6 Out of 7 Babysitters Quit after First Day with Our Toddler — We Gasped When the 7th Revealed Why

We were at our wits’ end after six babysitters left after just one day with our daughter. We had to reevaluate everything we believed to be true about our family and our house after the seventh sitter found something concealed in our living room vent.

When I saw Evelyn’s face, I gasped. She appeared to have seen a ghost. I had just arrived home from work at 9:30 p.m. Gabe was warming up leftovers in the kitchen.

“Mrs. Nora, can I talk to you and your husband?” Evelyn trembled in her voice.

I tried to conceal my worry by nodding. “Gabe, can you come here?”

Gabe showed up, using a dish towel to wipe his hands. “What’s up?”

Evelyn’s hands were twisted together. “I found something while I was cleaning up after putting Penny to bed.”

I felt sick to my stomach. “What is it?”

“A camera is present. in the vent in the living room.

I blinked, certain that I had misheard. “A what?”

“A camera,” said Evelyn again. It’s not the only one, either. I discovered three more.

Gabe’s face turned white. “Where?”

Evelyn swallowed hard, “Kitchen, hallway, and”… “One pointing at Penny’s crib.”

It seemed as though someone had punched me in the gut. “That isn’t feasible. No cameras were ever installed by us.

Gabe gave a forceful nod. “There must be some mistake.”

Evelyn gave a headshake. “I’m positive. I checked again.

I collapsed on the sofa. Who would act in this way? Why?

Evelyn’s voice was quiet. “Look, I understand that you may be concerned about your child. You call it home. You are free to monitor the sitter if you so choose.

“No!” I almost yelled. “We’d never do that without telling you.”

My shoulder was touched by Gabe’s hand. “Evelyn, we were unaware of any cameras. I promise.

Evelyn’s face lit up with relief. “Oh, I’m very grateful. Well, never mind, I thought.

Gabe tightened his jaw. “I’m calling the police.”

I reflected on how we had arrived here while he dialed. It all began two months ago when we made the decision to get Penny a regular babysitter.

We assumed it would be simple. There are many responsible teenagers in the neighborhood where we live. However, it became a complete nightmare.

Tessa, a senior in high school with excellent references, was our first sitter. As she discussed her experience working with children and her intentions to pursue child psychology in college, she appeared ideal.

However, Tessa quit after only one day with Penny. Although she claimed to be too preoccupied with school, there was something strange about her justification.

Mrs. Rodriguez, a 60-year-old retired teacher, came next. Before leaving after three days, she said she was “needed at home.” She became agitated and hung up when I asked for more information.

Zoe, a vivacious college student with an early childhood education major, was the third. Despite her apparent enthusiasm for the position, she provided us the same evasive justification following her first day.

By now, I was beginning to question whether our kid was a terror when we weren’t around. However, feedback from playdates and daycare was consistently good. Despite their professed belief that Penny was an angel, the sitters had “other things come up.” The sum didn’t add up.

In quick succession, we cycled through three more sitters. After one day, they all gave up. Halfway through her shift, one even fled, claiming she was “uncomfortable” but not providing an explanation.

By the time we located Evelyn, I was inconsolable. From the beginning, she exuded confidence, composure, and real interest in Penny. I nearly burst into tears of relief when she survived the first day without giving up.

And now this. cams that are hidden. in our house. The place where our daughter slept.

The police showed up in a flash. They looked at the cameras and dusted for prints.

“These are old models,” stated one of the officers. “Probably installed years ago.”

I scowled. “But we’ve only lived here for two years.”

The officer’s eyebrow went up. “Who owned the house before you?”

“It was a wedding gift,” says Gabe. “From my father.”

A shiver went through my body. Victor wouldn’t, surely, would he?

Days passed while the investigation continued. We were jittery and suspicious. I couldn’t stop seeing eyes on us everywhere. After searching the house for hours, Gabe was unable to locate any more cameras.

We finally received the call.

“Ma’am?” Over the phone, the detective’s voice cracked. “The camera transactions have been tracked down. The person who purchased them was Victor H—”

My blood froze. Gabe’s father, Victor.

After hanging up, I looked at Gabe, who was staring at me with wide eyes. “We must speak with your father. “Now.”

It was an anxious trip to Victor’s residence. Gabe’s knuckles became white as he clamped down on the steering wheel.

“He wouldn’t,” whispered Gabe. “There has to be an explanation.”

I didn’t answer. I was unable to come up with a rationale that would justify this.

Victor smiled when he answered the door, but it soon vanished when he saw our faces. “Gabe! Nora! “What’s wrong?”

Gabe went right to the point. “Dad, did you install cameras in our house?”

Victor’s grin disappeared entirely. He looked suddenly old and exhausted, and he paled. Silently, “Come inside,” he said. “We should talk.”

We trailed him into the living room, where we had revealed my pregnancy to Penny and unwrapped our wedding presents. It felt soiled now.

Victor settled down in his favorite recliner. “I did install the cameras,” he acknowledged. “Before you moved in.”

Gabe blew up. “Why the hell would you do that?”

Victor raised his hands. “I just wanted to check in to see how you were doing with the house. You know, it was a big present.

What I was hearing was unbelievable. “You’ve been watching us, then? For two years?”

Victor gave a headshake. “No, no. A few months later, I stopped watching. I simply neglected to remove them.

“Forgot?” Sarcasm was evident in Gabe’s voice. “You forgot about cameras in your son’s house?”

I was ill. Victor, there was one aimed toward Penny’s crib. Our daughter.

Victor had the grace to appear embarrassed. “I had no malicious intent. I was merely exercising caution.

Gabe sprang to his feet suddenly. “Protection? Dad, this is crazy. It is an outright invasion of our privacy.

I fought back tears as I nodded. “We had faith in you, Victor. How could you accomplish this?

Victor sagged down on his seat. “I apologize. I didn’t consider or anticipate how it would appear.

Gabe took hold of my hand. “We’re heading out. Avoid calling us. We’ll notify you if and when we’re prepared to speak.

There was silence on the way home. Gabe began tearing out every camera he could locate as soon as we entered. I was numb as I watched him.

After finishing, Gabe fell onto the couch beside me. His voice was empty as he inquired, “What now?”

I gave a headshake. “I’m not sure. I simply don’t know.”

Silently, we sat there gazing at the stack of broken cameras on our coffee table. It seemed like our house, our sanctuary, had been assaulted. And it had been done by the guy we had trusted the most.

Anger took over as the shock subsided. Victor, how dare you treat us like this? To Penny? What were we to do at this point?

I considered all the babysitters who had resigned. Had they also discovered the cameras? Were they too frightened or uneasy to inform us? I felt even more violated by the thought.

“We should call Evelyn,” I replied abruptly. “Tell her what took place. Additionally, since she was the only one with the courage to inform us, perhaps give her a raise.

With a ghost of a smile, Gabe nodded. “Yes, we ought to. She is a good child.

After taking out my phone, I called Evelyn. I glanced at Gabe as it rang, and I could see the treachery and hurt in his eyes, which must have reflected mine. We still had a long way to go in determining how to proceed after this. However, we had each other at least.

That would have to do for the time being.