She said hospital staff told her temporary protective services would arrange care until she recovered.

When she asked to see her baby, she was told a court had made decisions because of allegations about her mental health.

She fought them, but each door led to another lawyer, another form, another answer that made no sense.

Eventually, she was informed the child had been adopted and her legal remedies exhausted.

“I kept a picture,” she said, sliding a small photograph across the table.

A newborn in a pink blanket.