The paramedics were tending to him, their movements brisk and professional. I forced myself to stay back, knowing I’d only be in their way. “What happened?” I demanded, turning to Amber, my voice a mixture of panic and fury.

She stammered, unable to meet my eyes. “It was supposed to be a joke… a little fun. We… we played hide and seek, and I thought it would be funny to pretend we couldn’t find him…”

“You lost him?” I interrupted, disbelief and anger surging through me.

“No!” she insisted quickly. “He was hiding in the play tunnel. I thought he was just pretending to sleep, you know? Kids do that sometimes. I didn’t think… I didn’t…”