Lawyer Susan Hays spent an enormous amount of time trying to keep her 2-year-old client connected to the child’s mother. In May, Hays racked up 8,867 minutes on her cell phone. That was largely because biological parents were only allowed to talk to foster parents during scheduled periods.

“I spent two weeks trying to translate how to put my client to sleep at night,” Hays said. “And may I add how woefully unqualified I am to accurately relay messages about caring for a 2-year-old, as a childless, career-woman lawyer?”

Photo by AP Images of one of the girls temporarily housed at Fort Concho.