But in the photo, the shirt was smeared with something dark and sticky down the front, his hair was disheveled, and he looked exhausted and unkempt.

“This photograph, taken by a licensed investigator, reflects the grim reality of the child’s daily existence,” Carroway stated, letting the silence hang.

“The child repeatedly appears in worn, soiled clothing. His mother works erratic, desperate hours, lives in a cramped, unsuitable apartment, and cannot even provide consistently presentable attire for a growing boy. We argue this constitutes neglect.”

People in the courtroom shifted in their seats, their eyes darting toward us. Nolan stopped swinging his feet.

He looked down at his lap, his ears burning a bright, humiliating pink.

In that agonizing second, I understood the full scope of it. Grant wasn’t asking for more weekend visitation.