Two Dates That Changed Everything for Me
There are two dates that will forever stand out in my life when it comes to Carly.
The first was the night of September 16, 2024. I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across a Court TV segment covering the first day of Carly's trial. I watch court trials and documentaries often, so at first this felt like nothing out of the ordinary. But when I saw Carly sitting at the defense table, something shifted in me. I can't fully explain it-but I felt something in that moment that I had never experienced before. An instant, unexplainable connection.
From that night on, my thoughts and emotions revolved around Carly and her story. I knew I had to find a way to connect with her or her family. Soon after her trial and transfer to CMCF, I discovered-through a support group created for her-how to write to her through an app. Just a week later, I received my first message back.
From that moment on, not a single day has passed that I haven't written to Carly.
We got to know each other through simple, fun questions-"Would you rather?" or "Two truths and a lie." At her urging, I binge-watched all of the Harry Potter movies and came to love them as much as she does. Over time, Carly became a part of my daily life in a way I never expected. I also came to know her grandparents through email, and it didn't take long to see how much love, strength, and devotion flows through that family. They've been nothing but kind, open, and full of grace.
Any time my phone notified me that I had a message from Carly, it brought a smile to my face. And then came March 13, 2025-the second day that changed everything for me.
It was the first time I got to see Carly through a video chat, using a FaceTime-like app. I always knew that seeing her would be emotional, but I wasn't prepared for just how much it would move me. Seeing her-her sweet face, those soft cheeks, and that unforgettable smile-was a moment I'll never forget. It deepened my care for her even more.
Since then, others in our advocacy group have also had the chance to video chat with her, and I always tell them beforehand to be prepared-it changes everything. And every single time, I've been right.
I tell people that Carly changed me, and there is no truer statement than that. She quieted so much of the noise in my world. I used to keep up with celebrity gossip, fashion trends, and all the latest headlines. But since Carly, my focus has shifted. I now see a world where children desperately need to be seen, heard, and protected. Where mental health in young people is real-and it's dark, painful, misunderstood, and ignored far too often.
Carly is so much more than what the media has portrayed. She is not a monster. She is a child who needed help-and was failed by the adults and professionals around her. Now she is paying the price, while the doctors who over-medicated her and the systems that neglected her walk away with no consequences.
I used to believe what I saw on the news. But after seeing how much misinformation was spread about Carly-how facts were distorted, sensationalized, or outright fabricated-I began to question everything. If they got this wrong, what else have I accepted at face value without question?
I love Carly. And I want her to be saved from the injustices our courts continue to impose on children-especially children who committed acts during moments they can't explain or even remember. The way we treat kids in crisis is shameful. We dismiss mental health struggles in children simply because we don't understand them.
But mental illness in children is real. It's hard. It's heartbreaking. It's terrifying. And we, as adults, have a responsibility to protect these children-not punish them for what they couldn't control.
If the world could talk to Carly-really see her the way I have-they would understand. She is not what the headlines say. She is a kind, funny, thoughtful girl with a heart that shines through every message, every call, every smile.
Carly changed me. And I believe she could change many more-if only they had the chance to see what I see.
