Our Toddler Scared Off 6 Babysitters – The 7th Left Us Speechless with the Reason Why

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 when six of the babysitters left after only one day with our daughter. Everything we believed to be true about our family and our house was called into question after the seventh sitter found something concealed in our living room vent.

When I saw Evelyn’s face, I gasped. It appeared as though she had seen a ghost. I had just arrived home from work at 9:30 p.m. Gabe was reheating leftovers in the kitchen.

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

I tried to disguise my fear as I nodded. “Gabe, can you come here?”

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

Evelyn intertwined her hands. “I found something while I was cleaning up after putting Penny to bed.”

My stomach fell out. “What is it?”

“A camera is present. in the vent in the main room.”

Thinking I had misheard, I blinked. “A what?”

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

Gabe became white. “Where?”

“Kitchen, hallway, and” Evelyn forced a deep swallow. “One pointing at Penny’s crib.”

It was as though I had taken a hit to the stomach. “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 verified twice.”

I collapsed into the sofa. Who would act in such a way? Why?

Softly, Evelyn spoke. “Look, I understand if you’re concerned for your child. You live there. It’s up to you whether you want to watch the sitter.”

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

Gabe reached over to touch my shoulder. “Evelyn, we were unaware of any cameras.” I promise.”

Evelyn’s cheeks flashed with relief. Oh, I’m very grateful to God. Well, I reasoned, never mind.”

Gabe’s mouth tightened. “I’m calling the police.”

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

We assumed it would be simple. There are many mature teenagers in the neighborhood where we reside, which is rather pleasant. However, it became an absolute nightmare.

Tessa, a senior in high school, was our first sitter and came highly recommended. During the interview, she looked flawless as she discussed her ambitions to pursue child psychology in college and her experience working with children.

However, Tessa gave up on Penny after just one day. Though her answer seemed a bit strange, she claimed she was too preoccupied with her studies.

Mrs. Rodriguez, a sixty-year-old retired teacher, came next. She stayed for three days and then left, saying she had to be “needed at home.” She became agitated and hung up when I asked her for more information.

The third was Zoe, a vivacious early childhood education major in college. Despite her seeming excitement for the position, after her first day she provided us the same evasive explanation.

By now, I was beginning to worry about whether our toddler was scared of something when we were not around. However, playdate and daycare feedback was consistently positive. Penny was an angel, as all the sitters professed, but “other things come up.” It was not adding up.

We quickly rotated through three additional sitters. After just one day, they were all gone. Even after claiming to be “uncomfortable” and leaving the office midway through her shift, she would not give an explanation.

By the time we located Evelyn, I was tearing my hair out. She sent out a distinct vibe right away—she was composed, confident, and really interested in Penny. I was very relieved when she finished the first day without giving up.

And this is it now. cameras hidden. in our house. where our daughter was sleeping.

The cops showed up swiftly. They checked the cameras and dusted for prints.

“These are older models,” one of the officers declared. “Probably installed years ago.”

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

An eyebrow was raised by the officer. “Who owned the house before you?”

“It was a gift for the wedding,” Gabe clarified. “From my father.”

A shiver went through my body. Victor wouldn’t do that, surely?

Days passed while the investigation continued. We felt nervous and jittery. I couldn’t stop picturing eyes following us around. Gabe searched the premises for more cameras for hours without finding any.

At last, the call came through.

“Ma’am?” Over the phone, the detective’s voice cracked. “We tracked down who bought the cameras. A Victor H—purchased them.”

My heart felt icy. Gabe’s father, Victor.

After hanging up, I turned to face Gabe, who was staring at me with big eyes. “We must speak with your father. Right now.”

It was an anxious trip to Victor’s residence. Gabe’s knuckles went white from holding onto the driving wheel so tightly.

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

I remained silent. There was no explanation that I could conceive of to make this acceptable.

When Victor noticed our faces, his smile vanished from his face as he answered the door. “Gabe! Nora! What’s not right?”

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

Victor’s smile faded to nothing. He looked suddenly old and worn, and he paled. Silently, he murmured, “Come inside.” “We should talk.”

We trailed him into the living room, the same space where we’d revealed Penny’s pregnancy and opened wedding presents. It felt soiled now.

Victor curled up in his favored recliner. He said, “I installed the cameras.” “Before you moved in.”

Gabe lost control. “Why the hell would you do that?”

Victor raised his palms. “I simply wanted to confirm that you were maintaining the house.” You know, it was a significant gift.

I was hearing things that I couldn’t believe. “You’ve been watching us, then? for a duration of two years?”

Victor gave a headshake. “No, not at all. It was abandoned after a few months. I simply forgot to remove them.”

“Forgot?” There was irony in every word Gabe said. “You forgot about cameras in your son’s house?”

I was feeling ill. Victor, there was one pointing at Penny’s cot. Our female child.”

Victor was even decent enough to display shame. “I had no malicious intent. I was merely exercising caution.”

Gabe jerked to his feet. “Defending? Dad, this is crazy. It completely violates our right to privacy.”

I nodded while stifling my emotions. “We had faith in you, Victor. How are you able to accomplish this?”

Victor sagged down on his seat. “I apologize. I was careless and ignorant of the outcome.”

Gabe took hold of my hand. “We’re heading out. Avoid calling us. When or if we’re ready to speak, we’ll let you know.”

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.

Gabe fell asleep on the couch next to me after finishing. He said in a hollow voice, “What now?”

I gave a headshake. “I’m not sure. I’m just unsure.”

We just sat there, silently gazing at our coffee table’s heap of broken cameras. We felt violated in our secure sanctuary, our home. And it had been done by the person we’d trusted the most.

Anger surfaced when the shock wore off. Victor is so cruel to us. To Penny? And now what were we meant to do?

I pondered about all the nannies who had resigned. Had they also discovered the cameras? Were they too afraid or awkward to talk to us? I felt even more violated by the idea.

“It’s time to give Evelyn a call,” I blurted out. Tell her what took place. Perhaps give her a promotion as well, because she was the only one bold enough to inform us.”

With a ghost of a smile, Gabe nodded. Indeed, we ought to. She is a decent child.”

I took out my phone and sent Evelyn a text. I looked at Gabe as it rang, and I could see the treachery and hurt in his eyes, which must have matched mine. Figuring out how to get past this was a long road ahead of us. However, we did have each other.

That would have to do for the time being.