet in here, for a change.
Well, we were all just talking about Carisi's trial.
It's time to set a date.
The prosecutor trying to make a deal?
Well, Carisi told me all about it on the way in.
- That deli standoff? - Deonte Mosley.
I heard he's pleading not guilty.
Well, he's claiming duress, not to mention self-defense.
Who's stupid enough to take that case?
According to Carisi, some young
hotshot attorney who's looking to make his bones.
Can you picture it, Carisi in a witness box?
Benson.
I might have to show up to see him held in contempt.
Uh, yes.
Yeah, of course. I'll meet you there.
Everything all right?
- You remember Ellie Hughes? - Yeah.
That influencer case, the girl from California.
- Isn't she still in a coma? - She is.
Her doctor called just to let us know
there's been a complication.
I know you have a relationship with Ellie.
Well, I actually haven't seen her
in a few months though. Is... is something wrong?
- This is delicate. - OK.
I think you should hear it from her mother first.
OK, thank you.
To distract the wolf.
Hey.
Olivia.
So nice to see you.
- Oh. - Oh.
Ellie, look who's here.
Hi, Ellie.
- May I? - Yeah.
OK.
It's Olivia.
- Oh, you got your nails done? - I did them for her.
I was gonna take some new photos
for her Instagram later.
Oh, you... you still keep that account active?
After all the press surrounding her case,
she has more followers than ever.
Oh.
Well, your nails look very, very pretty.
So, Laura, how are you doing?
I've never been happier. How are you?
- I'm... I'm good. - Good.
Good.
Yeah, so, um, Ellie's doctor called me
and let me know that there was a change in her...
her condition.
We just got the most amazing news.
OK.
I'm gonna be a grandmother.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪ ♪
Ellie's pregnant.
Yeah.
Oh, she's beautiful, isn't she?
Wow.
Um, how... How far along is she?
What difference does that make?
It's a miracle.
♪ ♪
So Ellie's pregnant.
I'm assuming that the father is her ex-boyfriend, Chris Becker.
I can't say that for sure.
Why not?
Well, how far along is she?
My best estimate, the gestational age
of the fetus is between 16 and 18 weeks.
So you're saying that Ellie could have
gotten pregnant after she was admitted to the trauma unit?
Yes, as much as I hate to consider
that this happened while she was in a coma,
- it's a possibility. - We need to get a DNA test.
Because if this is not Chris Becker's baby...
We're looking at a rape.
♪ ♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪ ♪
So Ellie Hughes is pregnant?
And the doctors can't determine who the dad is?
This isn't a typical pregnancy.
Because of the coma,
they cannot pinpoint the date of conception.
Obviously, Chris's DNA is in Ellie's rape kit.
So it's either the boyfriend who tried to kill her,
or...
Whoever raped her in that trauma unit.
That's messed up.
OK, so what's the play here?
Get a swab from every guy who visited
- Ellie in the trauma unit? - Yes.
And we need to get a fetal DNA test.
The problem is that Ellie can't consent,
and, the mother won't.
And the state can't compel fetal DNA.
You're not gonna like this,
but we can try and talk Chris Becker
into petitioning the court.
Fin, I already thought of that.
Downside is, if he is the biological father,
he can sue for visitation.
Maybe even custody.
And if he isn't,
that means that there's a rapist out there,
that is so depraved,
that he would assault a woman in a coma.
Listen, I know we don't want to
deal with Chris Becker again, but...
He might be our quickest option
if Laura won't budge.
OK, but you're driving us to Greenhaven.
And while we're there, tell Bruno and Silva
to get a list of every single person
who visited her in that trauma unit.
- Copy. - Let's go.
Wait, you think there's a chance
- Ellie's baby isn't mine? - It's a coin toss, but yeah.
Of course, it's yours, Chrissy. Who else's would it be?
Well, actually, there's a possibility
that Ellie was raped in the trauma unit.
By who?
We're trying to find that out.
What a load of crap.
Her mother, Laura, told me she never left Ellie's side.
Oh, so you and Laura are friends now?
Yeah, she called me the second she found out
- her daughter was pregnant. - Wait, how far along is Ellie?
Well, according to her doctor,
the baby was conceived between 16 and 18 weeks ago.
OK, well, that... that would have been
the end of our road trip, so...
Chrissy, let me and your lawyer do the talking.
As far as I know, Laura Hughes
is still Ellie's legal guardian.
- Is she not? - You're right.
Why the hell can't she agree to a DNA test?
