child neglect?

Question

this is a story that happended to me and i dont know what to do, one day i was keepin my little brother i had just got off the phone with his grandma so i could lay him down for a nap when my cousin who lives nrxt door because i stay in the projects: called me and told me to come get my batteries she had brought for me.My brother was sleep so i layed in the chair by the door so that i could hear him,and went next door to get the the batteries, when i came back someone called the police on me because he came out of the apartment looking for me i gone only 10 min what should i do because i have to go to court

Answer 1

If that is your story- and you dont have history of neglect then you are probably going to be ok. But if there are any other factors and if that story is not quite the truth the judge will know. It will come out. Its never ok to leave children unattended. In another room while sleeping- ok. In another housing unit? Not ok. A work partner of mine left her house to get lunch and left her cousin asleep on the couch. When she got back the house was in flames and the cousin just happened to check the back room and felt the bed with her hands and found the baby. Never assume children are ok alone.

Answer 2

I dont think your actions constitute neglect on the grounds that you took precautions to make sure you could hear your brother by placing him within earshot. That indicates that you were still taking responsibility for the child that is in your care. You took measures to insure the safety of your brother while he was sleeping--its not like you left him running around naked near a pot of boiling oil on a hot stove (leaving him unattended while he could actively hurt himself). If your brother is usually a heavy sleeper and doesnt awaken easily you probably knew that to start with and felt safe with the care that you took. If 99% of the time that you lay the boy down to sleep he stays that way for a long time and this one time he jumped up, your judgement was mistaken but you were not willfully neglectful.

Also the fact that you did not leave the building will work to your advantage in court. During your court appearance make sure that you describe clearly just how often members of your family and the ones nextdoor run back and forth to each others homes (probably with the doors wide open). In effect you and your brother probably live just as much nextdoor as you do in your own apartment. Was the idea in your mind at all that if he did awaken, that nextdoor would be the first place he would wander? If so, then you did not in any sense abandon the child--he was STILL IN YOUR CARE and you were still within the area where you both live.

Think carefully about the reasoning that you used when you went nextdoor and write it all down, be prepared for questions and I think you will be okay.

Answer 3

I can honestly say, I don't know what to say. It used to be okay to leave your little ones alone in the house for 10 minutes while they were sleeping. I remember when I was 5 (I'm only 26 now) my mom left me with my sleeping brother to go pick my dad up from down the road on the farm he was working at. It wasn't a big deal. Now, someone does that, and the neighbors have their noses in everyone else's business. The truth is, was the child really in any harm? Probably not. You just have to go in there, be honest, and don't freak out. Act like you truly believe that what you did was not wrong. However, since you live in an apartment and in the projects, I don't know how they are going to look at that. How old is your brother? Were you just watching him or do you have custody of him? If you were only watching him, you probably don't have much to worry about since he wasn't harmed in any way.

Answer 4

You never leave a child alone. Accept the consequences of your poor judgement. Learn from it and become a better person. Take parenting classes (I realize this is your little brother and not your son) they will open your eyes up to how to be a better parent if you already are one or when you will be one. Ask the court what you can do to show your sincere apology for the error in judgement and do what they say. Dont be angry for being caught be thankful nothing serious happened to your little brother and that you have a new opportunity to still be with him and share in his life because someone was good enough to see a child alone and do the right thing. Realize this was the right thing for someone to have done. 1 min is all it takes for someone to kidnap, molest, or murder a child. Be thankful none of this happened and you still have an opportunity to be a better person because of this. Develop your conscience and listen to it not in just situations like this but in all situations in life.

Answer 5

You tell them the truth and that you are sorry, because sweety, the truth is that you should not leave a small child by himself not even for ten minutes, is to risky, but im sure you didn't do it to be neglectful all of us had done once, thinking it would be OK is just a few minutes, but a child could turn out missing in a matter of seconds,you just make sure than when you go to court, you show that you are truly sorry and that you understand that it was a mistake of your part and they will listen to this more than you making any excuses. Trust me on this one. good luck.

Answer 6

Just tell the judge the truth, don't smart off, be respectful, and explain that you realize now that you really screwed up.

Tell the judge, "I had my priorities wrong, I wasn't thinking, Your honor." Something like that.

They might give you a warning, since nothing happened. Plus also the fact that seems like you are underage yourself? It's up to your parents / mother to make sure someone is there, if you are under 18.

You sound like a nice person. Good luck.

Answer 7

How old is your little brother? My first reaction is "What were you thinking"?! You live in the projects and you thought it was a good or ACCEPTABLE to leave your brother unattended like that?? That was definitely irresponsible. Say your prayers, that's all you can do. When you know better, you do better!

Answer 8

There isn't much you can do, It was pure negleciance on your part. regardless of whether or not he was asleep, something could have happened. What was so important that you needed those batteries? Why couldn't your friend have brought them over is my question. Maybe next time you will think before your actions.

Answer 9

tell the court exactly what happened and see if your cousin will testify to back your story. also consult a legal counsel

Answer 10

go to court...maybe you will learn something about how to take care of children...he is your brother
learn how to take care of them before you have your own
you don't leave little ones on their own
be thankful he was not hurt
you could of had your neighbor come to you