As Officer José López parked his patrol car in front of the small, weather-worn house on Maple Street, he felt a knot form in his stomach. The details Vanessa had relayed to him were troubling, and he knew the situation required not just his training but his empathy. He approached the door, noting the faint sound of cartoons still playing inside, mingling with the unsettling silence that often accompanies distress.

He knocked gently, announcing his presence, “Liliana, it’s Officer López. I’m here to help you.”

There was a pause before the door creaked open, revealing a petite girl with wide, teary eyes. Liliana’s face was pale, her fragile frame swallowed by an oversized t-shirt. Her gaze was a mix of hope and fear as she stepped back to let him in.“Hi there, Liliana,” Officer López said softly, kneeling to her level. “Can you show me your tummy?”

Liliana nodded, lifting her t-shirt slightly to reveal a distended abdomen. Alarm flashed through Officer López’s mind. He knew they needed medical assistance immediately. “Liliana, I’m going to call an ambulance to make sure your tummy gets the right help, okay?”

She nodded, trusting his words, as he radioed in for medical support. In the meantime, he sat with her, asking gentle questions to piece together the situation.

“Liliana, can you tell me more about what happened when your dad and his friend came over?”

Her small voice was hesitant but honest. “They always bring food. At first, it tasted funny, but they said it was special. After eating, my tummy started hurting. They said it was normal, but…” she trailed off, tears brimming once more in her eyes.