“He’s dehydrated, malnourished, and exhausted, but physically he appears more stable. Pediatric social services and a physician are evaluating him now.”
Malnourished.
The word lodged in my chest like shrapnel.
I thanked the doctor because that was what civilized people did. Then I walked out into the hall, leaned against the wall, and covered my face with both hands.
A voice beside me said, “Mr. Parker?”
I looked up.
A woman in a navy blazer held a badge from Child Protective Services. Beside her stood a police detective in a rumpled suit carrying a notepad. There it was—the official version of the disaster. The state stepping in where a father should have stepped in sooner.
“We need to ask some questions,” the CPS worker said gently.
So I answered them.
Yes, Claire was the children’s mother.
Yes, we were divorced.
Yes, we had a custody agreement.
Yes, the children primarily resided with her during the school week.
Yes, I paid support and additional expenses.
No, I had not been inside her apartment in over a month because exchanges typically happened curbside.
No, I had not known the utilities were behind.
No, I did not know my daughter had been sick.
Yes, my son said Claire left Friday.
No, I did not know where she was.
The detective scribbled while the CPS worker watched my face closely.
“Did you have concerns about the mother’s care before today?” she asked.
The honest answer tasted like rust.
“Yes,” I said.
“What kind of concerns?”
“Instability. Missed appointments. Leaving them with other people too often. Prioritizing her boyfriend. Mood swings. Manipulation.” I paused. “Nothing I documented well enough.”
The detective lifted his head. “You suspected neglect?”
“I suspected selfishness,” I snapped, then immediately regretted the tone. I took a breath. “I suspected she put herself first. I did not know… this.”
The CPS worker nodded, but there was no comfort in it. Only procedure.
“We’re placing an emergency protective hold,” she said. “Given the circumstances, the children will not be discharged back into the mother’s care. Assuming your home is approved and there are no disqualifying issues, temporary placement with you is likely. We’ll need to visit.”
“You can visit today.”
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