Fran Bailey panicked as she surveyed the child Rose Peterson aged five under her authority in the Little People Pre School.

At age sixty Fran had been with the school for most of her teaching life and was struggling with health issues none of her fellow staff were aware of as she was a very private person. As a teacher Fran was experienced and considered to be good with the children assigned to her and put on an excellent front to parents who delivered their children to preschool each morning of the school week. Her teaching results were excellent.

The principal of this school Diana Murchison respected Fran though the relationship from Fran’s point of view was strained as she’d been passed over by the board when they were looking for a replacement principal a few years back though she’d done her best to convince the search committee she was adequately equipped to handle this administrative position. But Diana had impressed the search committee members as being the one with all the teaching background and administrative skill sets to do the job better and the board was happy to ratify their recommendation.

Fran looked at the young child sobbing at her play desk and holding onto her arm which looked red and would eventually change into bruising. She wondered whether there was any further evidence of mistreatment under the child’s cotton top tucked into her jeans and moved over to check. But as she approached the child Rose sobbed even louder, and Fran rushed over and whispered in the child’s ear then raised the cotton top to inspect. The little girl sobbed silently.

Fran looked around to see if there were any children or staff in proximity. Rose should have been out on their combined exercise routine for this period, but Rose had been kept back as punishment for disturbing the class. Fran’s brain raced to find a solution to the problem and then whispered in the child’s ear again and Rose trembled. She then took the child’s hand and marched her to the principal’s office and burst in much to Diana’s surprise. Fran spoke.

“I think you need to look at this Diana and decide what needs to be done. We have regulations in cases like this so I’m passing it to you to decide what to do. She indicated the redness on Rose’s arm and lifted her cotton top to reveal the same there.”

She turned to Rose and spoke to her.

“Remember what I told you and everything will be alright Rose.”

Diana looked at Fran inquiringly.

“What did you tell Rose that will make it alright Fran?”

“Only that Diana would make things right.”

Diana nodded.

Diana got off her chair and came to give the small girl a closer look speaking soothingly to her as she inspected under the cotton top.

“I’m so sorry you got hurt Rose. To show how sorry I am I’m going to give you a chocolate to eat while we talk. Would you like that? I’m going to let you rest on the couch for a while and you can read books until you feel better. Is there anything else you’d like me to get you so you can begin to feel better?”

Diana was a very intelligent woman and had one of her degrees in child psychology so would draw out of Rose what had happened as the child began to relax. Something in the back of her mind cautioned that those marks were fresh enough to have been inflicted more recently than prior to the delivery of the child several hours ago to the school’s care. But who would do such a thing among her staff? They were all highly professional and there was no evidence of anything like this happening in this school before.

Regulations required parents needed to be notified immediately when something happened to a child in care but so did the government child protection agency and this was going to be a highly sensitive job. It would be important to have the child’s input before doing this. She sent Fran back to the classroom as it was time for the children to return to classes after this recess period.

Eventually Rose calmed down as she studied the heap of children’s books Miss Diana had provided at the couch and Diana deemed this a proper time to try and draw out of the child what had happened. But the child didn’t respond to Diana’s carefully constructed questions and kept silent. Diana sighed. It was now out of her hands. She went to her computer and searched for the Peterson file locating their contact number. She phoned and Millie Peterson eventually picked up the phone.

“This is Millie Peterson; how can I help you?”

“Millie this is Diana Murchison principal of the Little People Pre School and I’m afraid there’s been an incident with your daughter Rose which will have to be reported to Child Protection. We are bound to do this as we will lose our licence to operate the school if we don’t. I think you’d better come to the school office and be here when a child protection officer comes to take over. I’m sorry but I’m legally bound to do this, and it in no way implies the school is taking a position on this issue.”

Millie gasped as the import of what had been reported sank in.

“Is Rose, OK? Is she injured? Does she need medical help? I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Millie Rose is in my office reading books and being cared for would you like to speak with her?”

Diana put the phone on speaker and hit the record button so she could have the conversation on file for child protection. Rose eagerly took the phone knowing her mother was on the line and spoke while quietly sobbing again.

“Mom, I want to come home.”

“I’m coming now sweetie. What happened to you?”

Rose turned to look at the door but remained silent.

“Rose speak to me sweetie I’m coming over to get you.”

Diana retrieved the phone and spoke.

“We’ll talk about it when you get here Millie.”

Ten minutes later a dishevelled Millie Peterson was at the principal’s office door and sighting her daughter ran to the couch to take her in her arms speaking soothingly to her. Diana pressed the record button on her phone again. Millie inspected her daughter’s arm.