We need you to petition the court for fetal DNA.
We might be willing to discuss
some sort of arrangement.
An arrangement? Oh.
What did you have in mind?
You get that judge who framed me
to reconsider my sentencing.
What are you hoping for?
Early parole.
Well, let's see if we can talk to the judge.
So we're gonna let him believe
we're going along with that early parole request?
I don't really care what he believes as long as it gets us,
you know, one step closer to justice
- for Ellie and this baby. - OK.
I see why this strikes a nerve in you.
What does that mean?
You want me to spell it out?
You want me to just go back in there like the old days
and knock some sense into Chris?
'Cause believe me, I will.
I really don't need to look for a new sergeant.
Hey, get the car, will you?
I'll meet you there.
Mrs. Becker.
What do you want?
Well, I understand that you've been talking to Laura.
Not that it is any of your business,
but we're gonna co-parent as grandmothers.
You know, I just wanted to make sure that you've
actually thought it through.
Of course, I have. It's Chris and Ellie's child.
Laura and I have it all figured out.
Oh, I just wanted to make sure
that you were aware that Laura is unemployed
and that she had quit her job to take care of Ellie,
and she's living off her deceased husband's pension.
- It's a fixed income. - Yeah, so?
Well, you work part-time in a beauty salon, right?
- Yeah. - OK, well,
child support in the state of New York
is 17% of the custodial parent's gross income.
Your son is gonna be in prison for 25 years.
So who do you think is gonna have to pay that 17%?
So, Mrs. Becker, we know that this child is Ellie's baby.
What we don't know yet
is whether or not it's Chris's.
Are you really willing to spend that kind of money
on a child that may not even be your blood?
So how'd that go?
Never underestimate the power cash has
to affect a person's morality.
Isn't Chris the one that has to petition
the judge for fetal DNA?
Yeah, but I think Virginia will convince him.
Now, all I have to do is talk to Laura.
We talked to some of the nurses in the trauma unit
who remembered Ellie having half a dozen
male visitors during her month-long stay there.
One was her uncle on her mother's side,
a few friends from college, and a couple collaborators
from the social media world.
All cooperated, gave DNA, and the lab's got the samples.
OK, well, might as well keep going.
What do you mean?
Well, it can't hurt to get a list
of all the male employees who worked in the trauma unit
when Ellie was there.
I'll call the hospital, let them know you're coming.
So, how'd it go at Greenhaven?
Benson's taking this a little personal.
Is there more to the story?
Don't look at me. I got a call to make.
Let's just say the Captain's going that extra mile,
for reasons that are none of our business.
You know what that means, don't you, Detective?
Yeah, we should stop asking questions.
- Laura. - Oh, Captain Benson.
What are you doing here?
It's past visiting hours.
- I'm here as a courtesy. - Oh, for what?
Well, I wanted to let you know
that Chris Becker has petitioned the court
to get a fetal DNA sample.
Virginia didn't mention that. She would have called me.
I think Virginia is a little more pragmatic than you think.
What are you talking about?
Well, I think that before she commits to
the responsibility of co-parenting this child with you,
that she wants to make sure,
that it is indeed her grandchild.
Who else's could it be?
I was with her the whole time she was in the trauma unit.
I never left her side.
But there had to be times when you,
you know, went home to shower,
or sleep or,
you know, get something to eat.
You think someone took advantage of my daughter
- because I left her alone? - No, no.
Laura, I'm not saying that.
I'm not blaming you.
I think that somebody may have
taken advantage of your daughter
because she was completely vulnerable.
And if that's what happened,
he may still be out there.
Laura, we need to get a DNA test.
My family is already pressuring me
to terminate this pregnancy
because they think the baby is Chris's.
What do you think they'll say
if you prove this child came from a rape?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Ellie didn't just lose what she had.
She... She lost her future, too.
And for months, I have been praying for her to wake up
so she can have that future.
I can't imagine what this has been like for you.
This baby is a miracle.
And miracles don't always happen the way we want them to.
Sometimes, they happen the way we need them to.
Please.
Please don't take my miracle away.
♪ ♪
In the matter of paternity of Baby Doe,
are all parties present?
Counselors, please identify yourselves.
Good morning, Your Honor.
Anthony Sullivan for the petitioner,
Christopher Becker.
I see Mr. Becker is joining us via video.
Can you hear us OK, Chris?
Yes, Your Honor.
And who is representing the mother of Baby Doe?
