Child Abuse?

Question

My niece and nephew say their mother emotionally abuses them. She also keeps them in their house and has them do chores from 7 a.m till bed which is priority over school work during school. She moves them and hides them from us (Dad's amily). Their Dad is no longer a part of their lives' so I am lost on what I can do to help them. Next school year they begin homeschooling; my niece starts high school next year. They are both against it but fear saying that to their Mom in fear of punishment. They both want to live with me or their grandmother but we are at loss of what we can do according to California law. They also say their Mother does drugs but I have no physical proof of anything. Help please
My niece is cutting on herself and is depressed, my nephew has ADHD which she refuses to treat
They are 12 and 14

Answer 1

If U really want 2 help them take them 2 a trained Social Worker & ask their opinion.
It sounds like they're oppressed & abused.
Home Schooling is an extension of that control that Mum has, U need 2 B sure of what U're doing & save them from what could potentially damage them.
Get them out of there & take them somewhere safe & let the adults argue it out.

Answer 2

I think you need to check California law, as far as I last knew, a child who was 14 years old could determine in a court of law who they want to live with as far as mom and dad goes.. But I don't know what it says about and aunt or an uncle..
It does sound like something wrong is going on there and it is probably in someones best interest to look into it.. but don't just go by speculation.. You can also report the abuse. If a child is telilng you that he/she is being abused mentally or physically, there are many place you can report it too.
it clearly seems like they have a good relationship with you, it may be the only good one they have in their life, so just watch your step, the last thing you want now is some kind of restraining order against you, then they really won't stand a chance at having someone normal in their lives that they can talk to..I wish you and them all the best.

Answer 3

Oh how sad. I am so sorry for you.

If you can afford it, go to a lawyer (I'm sure this will be expensive). If not, try talking to your niece and nephew. If they are willing to talk to authorities and not back down they can get help through children's services. Since you and their grandmother are willing to have them live with you, there is a great chance this could happen.

I know a lot of people will disagree but home schooling is so bad for that reason. Many people do it so that there are no school authorities to suspect abuse. When you talk to children's services make sure you let them know about the home schooling.

God bless you for trying to help them. I know I would be going crazy if it were my nieces or nephews.

Answer 4

Homeschooling and doing chores is not child abuse.

However, you can report her to Family Services for suspected child neglect and endargement because of her addiction. They will pay her an unnannouced visit to check on the kids and assess the situation.

here is the website with the telephone numbers to report Child Abuse in California:

http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/res/pdf/EmergencyR_315.pdf

Also, if the kids need a counselor and don't know where to turn, here is a number that can help:

Boys Town National Hotline: [phone]

Also, if the kids are over 12, they can request a family judge to grant their custody to their grandparents.

Good luck

Answer 5

Especially with the cutting, you need to call the Division of Families (or whatever it's called there) and report them. They will investigate the mother and the household. IF there is a problem that they find they usually place children with other family members while helping the parent gets help. Also, find a good family lawyer, and ask questions. You may have some legal rights, especially your mom in granparents rights. See what you can do. :)

Answer 6

Call social services. Sometimes kids say things that aren't true because they are mad at the parent or want attention, which could be the case, however you should call social services or CPS and have them do the investigation. If the mother is proven to be unfit, the kids are old enough, the judge SHOULD allow them to choose who they go to live with, or they will have to live with the dad. There really isn't anything else you can do.

Answer 7

I need to add to my answer. I overlooked the cutting issue. That is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Your niece may end up in a facility for a short period to receive counseling and help to learn other ways of dealing with her inner depression and pain. This may make you feel guilty; however, if she cuts a vein that could kill her, your guilt for not getting her the help she needs will be far greater. It is bad enough to have emotional scars, but the physical scars are reminders and evidence of her abuse that she will see in the mirror for the rest of her life. I would call the police immediately and request that they remove the children immediately. Don't sit back any longer and get going with the necessary paperwork. You will need to be available to care for them 24/7. They need it now.

Answer 8

All of this information should go to your state's Department of Child and Family Services. You can make an anonymous complaint or statement, but you should be telling the DCF everything that you have typed in this question. There are people working that want to help children in need, but they can only do that if they know about the problem. If nothing is going on in the house, then no one will get in trouble.

Answer 9

God help you and bless you for being concerned about these children. I would do whatever it takes to get these kids some help and their Mother too, but first the children. They have nowhere to turn but you and I would contact every organization I could find to start with then they could point you in the right direction. These children are old enough to tell the right people what is going on and it needs to be investigated.

Answer 10

Only them to report to police and telling them what their mothers doing and they both are the key to this and knwoing what going on and what she is doing is wrong. If they don't step up on the plate and say something. If not then no one can help.. They are older enough to say soemthig and support them and have them talk to someone who can help and understand what the plm is.

Your niece is cutting herself becaue she don't want to live anymroe and has nothing to live for and other newphew has adhd becasue of those plm come from a mother. No way for me make kids to clean house work from 7 am to bed time???? that not normal for kids to be like that. No wya for me to do that....

So have your niece and nephew to tell the police and someone asap... becasue it need to be heard. ... don't wait and talk to them to see if they can report and if they agree then support them all the way. Tell them it not their fault it the mother fault.. it going to take forever to heal this plm....