The Oregon rain battered the roof as Jessica navigated the dark hallway toward a small back bedroom. She found nine year old Chloe and her five year old brother Leo hiding together inside a cramped closet. Chloe was firmly gripping an old cell phone and bravely using her own body to shield her younger brother from harm. Jessica crouched down to their eye level and offered gentle reassurance that the authorities were there to help and that medical professionals were already arriving for their mother.
Chloe asked about the status of her father and Jessica honestly informed her that he was currently in police custody. The young girl expressed relief to her brother before pulling him into a tight embrace with the officer. As backup units flooded the house medical personnel prepared to transport Sarah to the hospital. The officers escorted the children to a safe landing where they witnessed their father being led away. David loudly complained about the situation and blamed his wife but Marcus forced him outside.
As Vince was escorted out by another officer Chloe quietly noted that his actions usually signaled the beginning of the household disturbances. This heartbreaking observation made the officers realize the deep ongoing struggles the family had faced. Emergency responders carefully carried Sarah downstairs on a medical backboard to a waiting ambulance. Jessica shielded the children from seeing the full extent of their mother being treated but Chloe still recognized her and showed immense emotional maturity as she processed the traumatic events of the evening.
Jessica promised Chloe that they would be taken to a safe location and that the men would not be returning to harm them. The officers guided the children out onto the porch into the freezing drizzle as police cruisers illuminated the neighborhood. Near the front gate Marcus noticed a set of deep footprints in the mud that did not belong to any officer or suspect. The large boot tracks led directly to a side window and then quickly retreated toward the empty street.
