Investigators and child welfare professionals were reviewing the fact that Eli had been left home alone, even for a planned short errand.

Teresa did not deny it.

She was painfully aware of what could have happened if he had become ill during those four days.

“I thought thirty minutes,” she said, tears standing in her eyes.

“It was a terrible choice.

But I was coming back.”

Lena nodded.

“Now we focus on making sure he never has to wait alone like that again.”