The officers quickly secured the scene and called for backup, including paramedics and detectives. The little girl stood quietly in the hallway, clutching a small stuffed animal, her eyes wide with worry and fear.

“Sweetheart, can you come here for a moment?” one officer gently called to her, trying to mask his concern with a reassuring smile.

The girl nodded and tiptoed over. “Are Mommy and Daddy okay?” she asked, her voice trembling.

The officer knelt down to her level, his heart heavy with the weight of what he had to convey. “We’re going to take good care of you, okay? We have some friends coming who will help us understand what’s going on,” he said, choosing his words carefully while avoiding a direct answer.