When my brother proudly announced that his wife was pregnant with baby number five, my parents cheered like the whole family had been blessed. Dad smiled and said, “Great job, son,” but Mom’s eyes shifted straight to me. “You’ll handle the kids

The next morning, my phone rang at 7:42.

I nearly let it go, but the number was local and unfamiliar.

“Hello?”

A steady male voice answered. “Ma’am, this is Officer Daniels with the Brookhaven Police Department. Am I speaking with Olivia Carter?”

My stomach clenched. “Yes.”

“Your brother and sister-in-law listed you as the responsible caregiver for four minor children this morning.”

I sat upright in bed.

“They what?”

There was a pause.

“Ma’am,” he said carefully, “we need you to come to the station and make a statement. The children were found alone.”….