The Police Come
Sarah called the police to track down the child’s parents. However, they didn’t think it was urgent enough. Still, they took the baby, telling Sarah they’d contact her again. She knew it was a lie and had to do something!
The Police Come
Her Investigation
The mother knew there was more to that story because no one in their right mind would hand over a baby to an 8-year-old boy. Later, she wished she’d never gotten involved when she learned who the baby belonged to…
Her Investigation
Getting Answers
Eventually, Sarah got her answers, but it came at a high price. She brought her small family into danger to learn the truth. Who had given Max the baby? What did Sarah discover, and what happened to the poor baby?
Getting Answers
Sarah’s Confusion
Sarah looked out the window to see Max, her son, holding a baby. This caused alarm, so she ran to him and asked why he was holding it. Initially, she thought it was just a doll, but then she realized it was real. Max wouldn’t answer, but he was crying. What was going on?
Sarah’s Confusion
Have to Do It
With a trembling voice, Max said he had to do it. This led to confusion and alarm. Finally, Sarah took the baby away and examined it. The baby girl had a minor bruise on her forehead but seemed unharmed overall.
Have to Do It
How It Happened
Sarah asked Max what happened and tried to stay calm. He told her that someone approached him at the park and handed the baby to him, telling him to care for her. Then, they ran away. Without knowing what to do, he came home to his mother.
How It Happened
Calling the Cops
Sarah was upset because it was dangerous to hand a child a tiny baby. She couldn’t believe anyone could do such a cruel and heartless thing. Therefore, she told Max they ha to call the cops because it was a serious situation.
Calling the Cops
Doing It Herself
The cops finally arrived and took Max’s statement and the baby, promising to discover the person’s identity. However, Max and Sarah hadn’t heard anything for days and wondered if there was more to it. Therefore, she investigated it all herself.
Doing It Herself
Retracing Max’s Steps
Sarah started by retracing her son’s steps that day he found the child. She asked him to write everything down about what he did and where he went. Though he couldn’t remember it all, he tried, handing her the note later that day.
Retracing Max’s Steps
A Dangerous Situation
When Max handed the note to his mom, she went into action, telling him to stay at home until she returned. It seemed harmless, but it could easily become dangerous. He agreed, but he wished he could help.
A Dangerous Situation
Heading to the Park
Sarah went to the park where Max had been, walking his route. However, she didn’t see anything strange or suspicious. When she got to the park, she observed the surroundings while sitting on a bench.
Heading to the Park
Got a Break
After a while, she talked to the people around her to get clues as to who had given Max the baby. She went to clinics and hospitals, as well, but no one could help her. Finally, others recognized her, and she got a break.
Got a Break
The Anonymous Tip
Sarah got an anonymous tip one day. A note was on her front door, and she took it into the house to read it. It mentioned that a woman sat in the same spot each Wednesday to watch the children.
The Anonymous Tip
Taking Max
She was happy to get the information, and today was Wednesday. Therefore, she decided to take Max with her to the park, hoping he could recognize the woman. Sarah sat on the bench while he played with friends.
Taking Max
A Suspicious Woman
About 30 minutes later, a woman with large sunglasses sat down on a bench. She had no children and was alone. Sarah watched the woman all day, and it turned out that the note was correct. This was very strange.
A Suspicious Woman
Max Stays in the Car
When the woman started leaving, Sarah grabbed Max to follow the woman in the car. They stopped at a run down apartment building outside of town. He wanted to go with her, but Sarah said it was too dangerous and to stay in the locked car.
Max Stays in the Car
Going to the Apartment
Sarah walked to the apartment building door, trying to be nonchalant. She needed to appear familiar with the area, or she’d raise suspicion. Her heart pounded while she walked up to the second floor.
Going to the Apartment
Important Baby
As she got to the door, she knocked, though she wondered if it was safe and a good idea. What would happen if things went wrong or she got in legal trouble? Still, she knew the baby was important and proceeded.
Important Baby
A Different Woman
Another woman answered the door, and she seemed to be in her 20s. Her hair was dark and long, and she was wearing clothes that were too big for her. She asked what Sarah wanted, and she started to talk.
A Different Woman
Shutting the Door in Her Face
Sarah said she was searching for the woman who gave her son a baby, but the woman looked confused and said she was mistaken. Still, Sarah heard a baby crying and demanded answers. However, the woman closed the door on her foot!
