Child abuse? Child endangerment?

Question

Earlier while looking out the window I saw my neighbor do something that really shocked me. He was outside with his infant son in the yard and his son was crawling around in the grass. Then his dad got up, grabbed his baby's hand, and walked around to the backyard. I don't really know how to desrcribe it but it looked painful. Like the dad was standing up and holding the baby's hand and the baby was like dangling while his dad walked around to the backyard. The first thing that came to my mind was--that baby's arm is going to come out of it's socket! Like it would be like reaching up and grabbing on something and dangling there. It was really weird. Is that child abuse or child endangerment? I'm sorry, I've just never seen someone walk around with their child like that. Please let me know if I should talk to my neighbor or something because I would feel terrible if that baby's arm really did come out of it's socket or something :(

Answer 1

I would talk to your neighbor about it. Maybe since the baby is just an infant and their only child the father may not know that something like that could harm his baby. If he doesn't know that maybe you could tell him if he does then remind him that if people see him doing that he could get reported.

Answer 2

I doubt if you reported it to the authorities, that they would even go over there to check things out. I think it is cruel in any means anyway, but some states and CPS services can ignore years of abuse or take a child away for heresay. It is a F'ED up system and I think that we should have a license to take care of another human being before being able to have one. I am a single parent of 2 young girls and I have made my mistakes along the way and I was scared as hell the first time I took my babies home. But I would through a brick at that guy just for being an azzhole to his baby!!!! Keep your eye on him and you may be the only witness to an escalatingviolent life to this innocent baby. Document this type of behavior!!!

Answer 3

I have seen this plenty of times in the supermarket with screaming toddlers... i'm not sure however if the baby you described can walk... the kids i've seen it happen to are all walkers. Not that that makes it any better.

Problem:
Kids elbows and arms aren't fully developed so there is a *huge* risk of dislocation. We were told at our local Child and Youth Health to never pull on a child's lower arm as it can cause "Pulled Elbow" where the elbow dislocates. If this happens then the child is really prone to dislocations until they are 5 or so.

Maybe this info could be a better way of addressing the issue with your neighbour. Like "I saw you in the yard the other day with ... He looked like he was having fun exploring. Just be careful with his arms though as babies are really susceptible to dislocated elbows."

Answer 4

You should not pick up a child that way it could really hurt the child You could try to talk to the neighbor about it but more than likely it is not going to do anything but make him mad . Have you seen anything else that bother you ? YOu may want to turn him in but if that is the only thing he has done and if you do talk to him maybe he wont do it again I wish I could help but that is all I have to offer I hope you get it figured out

Answer 5

If you feel comfortable talking to the neighbor, I beg you to please do that. I don't know if that's considered "child abuse" in some manuel somewhere, but it's child abuse as far as I'm concerned. Of course that would be painful for a child to endure! If you feel you can't talk to the neighbor, CALL THE POLICE! At least they can tell you what's what. Thank you for being concerned and doing something, rather than sitting back and doing nothing.

Answer 6

I think you should talk to the neighbor. Maybe since it's a man he doesn't know how to properly care for a baby. But if he is dragging it around the yard like that for everybody to see, just imagine what he does to it when nobody is looking. If he doesn't want to listen, try talking to the baby's mom.

Answer 7

What you do depends on how close you are to these neighbors. If you are quite friendly, tell the Dad what you saw and explain to him how dangerous it is. Perhaps he didn't know any better. However, if you explain it nicely and there is a repeat performance, then you need to anonymously report him. Is there a wife you could talk to? Maybe she would be able to explain it to her husband. This is a tough situation. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter how old the baby is, no one should carry a baby like that. That is just pure ignorance. I would talk to the neighbor or better yet talk to the baby's mom. If i found out my boyfriend was carrying my baby like that he would have a problem.

Answer 9

What is wrong with your parents? Are they in cahoots with this pervert? Yes get the authorities involved! Go and get your brother ASAP and bring him to CPS or the police. Your brother or some other child is going to be molested by this person if they already haven't. Get a lawyer so you or your brother can get temporary custody. (if you are old enough). You both need to be his protector since your parents will not.

Answer 10

Some people are so stupid. Would it really be that diffult to bend over and pick him up properly? No. Would it be anymore difficult to carry him properly? Nope! But if that child does get hurt, they will be the first ones crying that they don't know how it happened. I wouldn't talk to them, I'd call social services on them.