After a long sleepless night, Brian decided he was going to the police. He walked into one of the downtown New Orleans station houses and talked to the desk sergeant about his suspicions.
« There’s something definitely wrong there. That baby never moves, and the woman never touches it! » Brian explained. « And the baby looks nothing like her at all. I just have a feeling something is wrong. »
The sergeant called a detective, Jean Riete, who listened carefully to Brian’s story. To his surprise, the detective took it very seriously indeed. « These people are professional beggars. On their own, an adult beggar makes about $30 a day, with a child, they go up to $300…
« But…They exploit their own children? » asked Brian.
« Sometimes, but often the baby is ‘rented’ out by its parents or even stolen. » explained Detective Riete. « So let’s go take a look at this woman and her baby tomorrow morning, OK? »
