Learning
During her time in New York, Crystal lived in a tight-knit Dominican community. She became so close with them that she learned fluent Spanish and had a whole family of her own. Her new identity was completely taking over the old. Still – Cynthia didn’t know why she left at all.
Explaining
Finally, Crystal gave in. She told her mother the truth behind the reason for her disappearance. From the time she was 9 years old, a neighbor had started sexually assaulting her. This continued for the next few years. In fact, it happened so much that the little girl started thinking it was normal.