My story takes place in California, modern time. The main character, a 13 year old girl, has been sexually abused by her stepfather from the age of 8. She attempts to light him on fire while his is asleep. Her mother calls the cops, and she is taken in to custody. My questions:
1) I would like for her to be placed in a mental institution for a while (due to some other plot points). Is a psych evaluation normal, or will she need to act "crazy" for them to do one? She has a dissociative disorder.
2) When the details of her molestation come out, what is likely to be her punishment? (Her stepfather suffered some burns to his legs.) What is the likelihood that she will be placed in a foster home?
Thanks, all!