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Child abuse? Neglect?
Hello! I just move to a neighborhood and there are 3 little girls that constantly knock on my door and ask for food, band aids for boo boos, and to use the bathroom. We caught the smallest one in our car in the driveway trying to steal some candy and change out of it. She is about 5. My son gave one of them a bowl of applesauce and all 3 took turns taking bites. they did the same with some chocolate milk minutes later. They are outside and dirty from 8 am to 9pm on weekends and after school til dark. I asked the one girl why she couldnt go potty at her house and she said mommy wont let us in. After the little on stole from us I dont want to let her in though. She has been caught going in our garage and walks in our home without permission constantly. Please give me advice. This reminds me of my alcoholic mother when I was young. They are a family of 7 in a tiny 2br home. I have 3 of my own and cant care for them. What do I do?? thanks guys!
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call socail services i know its getting to seem like they wont do any thing. but you could save the little girls lives. and if that doesnt work next time you catch them stealing call the police they will get social services involved and more likely to help them good luck
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I am a great deal older than most of the advisers on this site, so my advice will be somewhat different from what you have received and may continue to receive from others.
Child abuse and child neglect is a criminal matter, so you can start by filing a complaint with your local police or sheriff department. This will have an immediate effect as law enforcement must investigate any allegation of child abuse or neglect immediately.
They can enter the home and see if it is a safe environment for the children, if there is sufficient food and if the parent or parents are sober and capable of caring for the children. If in their estimation they believe it is not safe for the children to be in that home they can file for an emergency removal and place the children with protective services. If warranted they can also file any charges they deem appropriate against the parent or parents.
Remember what is at stake here: It is in the best interest of the children to seek immediate intervention. Young children need supervision, adult parental supervision. You say they children are left hungry, dirty and unsupervised for upwards of 12 hours a day. To me that is the definition of child neglect and abuse. Please intervene on their behalf and call your local law enforcement agency today.
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you have to report this,one day something might happen and you may regret never telling anyone. If you do report this you are helping these children get something better out of life and its sad to think children are treated this way at such a young age, i cant belive a 5 year old stealing she must have learned it from somewhere right?
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Call CPS. Period.
Three children are under neglect and abuse. I'm not a huge fan of Child Protective Services, but they exist for a reason and that reason is to stop the kind of shit that's taking place on your block. Be open and honest with whomever you talk to. Tell them what you've seen and experienced.
It's hard to be the one to take decisive action for people you've never met before. Do it anyway, you very well may save a life or three.
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first of all, CALL THE POLICE. if those children are being forced to stay outside and aren't getting enough food, this is neglegence as a parent and there could be something terribly wrong at the house. call the police and have them send someone over to check out the house.
second, always lock your car and house doors and windows so they can't steal, but if they need something, by all means, help them out. if they need to use the restroom, keep a close eye on them while they're in your house, and try to give them some food every now and again.
if you don't feel that calling the cops is good judgment, or that you could be wrong about your theory on why those kids are the way they are, go talk to their mother. if she seems like a bad mother on first impression and won't listen to you, THEN call the cops. they'll send a social worker over there and try to fix the problem or put the kids in a foster home. this will probably traumatize them, yes, but its better than being in a corrupt household.
good luck.
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