“Who did this to you Rose? These marks were not on you when I bathed you ready for school this morning. Did one of the children hit you? That’s a nasty bruise developing.”

She turned to Diana.

“Don’t you have procedures in place to protect children from injuries like this. How could this happen and where was the supervisor. This school comes highly recommended but look what you’ve done to my child.”

Just then two women entered the room introducing themselves.

“We are from child protection office and came immediately when you called. They proceeded to the couch. This is the child, and we presume you must be the mother. I don’t know if you’re familiar with government regulations but I’m afraid that in the process of our work we are going to have to examine everyone in this school who has any connection with your daughter but also investigate the possibility this could happen in a home situation. We are not accusing you and apologize in advance for what we must do to ensure the child’s wellbeing is protected. Perhaps we can start by asking names.”

Diana spoke.

“The child’s name is Rose Peterson, and parents are Bruce and Millie Peterson.”

“Who reported the incident we will need to interview them and any others who may have been witnesses if the event occurred in this school.”

“The incident was reported by Fran Bailey one of our oldest staff members who has an excellent record as a teacher. Her file can be accessed if necessary.”

“Do you have a room where I can interview Fran Bailey or any others who may be witnesses?

“We do have an interview room, and I’ll see you settled there and ask Fran Bailey to go there for any questions you may have for her or anyone else on the staff. I’ll arrange for someone else to supervise that room while Fran is being interviewed.”

The one in charge of child protection for this case indicated to her partner she should accompany Diana and interview Fran. She turned to Diana before she left.

“May I use your office to interview Rose and while I do that Mrs. Peterson you should not talk to Rose or me. I’m allowing you to remain only to help Rose feel safe as I question your daughter.”

Diana watched with appreciation as the child protection officer quickly put the child at ease asking her questions about the books she was reading and what her favorited things were to do at home. She asked how Rose had hurt herself at home and Rose looked at her inquiringly but said nothing. The supervisor had caught Millie getting ready to protest at this leading question and gave her a warning glance. She addressed Millie.

“It’s important you be here to make Rose feel secure but if you say anything while I’m questioning then we will have to find other means to get to the truth. No one is accusing you Mrs. Peterson at this stage of the investigation so bear with us as we follow normal procedures.”

Millie nodded. The woman then turned her attention back to Rose who was busy snuggling in her mother’s lap reading a book. The woman pointed to a picture on the book Rose was reading. Can you read what that says Rose. Rose nodded and began to read loudly.

“That’s very good Rose, I bet you can sing too. Do you have any favorited songs they taught you at school here or at home?”

Rose smiled and burst into the school song they sang every morning before classes began. She was beginning to enjoy the interaction with this woman.

“Is your arm still sore Rose?”

Rose nodded and the woman turned a page in the book and asked Rose to read to her which she did enjoying the praise being heaped on her while her mother looked on proudly. Millie spent a lot of time with her daughter at the end of school hours teaching her practical skills and having Rose read aloud to her while she prepared their evening meal. Her brother Reg and daughter Susan included Rose in their afternoon activities and as far as Millie was concerned it was a happy home with her husband Bruce their protector and needs supplier. He worked hard at his job but made sure there was time for his family.

The child protection officer pointed to the bruise still red and developing.

“That still looks painful Rose. Can I see it and look under your cotton top?”

Rose shrugged continuing to read her book safe in her mother’s arms.

“It must have really hurt when you fell down at home Rose.”

Rose stiffened and looked at the door again to see if anyone was there but remained silent. The officer paused to think. Twice she’d looked at that door when any question as to the origin of the wound was raised. She noted that on her pad. Judging by the redness she wondered how this could have happened hours before the first report to them for action. She had to rule out the possibility of abuse at home so sighed turning to Diana and then Millie.

“Diana we will have to move our investigation off campus for the time being so I need to join my colleague quickly for consultations and then Mrs. Peterson and Rose will have to accompany me to another location”

She looked at her watch and turned to Millie.

“What time do your other children come home from school in the afternoon Mrs. Peterson?”

“I pick them up from their school at 3.30 pm unless there is a sports event at which time Rose, and I watch until they’re finished then we go home together.”

She sped out of the office to the interview room and saw her associate taking notes from Fran.

“Have you finished?”

“I need more time.”

“OK I’ve got to go so as soon as you’ve finished go back to the office but join me at the Peterson home at 3.45 pm. Get their address from Diana Murchison the principal before you leave. I’m heading for our doctor to give Rose’s body a complete examination to rule out long term abuse.”

