The suspected offenses, charging decisions, and each person’s role would be reviewed by investigators and prosecutors with the relevant jurisdiction.

Possible kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud, and other offenses were serious questions.

They were not sentences pronounced by me while holding my child.

I did not know whether federal authorities would take part or what charges would ultimately be filed.

Crossing state lines could be relevant; it did not allow me to guarantee a particular prosecution or decades in prison.

What I knew was that the three adults were no longer directing where the baby went.

The physician and clinic material remained under investigation separately.