How much child negligence is a legal offense

[ACooper]

that should be fined and/or jailed for?

ARGH!

The neighbors across the street have their daughter living back at home. She has 3 little children, I'm guessing the ages at 1 (little boy), 2 (another little boy) and *maybe* 4 for the oldest girl. The mom comes out in the front yard with them, stays on her cell while she's out there, and then she randomly goes into the house leaving them all three to roam for 15-30 minutes at a time!

They run back and forth across the street without looking (obviously a bit young to check for cars) they are darting between the parked cars on the street and no matter how slow a car is coming, they can't be seen until that last split second! I think every one of us neighbors have gotten those kids out of the road in the last few months.........they've (the adults) been asked, told, and even WARNED by more than one of us. I don't think they take it seriously because there is a stop sign at both ends of our little block, but I've seen cars get up to way more than 30-40 mph just because they can in that little stretch!

At what point should the police be called about this? I mean, it's obviously not something any of us want to do, but we can't be free babysitters for those kids either........plus, if one got hurt it would be devastating to all of us, not to mention the driver who IMO wouldn't be at fault. You can bet your sweet butt that the mom would want as much "compensation" from the insurance company as she could milk, even though THIS IS HER FAULT!

Another thing, do you think the police would even do much about it? Maybe a warning the first or second visit and then *maybe* a fine or something? I haven't been in that situation before, but right now as I type they are darting in and out of the street with mom nowhere in sight

 

[Taqroy]

I would call social services. My SIL found out recently (her ex bf called her in cause he's a jerk, not because she's a bad parent) that you don't even have to leave your name when you file a report here. You just have to report that you don't think the kids are being cared for properly. I would for kids that are out in the street running around for sure. There's a bunch of awful four plexes right down the street from us and I constantly see toddlers running around them unattended. The road is RIGHT THERE and the gate is never closed! And there's never anyone watching them. It drives me crazy.

 

[Brattina88]

Call. Seriously.

There's a child across the street from us at work, they boys a toddler and he gets outside unnatended all the time. We are mandated to report things like this... Out in the road, cars swerving and honking, we called. Then a day or so later he was playing UNDER the semi that was delivering food and supplies to us in the road. FREAKED us all out, we thought he'd been hit. The driver got him and brought him inside - he was filthy. The police came right away, and the very next day a social worker came out. The moms now in parenting classes and they do random visits.
She sits outside with him now

I don't think any of us would forgive ourselves if we let this go on, and ge got hit
jmho

 

[ACooper]

I know none of us would forgive ourselves (or that mother) if one of those kids got hit either........it's just that we all have to live here and I'd REALLY hate to rock the boat. We've all mentioned them being in the road, I mentioned it to Grandma (who's probably in her 50's) thinking that perhaps she didn't know how her daughter was watching them and it still hasn't helped

I guess I will have to suck it up and call somebody about it..........I truly do not want to do it, it might open up another can of worms for her if she's getting some kind of government help and I REALLY REALLY don't want to be the cause of all that trouble to anyone

 

[AGonzalez]

Well Coop, there's two ways to look at it. If nobody wants to "rock the boat" one of those kid could be injured or killed. Not trying to be harsh but if their mother won't get off her ass and watch them, then those poor kids will be the ones to suffer, not her.

I can't imagine kids that young being out in the road. My 3 are about the same ages, except my oldest son is nearly 7. He's the only one allowed to play outside without me being out there (and I live in a cul-de-sac) but he's old enough to know better than to play in the street and to watch out for cars. If my middle child is outside, I'm outside, and he's almost 4.

It's ridiculous that she's doing that, and I understand why you don't want to bring the wrath of CPS down on her, but she's someone who might need them to come out and tell her to pull her head out of her ass.

 

[Pam111]

Though it's likely nothing will happen, at least calling will put it on record for next time...
Children that young should not be out in the street!

 

[sparks19]

I agree with AG. is not rocking the boat worth what will eventually be the inevitable outcome? one of the children WILL be hit one of these days. would you rather rock the boat or have to witness that?

