Who is Loretta Quail from The Deep End of the Ocean and what is their importance?

Loretta Quail is a psychic. Candy and Beth visit Loretta, hoping to get information on Ben. Loretta claims that she has never been wrong, and while in her tranced state, she sees Ben dreaming on lacey fabric in a polished wooden box with a curved lid. We later learn that Ben has a memory of hiding in the family's cedar chest.