In a media briefing immediately after the two-day custody hearing April 18, CPS spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner used Sarah more as a symbol than as a person.

"I do believe that Sarah exists," she said. "There were many Sarahs. Just because perhaps someone else placed that phone call doesn't change our involvement. "What we feel we found was systematic abuse of children."

Meanwhile, Judge Walther pleaded for patience as all sides work through the extraordinary case. She said she has a stack of documents filed by attorneys appointed to represent some of the children that stands 5five feet high.

After a draining, exhausting three weeks, many participants in the historic process are on edge, said local attorney Tom Goff, who represents a 3-month-old child.

"It's taken an emotional toll on everybody," he said. "I saw attorneys out at the coliseum crying yesterday."

The judge acknowledged the strain.

"I would like for this case to take on the normal progressions these cases take," Walther said. "It's not a perfect system, but I don't think that we have a perfect system for this sort of thing. I don't think we could have planned any better."