I have a neighbor who's 3 year old has been caught doing things from hanging off their balcony on the second story of our 4plex apartment to throwing knives in the yard to running in the halls with no adult supervision for up to 45 minutes until one of us in the building gets sick of it and tell him to go back inside. His mom has openly told me and our neighbors that she takes medicine that makes her too tired to get out of bed and control him. Every time we confront her about her child she has some excuse from a "sleeping disorder" to telling us her child is too stubborn to control. It truly concerns me that she would tell us that she is physically unable to get out of bed. She even told me she left her son upstairs in their apartment in the shower by himself while she was downstairs on her cell phone! Our neighbors had to go up there one nite at 4 am to tell them to hush and the guy told them she was drunk and his buddy was high. I don't want to start something unless I am sure.
2006-10-09 07:25:21 · 32 answers · asked by d4cav_dragoons_wife84 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I know I probably should have called before now, but I had hoped this would stop since she has been confronted by several of us on many occasions and by our military post housing director and the police. I don't find joy in her possibly loosing her child if it comes to that, but I am afraid for him and she seems to have a drug dependency that keeps her from functioning. Her husband is overseas and she has had many different guys in and out since he left a week ago. It's just so messed up.
2006-10-09 07:28:06 · update #1
from what you say, your neighbor is definitely neglecting her son. the fact that numerous times you and other people have had to correct the situation or say something to her, lets me know that she is not listening to anything that anyone says nor is she attempting to change. its not about getting her in trouble, its about making sure that that little boy does not fall off of a balcony, does not injure himself while he is alone in the hall, that no one kidnaps him... she sounds unfit and her lame excuse of being tired, further evidences the point that she is not prepared to raise her son... yes please call child services for that little boy's sake.
2006-10-09 07:31:19 · answer #1 · answered by Lin B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would report it, however, they will not likey do anything usless they actually see the child in danger. I suggest this: when the child is in a harmful situation and the mother is not around call the police immediately. The police can call a socail worker immediately if the child is in danger. Further you may want to get your neighbors together as a group and go about it together. For example, all of you agree that the next time one of you sees him playing with a knife will work together. One neighbor watch him to make sure he doesn't get hurt and another call 911. Document little things you notice that are not life threatening, but yet negligant. And don't be afraid to try to get this child help; his mother clearly doesn' care so if someone doesn't help him he could get killed.
2006-10-09 07:40:20 · answer #2 · answered by bamagrits84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you know that if you can actually be held responsible if you don't do something? Knowing and not telling is a crime. I would call social services and let them make the decisions. Things may not turn out for the family as they want it to, but at least you know that you made a move and this little boy will hopefully benefit from it. Maybe if anything, it'll knock the parents into reality and take care of their little boy. If they can't then there is somebody in this world that can.
2006-10-09 07:30:25 · answer #3 · answered by kelliemag 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would call immediately. They will questions the neighbors if need be. They aren't gonna give the lady any information on who called. I know first hand the police will not do anything. You have to call CPS. They will physically go into the ladies house and check out the situation. You may be saving that child's life. Do it now.
2006-10-09 07:30:53 · answer #4 · answered by hehmommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think so, anything or anytime you feel like a child's life could in any way , shape, or form be in danger call someone. I work with child services actually. so i know this. this is considered child neglect. If the mother has a sleeping disorder, she needs to call someone that will take care of the child/children while she sleeps. A childs life is very important. You should call.
2006-10-09 07:30:15 · answer #5 · answered by yahoocraze 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would call someone, this is a danger to the child, and to the neighbors (knives?!?!?!?). That woman does not deserve a child and is grossly neglecting him. If you call, you will not get in trouble for false reporting (good faith reporting and all). At the very least it will be a wakeup call for mom and could even result in the child being removed until the mom gets control of herself. Poor baby!
2006-10-09 07:47:35 · answer #6 · answered by Jamie J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I would definitely call child services. It's not healthy for a toddler (3 years) to be running around like this. Children need guidance and safety and if the parents are not able to handle / deal with / cope with this, then some type of intervention should become your first priority.
2006-10-09 07:39:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! That child needs the help of a responsible adult. Please contact the authorities now. If something were to happen to that child and you did nothing to intervene, how would you feel?
She and her 'friends' are endangering not only the child, but you and everyone else who lives in your 4plex. You can call the authorities and speak to them anonomously and they are commited by law to investigate all reports. Don't think of this as 'starting something' think of it as putting an end to a potentially fatal situation.
2006-10-09 07:34:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what you've mentioned here I would say you are only doing what you find necessary for the safety of the child. If I was in your position I would ask myself one simple question, "Could I live with myself if something happened to this child and I could have done something to prevent it?" There you will have your answer.
I hope you make the right choice. Obviously there is a danger present here and one day the danger could be devastating.
2006-10-09 07:29:49 · answer #9 · answered by razzyrascal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You had better do something immediately This little boy is going to get hurt or hurt someone else. Today its knives tomorrow it's going to be guns. Seems to me his mother has a lot of excuses but what she needs is someone to take that little boy until she can straighten up & take the responsibility of raising him. It's not the little one's fault he has no supervision. It takes a lot to get children taken from parents now a days but you've got enough evidence to help that poor little boy to maybe have a chance in this world.
2006-10-09 07:48:45 · answer #10 · answered by country girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