Every day, a three-year-old boy sat alone on a park bench for hours—until one morning, a runner looked closer and uncovered a truth no one was prepared for

the risks to the child.

Then the prosecutor stood.

“Your Honor,” he began evenly, “the facts are straightforward. This mother lacks the means to provide a safe and stable environment. The child was found alone in a public park for hours. It is only by chance that nothing worse occurred. The State must intervene when a child’s well-being is at risk. continue reading …