The opposite of "certain" is not "minimal", but I can understand your backpeddling. The opposite of certain is "impossible". "Certain" means that something WILL happen and that there is NO doubt to the outcome, not "minimal" doubt.
The word "minimal" could be subjectively applied to anything less than a 50-50 shot, so you finally saved face. I agree that sally's chances probably exceed 50-50, but it is VERY uncertain who will win the case. Like the moves themselves, these cases are all over the map.
You also added the disclaimer "under the circusmtances provided." My point, of course, is that you can't possibly know all the circumstances. Until you hear both sides, you won't have a clue what her odds are. The mother may get the best lawyer in town and fight this with everything she's got, or she may do nothing at all.
Sorry, but you came on WAY too strong on this, possibly to make a profit taking children from their mother, but you are backing off now, so all there is left is to hope for those "minimal" odds to be your undoing.