I Was 29 and Single When I Fought to Keep Five Siblings Together. The Judge Asked Why, and My Answer Changed Everything.

Julian asked her whether affection could replace licensing.

‘No,’ she replied.

He asked whether it could eliminate the risk of failure.

‘No,’ she said again.

‘But separation also carries risk.

These particular children rely heavily on one another.’

I watched Lucas in the back row, holding Sophie’s rabbit while an aide kept the youngest children occupied with crayons.

He was listening to every word.