Law and Order
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Maggie Corson is a teenage runaway who accused Sister Bettina, a nun at her Catholic shelter, of sexual assault, which was revealed to be a falsehood she was tricked into reporting.

History[]

Maggie was repeatedly raped by her stepfather for more than three years, starting when she was eight. When her mother blamed her, she fled and became homeless, abused, exploited, and addicted to alcohol and drugs. Her life was saved when she entered Haven House, a Catholic shelter for runaway girls, and Sister Bettina was one of the best, most protective staff on sight.

Maria Barragon was repeatedly raped by shelter director Jack Powell, and Sister Bettina asked Maria how she got less grueling chores, which Maria feared meant she was onto Powell's crimes. Fearing Powell's threats, she'd be kicked out of the shelter and abandoned to danger if she told, Maria took the opportunity of Sister Bettina scrubbing Maggie off in the shower, because she was drunk and at risk of being thrown out with another violation of rules. Maria lied when Maggie came to that she saw Sister Bettina kiss and fondle her, which left Maggie so traumatized, revolted, and feeling betrayed she ditched the home and returned to vagrancy.

She was at a diner with a pimp, Danny, when she was fed up with harassing and insulting her. She pulled a gun and fired at him, then held the gun under her chin to prepare to kill herself. The police talked her down, and she was arrested and charged with an illegal discharge of a firearm. When she recoiled at Sister Bettina coming to her defense, she gave her report of the lie Maria told her.

The charges were dropped against Maggie, and she was institutionalized. Sister Bettina was cleared, when Maria reported Powell for rape and got him convicted at trial. (L&O: "Sisters of Mercy")

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