A commotion in the hallway drew their attention. The door burst open, revealing a woman in hospital scrubs, her face a mask of fear and confusion. “Where’s my daughter?” Sarah Taylor demanded, her voice raw. “What’s happened to Emily?”

Officer Daniels stood, his manner gentle but firm. “Ms. Taylor, I’m Officer Daniels. We’re looking into a concerning situation involving Emily.” Sarah’s eyes darted frantically around the room, landing on the drawing. Her face drained of color.

“Did Emily draw that? Where is she?”

Before he could answer, his partner, Officer Rivera, returned to the doorway, his expression grim. “The backpack,” he said quietly to Daniels. “You’re going to want to see this.”

Sarah’s world narrowed to a pinpoint as she followed the officers down the hushed corridor. Outside the nurse’s office, Daniels paused. “Ms. Taylor, I want to prepare you. Emily is physically safe, but she’s clearly distressed.”

Inside, Emily sat on a small chair, a tissue clutched in her tiny hand. When she spotted her mother, her face crumpled. “Mommy!” she cried, running into Sarah’s arms. Over Emily’s head, Sarah could see Officer Rivera holding her daughter’s backpack with gloved hands, placing it carefully into a large paper evidence bag.

“Emily, sweetheart,” she whispered, pulling back to look into her daughter’s tear-streaked face. “Can you tell mommy what happened?”

“It hurts to sit down,” Emily sobbed. “And I got in trouble for not sitting in class.”

Sarah felt a chill. “What hurts, Emily?”