And Dawson loved his son too much to make him suffer merely because the adults had failed him.
Three days later, investigators obtained records indicating that Elliot's reported death had been falsely documented.
A former clinic administrator was questioned.
Teresa provided information about the child's living arrangements.
And Dawson's attorney began the process of establishing his parental rights.
The photographs were no longer our only evidence.
One of the records showed a live discharge from the maternity unit.
Another showed a later pediatric appointment under a different surname.
A child had left that hospital alive.
And someone had constructed a story in which he hadn't.
When Detective Hannah Brooks explained this, Dawson covered his face.
"Four years," he whispered.
She nodded.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mercer."
He looked up.
"Did he ever ask about me?"
The detective hesitated.
"That's something you may have the opportunity to learn from him, in time."
