...That said, Shiiko was always intended to be nothing more than a kid - there was a researcher at the school who was grieving her lost child, and Professor Shortie thought she could help by creating a homunculus child.

Obviously, that's no way to get over loss. The researcher realized that, and now the Professor pretty much raises her like her own kid. Or maybe a little sister?

[Given said professor is... also a kid.]

She's in good hands.