But with long hours at the restaurant and a growing child at home, Sandra realized something had to give.

“We need someone to help with Matteo,” she said one night as she folded laundry between bites of leftover pasta.

They didn’t want to leave their son with a stranger, so they hired Anthea—their neighbor’s daughter, a teenager who always seemed available and friendly. Her job was simple: pick Matteo up from daycare and watch him until his parents returned home in the evenings.

“He’s a sweet, quiet boy,” Andrew told her. “Just keep him happy and safe.”

The arrangement gave Sandra some peace of mind. She hated leaving Matteo in someone else