Investigators had contacted Brenda, who claimed Hailey fell while playing outside and that the water was used only afterward to rinse dirt from the wound.

When she learned there was footage, Brenda changed her description again.

She now said she had been spraying the plants and Hailey accidentally stepped into the stream.

Ruiz didn’t tell me what she believed.

She asked whether I could provide a list of anyone who had seen changes in Hailey’s behavior, including teachers, relatives, and neighbors.

I gave her names and explained that Hailey had a follow-up eye appointment the next day.

Ruiz said a child-protection worker would coordinate with the investigators, and that a specialist could speak with Hailey in a child-friendly setting.