Child Endangerment and the Fine Line
By SarahBelle
@SarahBelle (34)
United States
September 3, 2006 11:25am CST
What draws the line between being a nosey neighbor and being concerned that a child is in danger?
Lets say you are walking into your apartment and see a apartment wide open with a 11 month old in a play pen, dirty and just in a diaper, with noone around. The child is screaming.
Would you call police/ DHS or would you think that its none of your business?
I see so many kids who are POORLY taken care of. (just because you are poor doesnt mean your children have to be dirty) Children who are neglected, so where do you draw the line?
6 responses
@chalmette69 (3007)
• United States
15 Sep 06
Yes,if I thought the child was in danger,because I don't think I would be able to live with my self if anything were to happen to the child and I didn't do anything.
@rherdey (966)
• United States
4 Sep 06
I would be concern but as one pointed out walk in or knock and find out if some one is there and maybe even lend a hand ...I have worked in the health field for years and I can tell you there are more people out there that live the way you descriped then you want to know about....Sorry people have become lazy and do not take care of children themselves and homes like they did years ago ..a shame but hey lend a hand if you can...
@classicaljazz (1628)
• United States
3 Sep 06
I think I would walk in taking loudly so the people knew I was coming in. You never know, the mom could have been unloading groceries and hadn't had a chance to tend to the baby or maybe she had to go to the bathroom. I would offer to help. This way you are gaining more information to see if she is having a busy day or if this is a common occurence.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
3 Sep 06
If it looked like the kid had been there awhile, yes I would call DHS - no questions asked. If it looked like the door was open and the mom (or whoever was watching the kid) ran to her car real quick to grab groceries (not sure why they would leave the door open) I would not be as concerned, but if I saw a second incident, I would say something. I would definitely give the apartment manager a heads up either way just in case another resident mentions something to them.
@maya_n_bennett (4687)
• United States
4 Sep 06
I would call the police/DHS and stay with the child until they come. Im not sure why the caretaker, mom, grandma, etc etc, whoever was keeping this child didnt do their job. I would never leave my child like that.
