My neighbors falsely accused me of child abuse......is this legal?

Question

So we've been having some problems with the people who live downstairs in our apartment building. We used to be friends, but the relationship turned sour after a financial transaction. My boyfriend and I just let it go, but they have taken it to a whole new level. Little things, that as isolated incidents, wouldn't be a big deal started happening every night. Someone kept turning off our hot water heater overnight, blew out the pilot light to our furnace, and took our laundry out of the dryer and stomped on it. I reported this to our landlord who advised we ignore it, and they would lose interest in it. A few days ago, I went to take our dogs out and the guy downstairs was waiting for me. He called me hateful words like b*tch and the dreaded "c" word, because I had taken off the knob to the back door because they kept locking me out (my landlord gave me permission to do it.) I called the landlord and reported the harassment, and he advised I call the police and file a report,

which I did. The cops told him to leave me alone. Yesterday, my boyfriend went to an appointment with his probation officer, and she reported that someone had called her claiming that we abuse and neglect out 1 year old daughter which is ABSOLUTLEY LUDACRIS. I am so friggin angry that anyone would make allegations like this, and of course the PO won't give the name of the person who reported, but I know it's them getting me back for reporting their childish behaviour to the police. Can they get in trouble for filing a report like this out of spite? What kind of steps should I take to ensure that they stop doing things like this??? I feel like I'm being stalked in my own home. Who knows what they might do next??? Help!

Answer 1

Your downstairs neighbors are carrying out a campaign of harassment against you.

This is ILLEGAL, and you can get help.

First, do the best you can to document everything they do - take pictures of any damage they cause, keep whatever written records you can of any kind of false legal complaint they file against you, tape any threats they make to you verbally or by phone and keep a "harassment diary" - take a notebook and every time they harass you, either you or your boyfriend write down, IN DETAIL every thing they do.

Meanwhile, contact your local police department, ask to speak to a detective, and file a formal complaint. Then go to your county courthouse (with your boyfriend, if possible) and file for an Order of Protection.

Once this Order of Protection is granted, if your neighbors continue harassing you, you can call the police on them - they will be in contempt of court every time they harass you, and they CAN AND WILL GET LOCKED UP.

Sitting in a holding cell has a way of getting people's undivided attention - hopefully, when the cops slap the handcuffs on them, they'll calm the hell down, and stop bothering you and your boyfriend.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes it would've been much different. I mean, a lot of people would respect him and his legacy much more. For example, a lot of kids at my school hate him just because they think he molested children. If he was never accused of that, then maybe some people would actually give his music a chance and realize how amazing it is. But whatever, they can believe what they want to believe, because we know its not true and so did Michael; they're the ones missing out. @Kristen: Stop being ignorant and rude. Btw, before accusing someone of doing something, learn how to spell. Its spelled Pedophile. For God Sakes, there's spell check on here!

Answer 3

As far as I know, it's legal. I mean, the police or social services will check into most things. It's my understanding that here in Wisconsin the social services need to be called 3 times before they check into any accusations. It's for the safety of the kids and if you aren't doing anything wrong, they'll see that. I had it happen to me years ago and the people came into my house, checked my fridge to see if I had food for the baby looked her over and then left.foryou wonderfl neighbors, file a report wth the police EVERY time somethig happens and the police will get on them and hey'lgttred of thepoliccming over. Just make sure you don't do anything bad back to them, becuz then the police'll be at your door instead of theirs.

Answer 4

Hi my name is ashley and i know what you are going throw i had the same promble and me and my husband did the same thing you did with the cops and stuff and thay told the cops that my husband harrassed there little boy and that was a lie and even after all this blow over thay still was saying things and harassing us so we moved if i were you i would not take it and belive me you dont want to go down that road we had to go to count and everthing is got really bad and finally we just moved it was for the best now he dont have people harassing us and as for it is Legal yes thats what the jugde told us

Answer 5

Depends on your states laws. In many states, it is perfectly legal to accuse someone to be a child abuser. But there is another side to this, if the person is cleared of all allegations, then that person would have civil recourse and file a law suit as well as filing for charges based upon a false statement.

Answer 6

If you have been falsely accused get a lawyer and sue him for slander. Sounds like he is not a mature adult. Hopefully he will lose interest, but sometimes it can escalate into violence so write down every issue and call the police when he confronts you.

Answer 7

that is not legal. people can't blame you of something you haven't even done. you should really call the police and file a report like how your landlord told you to.

Answer 8

Call and ask the police if they can do anything...otherwise call a lawyer and file for "harrassment and libel" if you have proof.

Answer 9

its not legal go to a lawyer she can get in trouble for damaging your reputation as a mother

Answer 10

No it's slander if they go public and include your name, but if not, it's completely speculation.