Whitney needed childcare.

“Maybe we heard what was convenient,” I said.

Whitney looked at me, then lowered her eyes.

After a while, Hannah returned.

Piper had described being put inside the freezer on more than one occasion.

She said Dolores told her punishment was necessary whenever she cried or spilled food.

A child-protection report had been made, and law enforcement was investigating.

The hospital staff would not rush her discharge.