Should I plug the plug...Is this child neglect...Can I get into trouble?

Question

My neighbor recently reported to me that they were having trouble with their power. According to them the power co. "messed up" the lines. We told them they could run a drop cord from our property so they could have heat until the situation was resolved. They said it would only be a day or two. The next day their landlord reported to us that they had been caught "stealing" power, and they refused to pay their bill to have power turned back on. I shrugged it off because I thought they since they told us it would only be a couple of days they would handle the situation and get their power on.

Now it has been a week. I don't want to plug the plug because they have 3 babies living there, and it gets cold at night. There is about 9 living there altogether, only one works...and that is the 76 yr old man. His wife is disabled but has 4 children there, all healthy and able to work...none do or will.

Is having no heat child neglect? Can I get into trouble for running power to there home?

Answer 1

You can get into a lot of trouble running your power over there, not to mention you are violating building codes as well. You are risking your good standing with the electric company and could be fined in addition to city code violations. Running power to them on an electrical cord is a big city code violation and for good reason it can be very hazardous. Even though you are paying for the power the electric company and the city do not want you violating code.

Tell them you can't allow it anymore they need to make arrangements within 48 hours. You don't have to give them that long, but I would because of the children.

No heat is child neglect, if the lights go out after your notice and they don't have them turned back on I would contact cps they can investigate and see if there is something more going on. I doubt no power is the only thing these kids are going through.

You've been very caring and generous I applaud you for that, it's a shame there are people who take advantage like this. It breaks my heart to think about how many children go through more things we can possibly imagine on a daily basis.

Answer 2

Your compassin is admirable, but, unfortunately, these people will continue to sponge off you for as long as you allow it to continue. They can go to any number of charity organizations in your area and request emergency assistance to get their power bill paid and have service restored, and are also likely eligible for some sort of public assistance given there are children in the home. You can give them a deadline (soon, unless you are wealthy and don't mind paying a double power bill next month), and also give them a list of help organizations in the area that they can go to and/or call for emergency assistance (start by looking in the phone book under "charities", like the Salvation Army). If you feel that the children are at risk, call the Department of Children & Families (DCF) or whatever the agency is called where you live, and request that a caseworker look into the matter. Explain that you are concerned and have done as much as you feel is reasonable to help these people out, but can do no more. You have already done far more than most people would, so don't feel guilty. The help is out there - but these people need to seek it for themselves.

I have no idea if you can get into any trouble for helping them out. I don't think the power utility gives a rat's @ss, as long as you pay your soon-to-be escalated bill.

Having no heat may be considered neglect, but that is up to DCF to determine. More likely they will be questioned about the number of non-working individuals in the home (as well they should be). There is a fine line between being a good samaritan and being a doormat - and you are about to cross over it.

Answer 3

These people are using you!
PULL THE PLUG!!!
They are responsible for their children, not you.
You tried to be a good neighbor - a week is to long.
As long as you are paying the bill, they won't do anything.
They can't sue you for not supplying their power. Will they
pay you when you get your bill?
Call the power co. and see what they say about you
supplying power to these people.
The Landlord told you they have committed a crime - stealing
electricity - is a crime.
How old are the so called "Children"? You said there all healthy
and able to work - but they are not. I don't know if childrens aid
will be able to help - if these "Children" are old enough to work.
I assume the old man (76) is the father, the children must be
a bit older than just being Kids and going to school.

Answer 4

You are very kind and I just want to say thank you for not letting those kids freeze, I don't think that you can get in trouble for that but there are programs that will help them pay their bill, they need to contact the city and they will direct them, it is like emergency assistance. Or they can go to a church and get assistance , but I really didn't think that they could turn off the heat with kids in the house... anyways I would talk to them and ask how long it is going to be cause that could end up costing you alot of money! That is what I would do, Good luck and don't let them take advantage of you k,, even if you are so kind hart ed.. oh and if they don't want to hear what you have to say about the assistance n stuff, then u bet my *** I would call child protective services! Thanks! :)

Answer 5

If you are the one paying the power bill, then I don't think you can get into trouble. If you buy a product then give it away as a gift, then that's your right. I don't think you could ask them for money, though, because you don't have a permit to 'resell' electricity.
As far as the child neglect portion, you are not the one responsible for the child's welfare. However, in your situation, I would probably only allow them access to your power at specific hours of the day, or if the weather forecast is for below a certain temperature. Letting them leech off of you indefinitely will only cause other problems. And you need to set a cut off date, no ifs, ands or buts. Do some research and find out if there are assistance programs in your area that could help these people, and pass that information along to them.

Answer 6

I do not think you could get in trouble but you should go over and have a talk with them and let them know that this is going to be a high bill, can they contribute to it or maybe you could be a nice neighbor and try to help them get the lights and heat back on. Maybe you could go pay some of the money directly to the power company if you can afford it. FOR THE CHILDRENS SAKE! There are organizations that will help them pay the bill like salvation army,

Answer 7

Yes....no heat in the winter is child neglect- I would call child protective services. The children deserve a better living situation.

No it isn't illegal to run power to their home because you will end up paying for the power bill based on how much they use. They are using you because they don't want to work....if it was cable it would be illegal because you pay one flat fee per month and by giving them cable you are "stealing" form the cable company. Power is different, though, because you pay depending on how much you use.---- Just expect a HIGH heat bill this month- and bet your bottom dollar that you won't get any help froom them in paying it.

Answer 8

Yes you can get in trouble.If a electrical fire should happen in their home you may find you are responsible for providing power to the home.You have no way to find out if the wiring they are usind is safe.If they are heating their home or a portion of thier home from a cord run from your home you may be overloading your own circuits.I advise pull the plug.You could be saving your home or yourlives from a fire.Call local police tell them about situation with cituation with children.

Answer 9

Their children are not yours to support. It is not your fault that no one works except for the old man. You have been generous in letting them have power from your home and you have already set th edeadline. You need to stick to this or I have a feeling this will NEVER end. You have your own family to support and this is costing you money too.

Answer 10

As long as you pay the bill, you can't get in trouble for running an extension cord to them. However, yes it IS child neglect, and in many states it is also abuse. You should report this to both your area Police and also to your local Department of Human Resources/Child Welfare office.