Brenda rushed forward in a desperate panic to snatch the mobile phone out of Mark's hands.
Mark stepped aside easily, allowing her to stumble past him onto the hard foyer floor.
Mark: Stay away from me, Brenda. The police dispatcher is already recording this entire conversation.
Brenda: You can't call the police on your own legal wife! This is a domestic dispute!
Mark: You locked minors in a storage room without food, water, or adequate medical care.
Mark: That is child endangerment and felony embezzlement, Brenda. You are going to prison today.
Within ten minutes, red and blue emergency lights flashed through the living room window blinds.
Two police cruisers and an ambulance pulled up onto the damp suburban stone driveway outside.
Paramedics rushed into the house carrying first aid medical equipment bags to inspect young Emily.
They carefully checked her sprained ankle and wrapped her leg in a proper supportive brace.
They also provided warm formula for baby Toby, who drank eagerly in Mark's protective arms.
Two stern police officers approached Brenda as she stood near the front doorway weeping loudly.
Officer Smith: Ma'am, you are under arrest for felony child endangerment and grand larceny theft.
Brenda: This is a massive misunderstanding! My husband is lying to you officers to get revenge!
Officer Smith: We have seen the basement room conditions and your daughter's recorded statement ma'am.
The officer clicked steel handcuffs around Brenda's wrists while she shouted curses at Mark's face.
Mark stood beside his children on the porch as the police escorted Brenda into the cruiser.
Neighbors stepped out onto their front lawn grass to watch the dramatic arrest unfold quietly.
Brenda cried out for help, but nobody on the quiet street moved to defend her actions.
She was shoved into the back of the police car, and the doors slammed tightly shut.
Mark took a deep breath of cold night air, feeling an immense weight lift off him.