I returned home from deployment three weeks ahead of schedule to surprise my husband and our four-year-old daughter

While my little girl sat frightened and hungry inside our home, the people responsible for her were raising glasses and celebrating aboard a cruise ship.

Then Detective Shaw placed another photograph in front of me.

It showed a handwritten letter.

The opening read:

“To whom it may concern,

I, Major Hannah Elizabeth Nolan, acknowledge that my military obligations prevent me from providing a stable home for my daughter.”

I continued reading.

“I therefore request that Patricia Nolan be recognized as Lily’s primary legal guardian.”

Tears blurred my vision.

At the bottom of the page was another forged signature.

Then Detective Shaw showed me a second document.

It was an application requesting emergency temporary custody.

The application rested on allegations that I had abandoned Lily by repeatedly accepting overseas military deployments.

I raised my head slowly.

“They were going to accuse me of abandoning her.”

Detective Shaw nodded.

“That appears to have been part of the plan.”