Emma Cartwright for Ellie Hughes, the mother of Baby Doe.
I understand the mother of the child in question
is unable to participate in these proceedings.
I am Ellie's mother, Laura Hughes.
I will be speaking for my daughter, Your Honor.
Thank you.
Mr. Sullivan, this is your petition.
Please state your case.
Your Honor, we're here today to petition for a DNA test
to determine whether my client, Mr. Becker,
is the biological father of Baby Doe.
Although incarcerated,
my client has signed a formal petition
to establish paternity,
as is his legal right under New York State law.
Christopher, is it your intent to petition
for paternity here today?
Yes, it is, Your Honor.
I understand the mother of the child
is in a coma and cannot consent to the test.
That's true, Your Honor, but my client seeks to know
if he has legal responsibilities towards the child.
Just to be clear, Your Honor,
we are not seeking any financial assistance
- whatsoever from the petitioner. - Mr. Sullivan?
This is not solely a financial issue.
We seek to serve the best interests of Baby Doe
by ensuring access to a complete medical history,
and we submit that a DNA test
does not cause harm or undue burden
to either Baby Doe or Miss Hughes.
How do you know what will cause her harm?
My daughter has been through enough.
She has had three surgeries, a craniectomy,
not to mention all the injections she's had already.
The last thing that she needs is another needle in her arm.
Laura, Laura, it's OK. She's got it.
I understand your concern, Mrs. Hughes,
but you need to let your lawyer speak for you.
- It's OK. - Miss Cartwright.
We oppose the petitioner's request, Your Honor.
On what basis?
The petitioner is currently serving
a 25-year sentence for the attempted murder
of Ellie Hughes.
- Mr. Sullivan? - We only seek to establish paternity,
and we're more than happy to
accept any safeguards to protect her.
In cases like this, the child's best interests
take precedence.
This court sees determining paternity
as a necessary first step to determine those interests.
Accordingly, I grant the petition.
We're adjourned.
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪ ♪
Yes, of course, I remember Ellie Hughes.
How's she doing?
Ah, she's as well as can be expected.
She's alive, but she's still comatose.
And her mother just found out Ellie's pregnant.
Pregnant? How far along is she?
We're looking at a window.
She's somewhere between 16 and 18 weeks.
She had a boyfriend, didn't she?
- Yeah. - It's probably his.
We'll know more after a fetal DNA test.
But with this kind of timeline, Mrs. Turner,
there's a possibility that the pregnancy may be due
to someone other than her boyfriend.
Are you suggesting it was someone who worked here?
That's exactly what we're suggesting.
We're gonna need a list of every male employee
who worked here during the month that Ellie
was in your trauma unit.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪ ♪
[SIGHS]
So what did the trauma unit administrator say?
She wasn't the most forthcoming,
but, at least she gave us a list.
How many names are we looking at?
Between doctors, orderlies, techs, and nurses,
somewhere between 115 men.
None of whom have a record of sexual assault.
Well, someone is about to get one.
So I just came back from the lab,
and the DNA results are in.
Let me guess...
not a paternal match to Chris.
So at least we know.
So Ellie's baby is the product of a rape.
♪ ♪
Laura.
I asked you to leave us alone.
Yes, and I'm sorry to intrude.
I just, um...
I wanted to talk to you about the DNA results.
Let's go in the hall.
I don't want Ellie to hear this.
OK.
So, um...
I wanted to let you know
that the DNA is not a paternal match to Chris.
OK.
Laura, do you understand what that means?
Yeah, I think so.
Well, just to be clear...
[PHONE BUZZING]
It means that Ellie was raped
in the trauma ward in the weeks
after she was admitted for her brain injury.
So did someone tell Chris?
- Chris? - He just won't stop calling me,
and I feel like I should call him back.
Don't worry about Chris, OK?
I... My detectives will notify him,
and they'll tell him to stop calling you.
I think the only thing,
that we should be concerned about right now is Ellie.
I understand that you have a job to do,
and I have to do mine,
to take care of Ellie and her baby.
My job is taking care of victims.
And your daughter is a victim,
and after everything you've been through,
so are you.
So I'm gonna look after both of you,
if that's all right.
OK?
OK.
Next.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪ ♪
Open.
Next.
Dr. Haimes. Paging Dr. Haimes.
Open.
Excuse me.
Who is that guy?
Chief of Neurosurgery.
Hey, excuse me! Doctor.
Where are you going?
- I don't have time for this. - Dr. Haimes.
