My mother lives in a nice mobile home park. There is a child there that plays with my niece. The story of this little girl is really sad. She is 7 years old. Her mother is a known drug addict - You can actually tell by looking at her. She makes the little girl (Stephanie) stay out all day during the summer. She wanders all over the mobile home park all day long unattended. She can go home for a few minutes to get a snack only. I've witnessed this. She's out after dark frequently. Many times her mother has gone door to door after dark trying to locate her. She has really bad head lice and has had it for a year and a half. Her mother keeps dyeing her hair in an attempt to get rid of it - It hasn't worked.

Now for the update. My nieces and nephews were at my mom's house recently and played with Stepanie for the day. It was getting dark and Stephanie was at the play ground by herself. My nieces and nephews asked her if she was going to go home since it was getting dark. Stephanie said no - She just has to be home by 9pm because the security guard comes on duty them. Then she told my nieces and nephews something really disturbing. First of all; she has a father. He works and doesn't appear obviously to do drugs. But he's really apathetic. He doesn't really care how his kids (Stephanie has an older brother) are being raised. Stephanie told my nieces and nephews that her father moved a really good friend of his (A grown man) into their home. HE LETS THIS FRIEND SLEEP IN STEPHANIE'S ROOM WITH HER. The way Stephanie describes it is they have bunk beds and she sleeps on the top bunk and her father's friend sleeps on the bottom bunk.

Now: I want to call CPS and report this. However, doing this is very serious and not something I take lightly. Stephanie hasn't said her father's friend does anything to her; but then again alot of children won't talk about things like that. I just think the situation is potentially dangerous.

What do you think I should do. I'm going to my mother's house tomorrow for a visit and I can get the Mobile home number and call then. Some members of my family are not to keen about me sticking my nose in this which is why I'm asking for your advice.

CALL CPS!!

don't worry about what your family thinks--do what is right--since obviously neither of her parents care enough to. It's not an easy thing to do but it needs to be done. Don't know where you live but in my state there is a "tip" line that you can call and report such things anonymously.


IMO you're NOT butting into where you don't belong, you're just looking out for a child that is need of help.

this poor little girl will be in my prayers tonite. hope you will keep me posted?

Couldn't have said it better than George,

Call them!

I'm sure you can do it anonymously, if your state doesn't have the tip line you just let the person know who you talk to that you don't want it made puplic that it was you who called and usually that's ok with them, they'll investigate it further without you being involved!

Pia

Call Child Protective Services AND the local police IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even without the adult male not related to this little girl sharing her bedroom (terrifying!), the neglect this child is suffering by wandering around alone all day is staggering.

This child needs a home where she will be cared for, not neglectful parents who place her at risk each and every day and night with their irresponsible, ILLEGAL behavior. I am stunned.

Please, please, please call CPS. If you don't want to do it yourself, please PM me the name of the child and the address of the trailer park, including city and state, and I will immediately make the calls myself to CPS and the local police.

Please, I beg you, do this today, right now. This little girl's life needs intervention. A child is helpless to improve their own situation in life unless a responsible adult takes the time and concern to speak up and provide for her needs in whatever way necessary, when her own parents cannot or will not.

I don't wish to be judgmental, and I can understand the feelings your family may have about not wishing to get involved... BUT... just think what might have happened had more people spoken up during the first atrocities of the holocaust. To stand by and not do something when obvious crimes against fellow humans are being committed is irresponsible, in my humble opinion.

- dizzy

Okay - I just got off the phone with CPS. They took me very seriously and asked a lot of questions. They also gave me a case number if I get more info. I also gave them the number to talk to my niece and nephew and get their side of things.

Thanks for the advice everyone - I feel better now.

You have nothing to lose by reporting it, and you may be saving a child a rough adulthood. You should feel proud you reported it.

yep you definitely did, when there is little ones that are in harms way you have to call, obviously the parents are worried about them.

Thank you!!! Congratulations for having the courage to stand up and do a difficult, but necessary thing!

I will keep Stephanie and her brother in my prayers, and will say a special prayer for you, crazygirl. You made my day.

- dizzy

That was a great thing you did. My fiance has a daughter from previous relationship, and come to find out she had been in foster care for a couple of months and is know staying with her grandparents, because her mother decided to leave her with her roommate saying she would be back and not show up for days, and was not the first time she had done this. Come to find out she is abusing drugs and was doing it in front of her, plus abusing her. Now we are both glad that the roommate finally called Child Services on her. Right now the mother is in jail again for drugs and my fiance is in the process of trying to get full costudy of her. So it's always good to call Child Services if you think a child is being abused or neglected. Cause in most cases they are.

Thank you and thank GOD for giving you the courage to make that call. There is nothing in this world worse than being in the position where you could have done something, only to find out that it's far far too late. GOD Bless you and give you peace. You did the right thing. I'm proud of you !



Cheri