“Possible severe dehydration. Send medical support now.”

The neighbors went quiet. The phone that had been recording lowered slowly to its owner’s side.

Natalie held Ella close and looked at the people who had already decided Andrew was guilty.

“This does not look like abandonment.”

Chapter 6 — When Is My Daddy Coming?

Ella was taken to the hospital, where the staff started fluids and began watching her closely.

She was exhausted, frightened, and badly dehydrated, but little by little she responded to treatment.