Theo answered questions quietly, rocking Amelie in his arms. “Do you know where your stepfather is?” the detective asked.
“At home… he was drinking,” Theo replied, his small voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.
Felix nodded to Officer Claire Hastings. “Get a unit to the house. Move carefully. We’re dealing with children at risk.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Hart treated Theo’s injuries: old bruis/es, a fractured rib, and marks consistent with repeated abuse. Social worker Miriam Lowe stayed by his side, whispering reassurance. “You did the right thing by coming here. You’re incredibly brave,” she told him.
By three in the morning, officers reached the Bennett residence, a modest home on Willow Street. Through frosted windows, they could see the man pacing, yelling into the empty room. When they knocked, the shouting stopped abruptly.
“Rick Bennett! Police! Open up!” one officer called.
No answer.
Moments later, the door swung open, and Rick lunged with a broken bottle. Officers restrained him swiftly, revealing a living room wrecked in anger—holes in the walls, a broken crib, and a bloodstained belt draped over a chair.
Felix exhaled as he heard the confirmation over the radio. “He won’t hurt anyone again,” he said to Miriam.
Theo, holding Amelie close, simply nodded. “Can we stay here tonight?” he asked quietly.
“You can stay as long as you need,” Miriam said, smiling.
Weeks later, during the trial, evidence of abuse was undeniable: Theo’s testimony, medical reports, and photographs from the house. Rick Bennett pled guilty to multiple counts of child abuse and endangerment.
Theo and Amelie were placed with foster parents, Grace and Adrian Colton, living a short drive from the hospital. For the first time, Theo slept without fear of footsteps in the hallway, while Amelie settled into daycare. Slowly, Theo began to enjoy the simplicity of childhood—riding a bike, laughing at cartoons, and learning to trust again, always keeping Amelie nearby.
One night, as Grace tucked him in, Theo asked softly, “Do you think I did the right thing, leaving home that night?”
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