moment. “Because Mommy stays with us when we’re scared.”

His small voice carried through the high-ceilinged courtroom.

“Daddy said if we lived with him, the lady would buy me a big electric car,” Mateo continued.

Julian immediately leaned toward his attorney and began whispering.

“Do you want the electric car?” the judge asked.

Mateo shook his head. “No. Because when Daddy went outside to talk on his phone, Sophia cried, and the lady grabbed her arm really hard.”

Sophia leaned against her brother’s shoulder.

The advocate then presented the certified medical photographs documenting the mark taken at urgent care the previous evening.

Julian suddenly stood. “Your Honor, children get marks while playing all the time! She’s telling them what to say!”

Mateo visibly startled at his father’s raised voice.

“Mr. Lopez, please sit down immediately, or you may be asked to leave the courtroom,” the judge warned