He Needed Counseling
Following two years of confinement and not seeing any other people, it was clear that Ricky needed professional intervention. The state initially kept custody of him in order to make sure he received adequate care and therapy before returning him to his father.
The Care He Was Given
In cases such as these, professional care is of utmost importance in order to ensure victims get back on track. Otherwise, victims like Ricky then may have to deal with declining mental health. Even though it may seem cruel not to return Ricky to Michael immediately, this was ultimately the right thing to do to make sure Ricky was transition back to normal life.