Echoes of the Unseen

We hired a quiet nanny for my seven-year-old son, drawn by her glowing references and gentle demeanor. He bonded with her instantly—too much. He’d only eat if she fed him and cried when she left. Initially, I was relieved he felt secure, but unease crept in.

One day, tidying up, I found a laminated photo of my son in her bag, labeled “MY son” in jagged handwriting. The possessive tone chilled me. That night, another mother called, warning that the nanny had claimed her daughter as her own, even returning after being fired. Alarmed, I contacted the police.

They uncovered journals in her apartment filled with photos of my son and other children, all marked “mine.” She was arrested for stalking and identity fraud. Though she’s gone, the thought of how close she came to infiltrating our lives haunts me. I still check the locks at night, wondering what might have happened.