Redditor Calls Police About Small Kids Running Down The Street Unsupervised, Fears They Might Have Brought Trouble On That Family

Did they do the right thing?

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 1, 2023

Parenting, a journey filled with twists and turns, often presents us with perplexing and uncertain situations. While we may feel confident in raising our children, encountering unfamiliar little faces can trigger a sense of unease.

As parents, we embrace our responsibility to care for and protect our kids, but when it involves other children, determining the right course of action becomes challenging. In these moments, we discover that parenthood extends beyond our own family, requiring compassion and wisdom to support the little souls we encounter along the way.

Recently, OP heard kids playing on her porch and asked her children to get ready, thinking their friends were outside. As her daughter opened the door, two very small children hurried towards the road with no adult in sight.

Filled with worry, OP attempted to find out where they lived, but the boy was uncooperative, leading her to call the non-emergency police line. Soon after, two cops arrived and located the mother nearby.

Though it took some time, she eventually managed to gather her kids and leave. The little girl seemed shy, while the boy's demeanor was demanding and disrespectful, even for a three-year-old.

He disregarded his mother's instructions and even attempted to enter OP's house without permission. After sharing the incident with friends and family, who supported her actions, OP's boyfriend suggested the mother's glare might be related to their legal status in the country.

Struggling with the situation, OP questioned whether she handled it correctly. In the end, she decided to report the incident to Child Protective Services out of concern for possible neglect or abuse, not wanting to cause harm, but also not wanting to babysit unknown children.

OP heard kids playing on the porch, where were two small unknown kids run towards road unsupervised. OP tried to help and called non-emergency police line to report situation.

Two cops arrived 20 mins later and found the mom

OP encountered odd behavior from a young boy and a girl. Girl shy, boy unusually demanding and disrespectful, even for a three-year-old

OP didn't want to babysit unknown children for free. She wonders if she was wrong in this situation

OP called CPS after concerns were raised about abuse/negligence, providing details for investigation.

OP did the right thing by not shutting the door on them.

OP acted responsibly for the kids' safety.

Unsupervised kids far from home, OP's call to the police is justified.

OP made the right call

OP did the right thing

Eventual unlawful status doesn't excuse bad parenting

If they're undocumented, they should prioritize their kids' safety to avoid police involvement

Encountering unfamiliar children and facing uncertain situations as parents is undoubtedly challenging. In the case of OP, the concern for the two small children left unsupervised on her porch was not only justified but commendable.  

As parents, we must look out for the well-being of all children, not just our own. The decision to call the non-emergency police line and eventually report the incident to Child Protective Services was not about causing harm or inconvenience to the mother but about ensuring the safety and welfare of those innocent kids.

Damjan