Chapter 7 - LAURATommy’s mother was named Laura Hale.
She was alive.
That was the first piece of news that mattered.
Richard had told clinic registration:
“His mother left us.”
Technically true in the narrowest possible sense.
Laura had left the house.
But she had not abandoned Tommy.
Three weeks earlier she went to a domestic-violence shelter after a fight with Richard.
She had tried to take Tommy.
Richard blocked her.
Then called police himself.
By the time officers arrived, both adults were accusing the other of aggression.
Laura had a split lip.
Richard had a scratch on his neck.
No clear independent witness.
No immediate arrest.
Officers separated them.
Laura left for the night.
The next morning she sought legal help.
She filed for a protection order and emergency custody.
The initial temporary order gave both parents restrictions but did not immediately transfer physical custody because facts were contested.
A full hearing was scheduled.
Meanwhile Richard kept Tommy.
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Not because a judge had declared him safe.
Because family law often has a gap between crisis and final findings.
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