She recommended that I keep a written timeline of symptoms, messages, appointments, and anything Sadie disclosed in her own words.

“I don’t want this to turn into a contest about which parent can shout louder,” I said.

“Neither do we,” she replied.

“The goal is to establish what happened and what Sadie needs to be safe.”

In the corridor, a detective introduced herself as Nora Vale.

She explained that the child’s safety concerns had been referred to the appropriate authorities and that she was following up about the medication.

“I need to be clear,” Detective Vale said.