- You hear that? - Yeah.
Well, unless you know how to remove a brain stem tumor,
get the hell out of my way.
I'm sorry, but we still need to swab you.
Then I suggest you come by my office
in about eight to ten hours.
What do you mean I'm not the father?
You sound like you're angry about it.
Well, yeah, I'm angry.
I'm angry at myself.
That means Ellie was raped while I was two floors down.
I should have been there to protect her.
Do you hear how that sounds?
Considering you're the one
who put her there in the first place.
Are you gonna go and find the guy who did this?
Let us worry about that.
Does he get to be a part of Ellie's life?
You think you should be?
Look, I photographed Ellie
at all of the happiest moments of her life.
Look, I don't care if that child is mine or not.
I still want to be a part of its life.
Well, that's not gonna happen.
Well, my mom told me that Laura forgave me.
Maybe she has, but we haven't.
And since we're here, let me give you this warning.
Stop calling Laura,
or you'll see how uncomfortable
I can make it for you here.
Jesus.
What the hell is wrong with that guy?
He's manipulative and delusional.
Well, it's a good thing Benson didn't come with us.
Yeah, she'd have jumped over that table
and smacked the blonde out of his hair.
About that, how's she doing?
What do you mean?
Come on, Fin, don't pull that.
You're forgetting I'm ex-IAB.
I investigated her.
- I know the full story. - What story is that?
The reason why Benson joined SVU in the first place
is because her mother was raped,
and Benson is the child of that rape.
Look, Benson's still working through a few things
like the rest of us,
but those things, are what makes her built for this job.
You're a good friend.
Why, because I try to keep quiet about her personal life?
I'd do the same thing for you, Curry.
I appreciate that, but I meant for preventing her
from having to come back here.
Yeah, well, let's just hope
none of us have to come back here
and see Chris Becker
or that mother of his ever again.
115 male employees in the trauma unit,
and not one of them is a paternity match
- to Ellie's baby? - No.
We even double-checked to make sure
we didn't miss anyone who was fired
or quit within the time frame.
Time to check the visitor logs from the entire floor?
I don't think that this is a random visitor.
Ellie's mother was there 90% of the time.
OK, so it had to be someone who
was around enough to notice when Laura was out of the room.
There is someone we missed,
and he probably knows that floor better than anyone.
- Who? - Ellie's crusty neurosurgeon.
Yeah, he managed to avoid giving us a sample.
Hold on. The chief of neurosurgery,
Isaac Haimes?
Yes, I met this guy.
Well, anything's possible.
Yeah, I talked to him,
when Ellie was first admitted to the trauma unit.
When we were trying to swab him,
and he said he was headed to surgery
and that we should come back
- in 8 to 12 hours. - Oh, did he?
Well, he's not the only busy one in New York City.
Well, do you want us to go back to the hospital
- and follow up? - No.
I will do that myself.
There, you happy now?
When it comes back without a match, I will be.
Look, you didn't have to give my detectives
such a rough time.
I'm sorry. A traumatic brain injury
took precedence over your caseload.
I understand that you have a demanding schedule,
but, you know, on my way over here,
I was looking at your visitation records
during the time Ellie was here.
- And? - And...
And you found the time to visit Ellie...
A lot.
She was my patient. Of course, I visited her.
But over 12 times?
And this was after you made the recommendation
to take Ellie off life support?
What was that about?
Captain, I'm not guilty of rape.
You'll see that when you get the results
of that swab you just took.
So why did you visit her?
To be honest...
You got in my head.
I visited Ellie to see if she was capable
of the response we talked about,
communicating by squeezing someone's hand.
And?
She never squeezed my hand.
But, at least it got me thinking.
About what?
Bigger things.
The human soul, I suppose.
I even asked the youth pastor about Ellie.
He always seemed to be spending time with Laura.
Doing what exactly?
Trying to convert her. Seems like it worked.
Paging Dr. Haimes.
The two of them were always praying together over Ellie.
A lot of good that did.
[TENSE MUSIC]
The youth pastor?
You're talking about Caleb Hartwell.
Mm-hmm. What can you tell me about him?
He helped me find my faith again.
Yeah, I grew up in a religious home
- when I was a kid. - Right.
At some point in my teens, I had a falling out with God.
I understand.
And Caleb helped me find my way back.
Yeah.
So I wanted to ask you a delicate question.
Was, was Caleb ever
alone in the room with Ellie?
Why?
Well, because...
