My neighbor will not give keys to the house to any of his kids. So they often come over to my house when it's

Question

cold out. Which is ok, but they're making a habit out of it. I do not have kids. So I don't know if this is right or wrong. If it was me, I'd give my kids keys. The teenage girls come over and I let them read or study in the LR.
However, I work at home and it's an interruption to me schedule, and I'm also worried about minors being in my house when their parents aren't around.
This is a new neighbor. I hate to refuse a person a warm house when they're cold, but I can't understand for the life of me why none of the kids have keys. Not even the boys who are under 10 - they're too shy to come here and they just sit on the back porch of their house.
Is there any law that I should know of that they are breaking? I plan on telling them it has to end- but a little legality may help pry them. I'm in Ohio.

ps I let them in when I can- if I'm too busy, I have ignored them. But they're good kids and cause no trouble when here - they just read and are very quiet.

OH yes, I should add- they call their parents from my phone immediately and the parents come home asap to get them, so their parents do know where they are. I'm a bit too softhearted to let a kid sit in the cold. And it's raining today.

Answer 1

It is good you are concerned about the children, BUT since your neighbor never asked you if you might watch for his kids if ever they got home before the parents did then he is not thinking like a good parent.
What kind of parent would expect his kids to stay outside in bad weather till he can get home from work?
It is possible that the kids are being punished for something but this is the wrong way to do it.

Suggestion:
I am certain you don't want to make an enemy of the neighbors so it would be unwise to verbally assault him. Be strategic. Tell him there will be times when you aren't going to be home and he really should think about where the kids will go after school. That puts him on alert that you are aware of the situation so he knows someone knows of his "closed door" policy. Winter is coming and I know it can get cold in Ohio. Those kids might get sent home early some day when you are not home and then what? If it is zero degrees outside, one or more of them will get sick or freeze.

Surely there are other neighbors who have also noticed the kids being outside. Is he so paranoid he fears the kids will wreck his house? This smacks of a parent who is terribly harsh with his kids and may even abuse them.


The more I think of it the more I begin to realize an anonymous phone call to the police about kids loitering near a house would be a good idea. That way the cops will be aware there are parents who lock their own kids outside in bad weather. This feels more and more wrong with every letter I type.


Best of luck, I'm not certain I could speak kindly to this man.

Answer 2

I think it is great that you are unselfishly helping out these kids!

BUT - you should definitely be worried about the "propriety" of having teens/kids in your house without parent permission or knowledge. Not because you are a bad guy or something - there are just so many variables here that you MUST go talk to these kids' father.

I think approaching him in a "neighborly" fashion and say, "hey, I don't mind but I think you should know... I work out of my home so sometimes it's not convenient at times..."

Hopefully, the Dad will take the hint and realize that if other people are becoming involved he needs to let those kids in when it is cold. But, I would try to keep it friendly as possible so your own sake as well as everyone else's. That way, the kids will know too, that you are someone they can depend on, just not for EVERY day.

You may want to call a family lawyer and get some basic info too - you should be able to get a no-charge consultation advice.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds like the neighbors are taking advantage of free babysitting service, to me. This is just an incident waiting to happen - one of the teenage girls making accusations of things that didn't happen, etc., all because of your kindness.

I would first call a meeting with the neighbors to see if this could be resolved in a friendly fashion. Perhaps they don't understand how much of an inconvenience this is or that you're working out of your home. Perhaps they simply think that you're homebound and enjoy the company. Although they shouldn't take such things for granted.

If no amicable agreement can be reached, call local law enforcement to report the situation, and be prepared to call the next time those poor children are knocking on your door. Harsh, yes, but perhaps it will mean that these children will be taken from the inconsiderate parents they seem to have been born to and find someone who has a little bit of compassion and caring.

Answer 4

There is no reason why you should be forced to babysit your neighbor's kids. Why not ask them what they expect their children to do when they get home, maybe phrase it as, you don't want to interfere with their planned schedules, so what are they supposed to be doing, going over to a friend's house, or studying on the back porch or what? If they say that their kids are supposed to be going over to you, let them know that you are not a babysitter, and if they cannot find appropriate supervision for their children, they are being negligent, especially with their children under 10. Let them know that they are responsible for housing and feeding their own children, and if they do not feel comfortable letting their children in their own house without supervision, here is a list of local boys and girls clubs or other community centers where their kids could go. They should get the point.

Answer 5

There should be a child protective services agent/investigator on call 24 hours a day. Call the sheriff's office (not 911) and ask them to beep the person on call and that person will call you right back. They will investigate, talk with the kids at school (away from their parents) and then they will visit the home. It will stop the inconveniences for you and make home a good, safe place for the kids to be.

Answer 6

I know you probably feel that you are doing a good thing by helping them out like that,but you have a responsibility to yourself to protect yourself.Heaven forbid if one of those kids should make some type of false accusation against you!I think I would talk with the parents and explain your concerns,if things didn't improve after that you may need to contact law enforcement or a child protection service.

Answer 7

You should probably advise your neighbor that you are worried because the boys are out in the cold/rain. Also tell his you are concerned about where the girls would go if you weren't home. If he/she still refuses to make keys (or at keast a key for the oldest child), notify CPS.
This type of thing is accepteble on occassion, but not on a regular basis.

Answer 8

Next time it happens, don't answer the door. Then, while the kids are sitting on the steps in the snow, call the police. Advise them that you are concerned about the kids welfare. I guarantee the police will have a nice little chat with the parents and I bet your problem is solved.

Answer 9

i can see that you feel in a sticky situation. I'd just go talk to their parents in a concerned but not judgemental way. I admire your actions and your trusting nature, but you can get in trouble for that these days. Getting to know that parents is the best solution.
on the other hand... you are giving those kids a wonderful example of human kindness that it doesn't seem like they are getting at home!

Answer 10

How many kids does this guy have that he's letting run around in the cold? - call the law man.