come at school to try to get me. because the school would legally have to let them let me go with them. like, if my mom showed up. >> reporter: max was scared. had no idea what was going on with his mom. and he wanted to stay with his grandparents. >> i've heard all of these horror stories about people having these personality changes and-- going off the deep end. and i thought, "i've got to do something about max. i've got to g-- keep him safe." >> reporter: nancy applied for temporary guardianship of max. that must be so weird? >> [ light laughter ] >> reporter: fraught. >> yes and just wondering, "what am i doing to my daughter if-- if we were doing this." the lawyer said, "now, this is just temporary." "now, if she comes back, you know, you can always undo this." i said "okay." >> reporter: meanwhile, surely the sheriff could find her daughter, get some help. she showed them cari's texts about the furniture.