Well, we DNA-tested
all the male employees that worked in the trauma unit
during the time that Ellie was there
and all of her visitors,
and there were no paternal matches.
You don't think it was my pastor?
Well, we don't think that it was a random visitor
or somebody off the street.
I mean, you were there so much,
that it had to be somebody who...
Who knew your patterns,
and when you were out of the room.
Caleb is a good man.
Yes, I know. I know that you think that.
But, are you sure,
that he was never alone
in the room with Ellie?
There might've been one time.
Uh-huh.
The day of the hero's walk.
A couple that Caleb was counseling,
Brandon and Christina Hanson, their daughter Michelle
was in a car crash... A drunk driver.
And she had brain swelling, too,
but she wasn't as lucky as Ellie.
So, they took her off life support
and donated her organs.
You can imagine what a difficult day that was for them.
And you spent time with them?
Two hours in the chapel.
And where was Caleb?
He was waiting with Michelle's body,
- in her room. - Mm-hmm.
And just out of curiosity,
where was Ellie's room in relation to...
To Michelle's?
Down the hall.
You pull the hospital footage
from the hallway in the trauma ward?
I scanned it through the day of the hero's walk.
- And? - We got him.
All right.
There's Pastor Caleb at 1:30 p.m. on November 21st
entering Ellie's room.
That fits the timeline that Laura said
- she was in the chapel. - Yes.
He then goes to Ellie's bedside.
Then, a few minutes later, he closes the shade.
No video cameras in the room.
- He leaves 15 minutes later. - All right.
So what do we know about Caleb Hartwell?
According to his website, he lives a life
of service and compassion.
"A devoted youth pastor who began volunteering"
"at the trauma ward where he saw the unique"
"struggles faced by teens and families in crisis."
OK, are there any complaints
from the hospital administration?
Hospital had nothing but good things to say about him.
But I'm guessing, he didn't need privacy
in Ellie's room just to pray.
So find out if he'll give a DNA sample.
[KNOCKING]
- Can I help you? - Caleb Hartwell?
- Yeah, that's me. - I'm Detective Bruno.
This is Detective Silva. We're with the NYPD.
NYPD? What do you need from me?
It's about Ellie Hughes.
Ellie Hughes.
Honey, everything all right?
Yeah, fine.
Do you mind if we come in?
No. Of course, not.
- What's going on? - Everything's fine.
Just go take care of Zachary's bottle.
Cute kid.
- [CHUCKLES] - How old is he?
Oh, just turned four months.
So what about Ellie?
So you do know her?
Yeah, I was working in the trauma unit
the night she came in.
It's horrible what happened to her.
When's the last time you talked to Laura?
We haven't really been in touch
since they moved Ellie to a long-term care facility.
You did have contact with them
when they were in the trauma unit?
Yes, I encouraged Laura to return to her faith.
We prayed together.
Were you ever alone with Ellie?
- No. - [BABY CRYING]
Uh, I had no reason to be.
I was fully occupied with the family
I was originally there to counsel, the Hansons.
And their daughter was in a drunk driving accident.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Laura mentioned that.
What's this all about?
Can we show you something?
- OK. - OK.
That's you, isn't it?
- I think so. - Going into Ellie's room.
I remember now.
On the day of Michelle Hanson's hero's walk,
it was very emotional.
I was called to Ellie's room in a quiet moment after.
Called by who?
[LAUGHS]
The Lord.
What happened in that room?
We prayed together.
That's it?
Where exactly is this going?
We're investigating something
that may have happened to Ellie.
Well, I wish I could help,
- but I'm... - Actually, you can.
Would you mind giving us a DNA sample?
To be honest, it's not really a good time,
and I have to help my wife,
and I have a sermon in a few hours
that I really have to prepare for, um,
But why don't you come back?
Yeah, we'll do that.
Great.
[BABY CRYING]
So, four months ago, the pastor's wife
is nine months pregnant.
And he's called by God,
to spend a quiet moment in Ellie's room.
He's never gonna volunteer a sample.
So what's the move here? We go through his trash?
That, or find probable cause to arrest
and get a judge to sign off on a DNA swab.
I trusted Caleb.
He betrayed me.
His story, he was in your daughter's room praying.
I left her alone,
so I could help people
who had just lost their child,
and he used that opportunity to rape my daughter.
Laura, we are so sorry.
But we're gonna get him.
How?
So we need a reason to arrest him,
to get his DNA.
