Chapter 10 - Emergency Guardianship
Chloe remained hospitalized nine days.
Pneumonia improved.
Dehydration corrected.
No neurological injury identified.
Toxicology could not reconstruct the entire period of sedation.
It confirmed recent exposure to a sedating substance inconsistent with documented prescriptions.
Police recovered medications from house, but prosecutors were careful about tying exact doses.
No dramatic certainty where science could not provide it.
That mattered to me.
I wanted truth strong enough without exaggeration.
Child protection petitioned emergency custody.
Julian and Victoria were barred contact.
I requested kinship placement.
At sixty-eight with residual mild left-hand weakness from stroke, I expected challenge.
The court did not assume age meant incapacity.
They evaluated.
Home inspection.
Medical letter from neurologist.
Driving? I no longer drove at night much, but had transportation.
Financial stability.
Support network.
My sister Ruth? Could introduce sister, but no need. I had a housekeeper twice weekly and neighbors. Perhaps close friend Helen. We can keep generic.
I had space.
I had health.
I had willingness.
Guardian ad litem asked:
“Mrs. Ashford, are you trying to become Chloe’s permanent parent?”
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“For her to be safe until the court decides what permanent means.”
Good.
Temporary placement granted after discharge.
No contact from parents.
Supervised written communication only if therapists later approved.
When I brought Chloe to my house, she stopped at front door.
“Is there a basement?”
“Yes.”
Her face changed.
“We don’t have to go down.”
“Ever?”
“Not until you want.”
She nodded.
Then:
“Do doors lock from outside?”
“No.”
“Can mine stay open?”
May you like
“Yes.”
She slept with bedroom door open for almost a year.
