Every Sunday, my stepson Josh returned from his mom’s house quiet and withdrawn. He used to be joyful and talkative, but something had changed. I asked my husband Patrick to speak to him, but Josh gave vague answers and shut down emotionally.

Then one evening, while waiting for Josh to return, our security camera feed popped up on the TV. I overheard Josh’s mom, Linda, handing him cookies and saying, “You know what you have to do.” Josh replied, “I hate lying, Mom. I don’t want to steal from them anymore.”

I was stunned.

Josh confessed she was making him steal — my sanitary products, lotions, even money and jewelry — to help pay her debts. I confronted Linda immediately. She admitted everything, blaming financial hardship. I offered her money on one condition: she’d leave Josh out of it and let him stay with us until she was stable.

Josh hugged me tightly, crying. “I’m so sorry, Liv. I didn’t want to steal.”

“It’s okay,” I told him. “We’ll fix this.”