Should I call CPS.......

Emilie - posted on 04/19/2010 ( 59 moms have responded )

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There is a 5 year old boy that lives a few apt. down from me and I am not sure if his parents properly care for this child. He wears the same clothes for days at a time even if they are covered in dirt. I thought that maybe they don't have enough clothes for him, so I went through my sons clothes and gathered up all the clothes that are to small for my son (my son is 7) I could have taken the clothes to a thrift store but I wanted to make sure that little boy had enough clothes, I know some other people have given him clothes also, but they don't ever put those clothes that I gave to him on him.

When he gets hurt outside the neighbors are always the ones to clean it and bandage it. He is outside all the time with no adult suppervision. He goes around asking neighbors for food. Sometimes his parents leave him alone while they go up the road. I walked outside a couple days ago and he was outside like always, but I didn't see his parents car. I asked him if anybody was home and he said no, that his father had left to take his mother to work. I think it is very wrong of them to leave him alone. What if he was seriously hurt and we didn't know how to get in touch with anybody about him. Sometimes they ask if I can watch him while they go up the road and then they are gone for hours with out leaving me any contact information. I really feel like his parents don't care much about him.



The thing is, is that I am kind of friends with the father. I don't talk to the mother much because she works all the time. The boy plays with my son alot, but alot of time my son does not want to play with him because he is kind of on the annoying side. He does go to daycare, he is in the "More at 4" program, I know he is 5 but he started when he was 4, and he stays in until he starts real school. The daycare teacher has given him some stuff, I don't know if she has called CPS or not. I am going to call tomorrow. I am really nervious about calling though. Today I though he was alone. His dad was not at home and his mother was inside sleeping and the front door was locked (his mother dosen't like to sleep with the door unlocked.) It is not really the mothers fault though because she had worked 3rd shift, and the father should have taken him with him. I didn't realize that he was basically alone until his father got home and I saw him unlock the door, then I found out that his mother was inside sleeping. I also saw the parents fighting the other day and the father was holding the front door shut so his wife couldn't get out. They have a weird relationship.

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59 Comments

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Mary - posted on 04/19/2010

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If the boy has no supervision and he's being left home alone then It's your duty to report what your seeing. You could be saving a child from neglect. Its Child Abuse Awareness Month.. CALL!!!!!! Even if its nothing.. You did what you felt was right ... by protecting the child. Who is innocent...

Kimberly - posted on 04/19/2010

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definatly! i so would. that is so irrisponsible!

Mynique - posted on 04/19/2010

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DEFINITELY!!!! This child is in an unsafe/unfit environment. He is not being supervised and neglect is just as bad as physical or mental abuse..He needs to have someone watching him and supervising him..He shouldn't have to go around begging for food..and if his clothes are that bad, imagine how long it's been since he's had a bath..These parents shouldn't be parents at all and the child deserves a better home environment. CPS will likely put him in a foster home or take him if he's in an environment that they deem unfit. I couldn't sleep at night if I knew that child was in that circumstance and I had done nothing. Call them ASAP. for the sake of the child and your own peace of mind

Karen - posted on 04/19/2010

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i say if it's making you even think about whether or not they should be contacted, then do it! if it's a situation that even for a second makes your mind wander to the involvement of cps then you need to follow your instincts and give them a call - he absolutely deserves better then that!

Christine - posted on 04/19/2010

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If I was in your situation yes. That being said be ready for backlash of anger from the parents. Although CPS is not to give out who called
you are required to leave your contact information. The parents are likely to react badly because they clearly don't see what they are doing as wrong, but they will lash out at all those around them, and even the child.

Ink - posted on 04/19/2010

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I have seen a friend's sister get in trouble with CPS for these EXACT same complaints.



I think your concern is justified... and if I were in your shoes, I would...for that little boy.

Jennifer - posted on 04/19/2010

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I would contact CPS immediately. He shouldn't be unsupervised.

Lisa - posted on 04/19/2010

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if it were me i would call cps. no child that age should be left alone. next time you see him unattended outside call the police....

Amy - posted on 04/19/2010

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If he's unattended and his parents aren't home and you were not asked to watch him then I would contact cps. As far as the food situation his parents may not have money for food and he's become resourceful and turned to the neighbors, but he's only 5 and needs to be supervised!