Shutting the Door in Her Face
Yelling to Get Inside
Sarah banged on the door and yelled to be let in. Her heart was pounding as she realized it wouldn’t happen. Clearly, Sarah had to do something different, talking in a kind voice and asking to come inside and talk.
Yelling to Get Inside
Doesn’t Work
The woman inside the apartment threatened to call the police, but it was a bluff. She couldn’t do that because she’d get into trouble. However, her tactics weren’t working, and she had to think of something else.
Doesn’t Work
Her Next Move
Sarah had to think of her next move. This woman couldn’t close the door on her if she had a baby in dire need. Finally, Sarah pushed with all her weight to force open the door and get inside!
Her Next Move
Silent and Dirty
Immediately, Sarah smelled dirty laundry, and she knew it wasn’t safe for a child. However, she could no longer hear a baby crying. She went through every room, and then she heard noises outside. The woman from the park had run away with the child!
Silent and Dirty
Disappearing
Sarah couldn’t wait as she saw the woman disappearing around the corner. She jumped right out the window, running after them. In fact, she was angry and concerned. Though Max was safe, she didn’t want to be gone for too long.
Disappearing
The Chase
She chased that woman across streets and through narrow alleyways. Her mind raced while she tried to determine what had happened and why the woman was carrying the baby. Overall, the lady wouldn’t get away.
The Chase
Catching Up to Them
Sarah was closing in on the woman and finally heard the baby crying. This caused her to push harder, and she finally caught the woman in an alley. She looked desperate and frantic and was clutching at the baby.
Catching Up to Them
Not Giving In
Sarah asked for the baby, not sure of what this woman might do. In fact, the woman tried explaining the situation, but Sarah demanded the baby. Tears were flowing freely, but she did as asked.
Not Giving In
Uncontrollable Sobbing
The baby seemed unharmed, but she was distressed by the situation. Now, the woman was crying uncontrollably, and Sarah knew something else had happened. It was time for compassion.
Uncontrollable Sobbing
The Mother
Sarah spoke softly now and asked the woman what had happened to give her son the baby. The woman’s eyes were desperate, and she appeared to be in pain. She claimed to be the baby’s mom but had postpartum depression.
The Mother
Her Struggles
She couldn’t give her baby the care and love she needed and had reached her breaking point. Since she couldn’t think of anything else, she handed the baby to Max, hoping his mom would care for the baby.
Her Struggles
Opening Up
Sarah knew it was hard to be a mom and realized the woman needed mental help. She promised not to report the girl to the authorities and would get her assistance. Though hesitant, the woman knew Sarah was being genuine, sharing her fears and struggles.
Opening Up
Listening to the Story
Sarah listened to the woman’s story, offering understanding and encouraging words. She held the baby while the lady poured everything out. In fact, she’d felt isolated and overwhelmed but didn’t know where to go for help.
Listening to the Story
Her Reasons
She knew that Sarah was kind because of her reputation in the community. Therefore, she chose to leave the baby with Max, knowing she’d be cared for and safe. This saddened Sarah but made her feel good that she had such a reputation.
Her Reasons
Getting Professional Help
Sarah encouraged the woman to get help for the postpartum depression and connected her to local resources. Though hesitant, she knew it was the right thing to do, so she gave Sarah her contact information.
Getting Professional Help
Going Home
Sarah took the baby with her, and Max was happy to see them both. She explained everything, and he was excited to help out. They went to a baby store to get what they needed, and Max got a baby sister in the bargain!
Going Home
Caring for the Baby
Max and Sarah worked to take care of the baby for the next few days, bonding with the child. They named her Emily, and Sarah talked to the woman regularly to help her get professional help.
Caring for the Baby
Slow Recovery
The woman used Sarah’s support to get the therapy and medical care necessary for recovery. However, Sarah and Max fell in love with Emily and considered adopting her. They knew the lady might not be able to care for her for a long time.
Slow Recovery
Adoption
Sarah scheduled a meeting with the biological mother, asking how she was and preparing to ask her questions. She mentioned adopting Emily. Though there was silence for a long time, the mother agreed.
Adoption
The Baby’s Best Interest
The mother knew Sarah and Max would take care of her daughter, and that was the most important thing. Though it wasn’t easy to go through an adoption, they finally brought Emily home as part of the family.
The Baby’s Best Interest