You can call the police. you can leave your name with them but they aren't going to tell her who called. then the police can contact CPS. or you can contact them first. either way... someone has to call and do something

 

[Pam111]

And sometimes CPS can do good things like classes. Maybe she is just truly ignorant and could benefit from their services. They're not going to come in and take the kids away. They usually try to offer some sort of help

 

[Renee750il]

At what point should the police be called about this?

A long time ago.

Think about what's going to happen to someone driving down the street when one -- or more of those kids darts out and gets killed.

It may take more than one call, and from more than one of you, though.

 

[ACooper]

And sometimes CPS can do good things like classes. Maybe she is just truly ignorant and could benefit from their services. They're not going to come in and take the kids away. They usually try to offer some sort of help

That's what I'd be most worried about.........they'd march in, jump the gun, and remove the kids. My head knows sometimes that's the best outcome, but my heart wants to be sure she's been given every chance to fix her behavior.

I know it's going to come to making the call.......today, or tomorrow, or the next day, it will happen

 

[AGonzalez]

CPS and all that usually only takes children out of homes that are clearly dangerous or neglectful...like abusive parents or parents starving their children. I doubt they'll march in on her and take them away unless there is more going on in that home than those kids running amok in the street. If that's the case, then they'll be better off for it in the end.

 

[Pam111]

Yes, it is highly, highly unlikely. Generally if they have enough evidence to open a case at all, they will offer services and monitor the family for a short time and that's it. If she's ignorant and could use help, this is good. If she knows what's she's doing and is just an ass, maybe it'll be a good wake up call for her. Maybe there isn't enough evidence to do anything. Either way, the call is a good thing.

 

[drmom777]

I have to say my recent experiences with child protective services are very different than those of the people here. CPS is capricious and some of their agents are dumber than banana slugs causing them to do all kinds of crazy and illogical things.

EDIT: I reread this and find in necessary to add that there are also smart, caring and efficient agents out there. You just don't know who they are going to send. And, at least around here, they all live in fear of missing something and then someone getting hurt or killed because of recent scandals so they are very threatening.

 

[Pam111]

I have to say my recent experiences with child protective services are very different than those of the people here. CPS is capricious and some of their agents are dumber than banana slugs causing them to do all kinds of crazy and illogical things.

That's what is unfortunate about it. It's a judgment call by an individual...
it will vary a lot depending on where you are. I'm just talking based on my experiences with the foster care system and child welfare system in court here

 

[Miakoda]

Well, my nieces have been banned from entering their house until mommy says they can go in and it's been at least 3 hours now that they've been outside in 98 degree weather with no water, no food and absolutely zero supervision.

 

[LilahRoot]

Well, my nieces have been banned from entering their house until mommy says they can go in and it's been at least 3 hours now that they've been outside in 98 degree weather with no water, no food and absolutely zero supervision.

:yikes:

I don't know what is up with people these days. Who in their right mind lets their one year old run around in the street?!? My son is almost three and he never leaves my sight, EVER!

 

[ACooper]

Well, my nieces have been banned from entering their house until mommy says they can go in and it's been at least 3 hours now that they've been outside in 98 degree weather with no water, no food and absolutely zero supervision.

That is terrible Mia! I would be IRATE if those were my nieces (as I'm sure you are) and most likely whip my sister's / brother's behind!

Well the two smallest ones were right up on my porch this evening when we sat down for dinner.......remember, they are ACROSS THE STREET NEIGHBORS. No mommy in sight for at least 5 minutes while they were playing with the sidewalk chalk my kids left on the porch. *sigh* I think I am going to look up that number for tomorrow........I don't know what else to do that we haven't tried already

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

that is a frustrating situation--have you spoken to the Mom at all? That can be tricky too--but it sure sounds like someone needs to be watching these kids!

 

[Romy]

I'd be calling the police. All you have to say is that there is an unattended toddler playing in traffic. They'll be pretty pissed at the mom when they come out and give her an earful.

 

[LabLove]

I would call the police, CPS, etc. as many times as it takes to help these kids. Children are very rarely taken from their parents and the call is anonymous. The mother is NOT going to change without intervention. Someone needs to speak up for these children, and it sounds like it's going to have to be you.