“They drugged him,” I whispered, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

“They drugged my baby.”

“That is a lie!” Josephine screamed, slamming her palms down on the table.

She stood up, her face turning a deep, angry red.

“We did nothing but care for that child while his useless mother neglected him!”

“Sit down, Mrs. Sullivan,” the judge said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“I will not warn you again.”

“But Your Honor—” Melanie began, her voice high and panicked.

“Sit down,” the judge repeated, pointing her pen at Melanie.

Melanie grabbed her mother’s arm and pulled her back into her chair.

Josephine sat, but her eyes glared at me with pure hatred.

The judge looked back down at the documents, then at the yellow legal pad in front of her.

“The court finds the medical evidence conclusive,” the judge said, her voice clear and firm.

“The toxicology report confirms that infant Sam Sullivan was systematically sedated with unprescribed medication while in the care of his grandmother and aunt.”

“This constitutes severe physical abuse and criminal child endangerment.”