“Claiborne County Sheriff’s Capt. Sam Nelson, who investigated the case, testified that he told the older girl that she could go to prison if she had been witness to the events while she was an adult.”
More likely she'd had enough abuse at home, from the people who are at least supposed to love her, that she didn't want to stick around to see just how badly a malevolent government would treat her.
I pray you’re right. I was considering the threat she could pose to the father and the motive that might create to have her disappear.