I Thought She Was Just a Shy Teen — Then the Bathroom Footage Revealed the Dark Truth

For weeks, I told myself my daughter’s strange habit was harmless—she simply wanted privacy. Every night she carried her dinner into the bathroom, locking the door, insisting she was “fine.” At first, I brushed it off as teenage privacy. But my gut said otherwise. One evening, desperate for answers, I set up a small camera in the hallway. The next day, I watched the footage, heart pounding…

When you raise a child, you think you know their every habit—their laugh, their tears, the way they fidget when nervous. That’s why my daughter’s new routine gnawed at me. Every evening, as soon as dinner was on the table, she would excuse herself, plate in hand, and lock herself in the bathroom.

At first, I brushed it off as teenage privacy. Thirteen is an awkward age, and maybe she just didn’t want anyone watching her eat. But then I noticed how little food seemed to disappear from her plate. Her cheeks grew hollow, her jeans hung loose, and she avoided mirrors as if they were enemies.

Still, I didn’t want to assume the worst. I told myself kids go through phases. I wanted to believe that.