Is this a case of neglect?

Denikka - posted on 11/28/2012

6 and 9?? XD ahahahahahaha!!!!

I lived in a rural area all through my school years (mid 90's and on). Same bus right through highschool (2007 ish) We picked up the elementary school kids along with the highschoolers.

There were always kids, kindergarten (5 years old) and up, who walked with their older siblings or older neighbors (7yrs +). And not always just out the door either. Sometimes up to 1/2 a mile or more depending on the weather.

Obviously, the laws in your area may be different, but if the law says it's okay, then it's okay.

I would personally take a picture, from your front porch, of where the kids go to wait for the bus (to show visibility), maybe take some measurements to show how far it is, etc.



She sounds like a total nutter. Start recording everything she does. Anytime you see her taping outside your house, write down date and time. Anything she confronts you with, write down what the confrontation was about, date and time. Record the state the kids come to your house in (dirty clothes, sick, no bath, hungry, bruises, etc). Record good and bad, make it unbiased. Then let her take you to court. She'll get laughed out of the room.

HeatherJ - posted on 11/28/2012

I have a police officer friend and he said since its a public street it's not considered stalking. It's perfectly legal for her to be this crazy and I'm running out of options

Lacye - posted on 11/28/2012

It may not be illegal to video tape another person but it is illegal to stalk another person. Start a video tape of your own when you guys send the kids to the bus. That way you will have proof showing she is doing this.

Lakota - posted on 11/28/2012

It may be legal to video record people, but it is against the law to harass people. Any judge will see that she is harassing your husband.

HeatherJ - posted on 11/28/2012

The boys are almost 6 and 9. He only does it when our son is sleeping or sick. In Maryland it's legal to video record people. It's just upsetting when she's the bad mother. They are ALWAYS sick when they leave her house and she doesn't bathe them or brush thread teeth. I just hate she's putting my husband through all of this

Sarah - posted on 11/28/2012

How old are the kids? In our state children under 5 must be accompanied to bus stop w a adult or be at their front door in sight (which he was). But it sounds like you're fine :)

Dove - posted on 11/28/2012

That's not neglect. She is stalking him though.... Judges don't tend to like that irrational behavior. Have him report her.

America3437 - posted on 11/28/2012

This doesn't sound like neglect at all! She is stalking your family and I would call the police and report some crazy person is driving around videotaping the neighborhood children...see how she likes that...lol

Lakota - posted on 11/28/2012

No, it doesn't sound like neglect. But, their mother's behavior will eventually hurt them.

Lacye - posted on 11/28/2012

Not really. How old are the boys? If they are old enough to walk to the bus by themselves then I don't really see the problem with it, especially since he is standing outside watching them the entire way.