“Her husband has been the only caregiver in this home.”

Officer Miller jotted something short on his clipboard.

“Is there any physical injury to the child?”

“No,” I admitted.

“Mary got her inside before she froze.”

“Then there’s no grounds for an incident report or any enforcement action tonight, ma’am,” Officer Miller said.

He sounded tired, his breath making small white puffs in the night air.

“This looks like a domestic disagreement about parental discipline.”