If it's true as rumored, that divorce was in the works, it could be that oldest daughter might have thought younger sister would be removed from harm.
Very good point, Scaredkat!
I think it would be great if Elizabeth were in hiding, being sheltered by someone. It's certainly better than being dead, as I suspect she is. But I have trouble picturing someone who is so altruistic that they'd just keep her for the rest of her childhood, and so powerful that no one would question the new addition to their family. If this theory is true, then I suppose years from now we'll have some woman coming forward claiming to be Elizabeth, like Anastasia Romanov, and wanting her share of the inheritance when one of the parents dies. It's just too farfetched, but it would be great if it were true, b/c it would mean she's alive and okay.
That's not always true scaredkat. With the case I know of the oldest daughter left the other two daughters behind. For some reason she didn't think anyone else would be abused. Sometimes the abuser tells the abused that they are "special" and the older daughter wouldn't think the younger ones will be abused. We are talking about children here and depending on how the abuser approaches the child with "love" or with "violence" makes a big difference in how the child reacts.