Did you give him permission to go into Ellie's bedroom?
No. Absolutely not.
That's enough for criminal trespass.
OK.
Today, I want to talk about two things,
that can transform our relationships with others,
and God.
I want to talk about forgiveness,
and second chances.
That sermon he had to work on.
So we're gonna arrest him
in front of his whole congregation?
You heard the Captain.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus,
"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister"
"who sins against me?"
"Up to seven times?"
And Jesus responds,
"I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times."
Now, Jesus wasn't giving us a math lesson.
No, he was saying forgiveness,
is not meant to be keeping score.
It's about keeping our hearts open.
♪ ♪
If you would excuse me for just a moment.
♪ ♪
Going somewhere?
Pastor Hartwell.
- Who are you? - Ellie Hughes' guardian angels.
You're under arrest.
We got a DNA sample from the pastor?
- At the lab as we speak. - OK.
- He's willing to talk? - Lawyered up.
Church's head counsel,
but they're open to answering questions.
Does anybody even doubt that his DNA
is a match for that baby?
No, and the video footage
puts him in Ellie's room in the time frame.
So do we even need to talk to him?
We do.
Pastor Hartwell, I'm Captain Benson.
This is Detective Bruno.
I believe we met.
We're here willingly. What do you want to know?
I would like to know,
what this is about.
I already told you, detectives, we were praying.
Right, and they don't believe you
any more than I do, so...
I think the real question here is,
will you tell us what really happened in that room?
That is between me, Ellie, and God.
So you're saying, God called you,
to rape a comatose woman?
Your words, not mine.
But as to why I was called to Ellie's bedside,
God's will is unknowable.
Well, I'll tell you what I know.
I know...
That God didn't want you to rape
a completely helpless woman.
Ellie's not helpless.
She's very much alive.
Her spirit, her soul never left her body.
Are you saying she's in there?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.
Have a seat, Mr. Hartwell.
So...
Even if that were true...
She couldn't give you consent.
Laura shared with me, that you acknowledge,
that the core of who Ellie is,
the thing that makes her her,
might still be there.
So you're using
the tiny shred of hope,
that Ellie might one day wake up,
as an excuse,
for the fact that you sexually assaulted her?
- Did you hold Ellie's hand? - Yes.
Did you ask her to squeeze it?
I did.
And, do you think she was present?
I have no idea.
But we're not talking about me.
We're talking about Ellie, right?
Do you believe in God, Captain?
What would you say if I told you
this is all His will?
I would tell you that you are deeply confused
about who God is.
God allows bad things to happen
to good people every day.
Look at what Chris did to her.
So you made it worse.
How is bringing a life into the world worse
than trying to remove one?
I held Ellie's hand.
I... I...
Asked her if she wanted a baby.
I asked her to squeeze once for yes,
and she did.
[LAUGHS]
That is some story.
My client is telling you his truth,
which is based on faith.
There's no way to disprove that in court.
I'll tell you who's not gonna have
a hard time disproving it.
It's the 12 people on the jury.
Laura wanted a miracle.
Ellie needed a miracle.
So I gave them both one.
What happened is you raped Ellie,
and you conned her mother with your religion
so you could get close enough to do it.
I am not a con man. I'm a man of God.
Oh, a man of God.
And to answer your question,
I do believe in God,
and I hope that you do half as much as you pretend to,
because then you would know that there's a place,
for people like you,
that's way worse than any prison
that we could put you into,
but until that happens,
I'm gonna make sure that you spend
the rest of your days
in a 6 by 8 cell.
I promise.
♪ ♪
Lab confirms Hartwell's DNA
is a paternal match for Ellie's baby.
Carisi is aware?
He's arraigning Hartwell today.
And the grand jury?
Carisi doesn't think there'll be any problem
- getting an indictment. - OK.
I will let Laura know.
So you gonna tell her that religious BS excuse of a story?
This is her grandchild.
Whatever...
Whatever she decides,
it's up to her.
What about Ellie?
I was planning on talking to her too.
You really think she's somewhere in there?
Like, trapped inside?
I don't know, Fin.
But if she is,
she deserves to know the truth.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪ ♪
Hey, Ellie.
So I don't know if you can hear me or not,
but if you can,
I just wanted to let you know that...
That I understand,
the burden that your child will carry when...
When they enter this world.
And I understand it because...
Because I carry it too.
But the one thing that I do know for certain...
Is that your mother loves you...
Unconditionally...
Truly.
♪ ♪
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