Here on Stolen Lives, we discuss brutal and heartbreaking crimes against children.

Themes may include child murder, torture, and sexual domestic and child abuse.

I do try to my best to remain respectful for the babies in these stories

and leave out unnecessary details that honestly, none of us need to know to understand the

frustration of why and how this ever happened.

However, if you find any of these themes triggering this podcast may not be for you.

Listener discretion is advised.

This week's story is a listener suggestion. Thank you to Liz for bringing Zoe's story to my attention.

I really don't know what to say about this week's story. Of late, there seems to be a formula,

parent and step-parent, particular quote-unquote punishments of running stairs, cold showers,

standing in the corner with hands overhead, withholding food.

I swear these monsters must have a group where they share ideas because they are all the same.

But then I get a suggestion that is left field, not what we normally cover here on the podcast.

And this isn't to say that every single story here doesn't take a part of me, it does.

But someone like a jolt of heartache because it wasn't expected, maybe.

And we have a few coming up like this because I do want to share different stories for the awareness.

And this is one of those stories.

Zoe always had an uphill battle, but she was thriving despite her environment.

She was referred to as the neighbourhood's

daughter, and it was truly a village raising this little girl. But it would be an outside

predator that would infiltrate her trust and steal Zoe's life. Also, just a little housekeeping.

I'm going to take next week off. I haven't missed a week this year and honestly, these last few weeks

...