troubled adopted kid.

[bc5]

In Colorado, what kind of acts could be reasons for parents to call the police on their own child. This particular child (age 14) has repeatedly stolen knives and hid them in his room. The parents are scared in their own home. They adopted this child about 2 years ago and do not know how to put up with him any longer. He repeatedly is in trouble and recently the parents have found ashes, matches and lighters in his room. They have been told that there is nothing they can do unless he burns down the house or kills someone. is there any way to keep it from going that far?

 

[Proserpina]

In Colorado, what kind of acts could be reasons for parents to call the police on their own child. This particular child (age 14) has repeatedly stolen knives and hid them in his room. The parents are scared in their own home. They adopted this child about 2 years ago and do not know how to put up with him any longer. He repeatedly is in trouble and recently the parents have found ashes, matches and lighters in his room. They have been told that there is nothing they can do unless he burns down the house or kills someone. is there any way to keep it from going that far?

Is this poor child in counseling?

Any chance one of the parents could sign up?

 

[Isis1]

In Colorado, what kind of acts could be reasons for parents to call the police on their own child. This particular child (age 14) has repeatedly stolen knives and hid them in his room. The parents are scared in their own home. They adopted this child about 2 years ago and do not know how to put up with him any longer. He repeatedly is in trouble and recently the parents have found ashes, matches and lighters in his room. They have been told that there is nothing they can do unless he burns down the house or kills someone. is there any way to keep it from going that far?

wow. this child sounds like he feels the need to protect himself...trust issues. poor child.

how is the child getting the matches? the lighters?

do you know there are ways to make sure these items are not obtainable? that counseling is an option?

children are not puppies to be returned to the pound when they chew up your Louboutin's.

 

[mistoffolees]

In Colorado, what kind of acts could be reasons for parents to call the police on their own child. This particular child (age 14) has repeatedly stolen knives and hid them in his room. The parents are scared in their own home. They adopted this child about 2 years ago and do not know how to put up with him any longer. He repeatedly is in trouble and recently the parents have found ashes, matches and lighters in his room. They have been told that there is nothing they can do unless he burns down the house or kills someone. is there any way to keep it from going that far?

To answer the specific question:

If the child is a clear danger to anyone (including the parents), legal action can be taken.

Equally or more importantly, if the child is a danger to himself, there are steps that can be taken to get him the treatment and care that he needs. But he needs to be seeing a mental health professional. I see two immediate actions that could be taken:

1. Family counseling. I would NOT start with just the child in counseling because he will see it as an attack on him. Family counseling says "we want to find a way to work together to make our home better" which sends a VERY different message. A licensed mental health professional can make other suggestions if the child needs more serious help.

2. If the parents feel that the child is an immediate danger to himself or others, then it may be possible to have him admitted to a mental health facility for evaluation against his will. However, they should not do this lightly and only if they think that there's a serious risk of harm. Otherwise, they could be damaging an already fragile parent-child relationship beyond repair.