Rose objected strongly to having to take her clothes off while the doctor examined her thoroughly from head to foot. Rose was in excellent health and the bruises were too fresh to have been inflicted until quite recently this day. This caused the officer to think for a long time. She phoned her colleague.

“Are you in a secure place to have a conversation without being overheard.”

“Just a minute.”

There was a brief pause.

“OK now what can I do for you?”

“Have you finished interviewing all the ones who have been potential witnesses to the case? Does the school have a video surveillance system installed and if so check out the room where the one who reported this case was supervising then get back to me quickly.”

Fifteen minutes later the call was returned.

“I’ve reviewed the video surveillance records and its sad viewing. The one who lodged a case complaint of physical abuse is the one who hit the child. She really lost it according to the video as the child had been creating a disturbance in the class from the time she arrived, and she was made to sit in a corner during recess as punishment but kept on being difficult. The old lady had enough and broke protocol to punish the child herself and in her frustration did it severely enough to cause those bruises. The video shows her whispering something to the child after beating her before taking her to the principal. She did this as she was fearful of losing her job and pension. We’ve found out she’s under treatment for depression. She’s suspended and without a job and it will be a case for the judge to deal with now.”

There was silence on the line for a while before the supervisor spoke with a sigh.

“What a tragedy for everyone concerned. I’ll tell Millie Peterson we’ve solved the case and dealt with it. Can’t say much more to her for legal reasons except to express the department’s thanks for their cooperation while we looked at all possibilities. What about the old lady she shouldn’t have been in service if her depression was out of control like that, but I suppose no one else knew. Will the police bail her or hold her until the judge deals with the case.”

The supervisor turned in surprise as she was tapped on the shoulder and saw Millie with Rose standing behind her. She stammered in embarrassment.

“I didn’t know you were out of the examination room. You were not supposed to hear that.”

“I had no idea you were going to have this conversation and was just going to inquire when we can go home. My car is at the Little People Pre School, and I need to pick up my other children. Can you take me there and let me know which police station they are processing Fran Bailey.”

“Please don’t involve yourself in police business Mrs. Peterson. This is not the time to be seeking revenge just let the police achieve justice for you.”

“We like Fran Bailey, and her life is destroyed now so we just want to make sure she can raise bail, so she doesn’t have to rot in a jail at her age. I’ll talk with Rose, and I think it would be important to Fran to hear Rose forgives her now that we know she’s being treated for depression. What a sad way to end a productive life. The children loved her. We will see our church gives her support through this difficult time ahead for her.”

The hardened child protection officer teared up trying to process what she’d just heard from Millie Peterson. She thought she’d seen it all. Usually, the perpetrator was the subject of vilification afterward, but this was crazy over the top forgiveness for.

The Petersons and Diana Murchison were there to receive Fran Bailey on release after Bruce Peterson paid the bail money. Rose sat with her while the Petersons drove her to Fran’s home and saw her settled looking to see she had enough supplies to care for her needs. Rose spoke at last.

“I’m sorry the police did that to you Mrs. Bailey and I’m sorry I caused disturbance in class the other day.”

Fran had shed enough tears and had no more to give so she spoke mechanically.

“I should not have hit you like that Rose, and it was right for the police to take me away. I’m sorry. I should not teach anymore as I have some serious health conditions and would not want to do such a thing again to any of my beautiful children I love so dearly.”

Rose spoke again.

“Mrs. Bailey I still want you to be our teacher we like the way you make class such fun.”

This was too much for the old lady to bear after what she’d done to the child so she wept bitterly and asked the Petersons to leave. Millie promised to look in on her next day to see if she needed any support from the church.

The next day when Millie arrived at Fran Bailey’s home she was confronted by police and ambulance in the front yard and house. Millie anxiously asked if the old lady was alright, and police took her aside to find out what relationship she had with the old woman and why her interest. On identifying herself the police told her that Fran Bailey was no more. She’d taken her life overnight but had left a letter for the Peterson family. The officer took Millie to the one in charge and he in turn consulted with another officer. He then spoke.

“You can read the letter but unfortunately we must keep it for the coroner who needs to view it before we can release it to your possession.”

He handed the opened letter to Millie to read then reached for it to be placed back in the envelope after she was finished. Millie cried all the way home. The letter had contained apologies to the family and thanks for the way she’d been treated after her despicable act, and she hoped what had happened to Rose would not affect her adversely as she grew and matured.

Taking her own life was her way of making amends.

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