He is Smacking His Stepson...

[NC Mom in Indy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

My daughter was very upset and ill when I picked her up this weekend. She appeared to recover in a few hours, but I was concerned that she had the flu. She told me very quietly that her dad had smacked her stepbrother in the head to make him pay attention, and she was upset by this. She has told me about this happening before. It upsets her greatly. There are frequent altercations between dad and stepmom too. What can be done about this?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

My daughter was very upset and ill when I picked her up this weekend. She appeared to recover in a few hours, but I was concerned that she had the flu. She told me very quietly that her dad had smacked her stepbrother in the head to make him pay attention, and she was upset by this. She has told me about this happening before. It upsets her greatly. There are frequent altercations between dad and stepmom too. What can be done about this?

**A: make a report to the police and CPS.

 

[NC Mom in Indy]

**A: make a report to the police and CPS.

I did not witness the abuse. I have not seen the Stepmom or Stepbrother, so do not know if there are bruises.

I am concerned that any report I file with CPS will be construed as a vengeful act and not investigated. I have never reporterd my ex to CPS. I have though about it. I was advised in the past not to get involved.

Can I report what my daughter told me to CPS even if I did not witness the abuse?

 

[Ohiogal]

I did not witness the abuse. I have not seen the Stepmom or Stepbrother, so do not know if there are bruises.

I am concerned that any report I file with CPS will be construed as a vengeful act and not investigated. I have never reporterd my ex to CPS. I have though about it. I was advised in the past not to get involved.

Can I report what my daughter told me to CPS even if I did not witness the abuse?

It may not be abuse at all. You can report it based on what you were told and they may or may not do anything. Have you tried this:
Talk to your ex regarding the fact that his smacking his stepson is upsetting to your daughter and you do not want her being punished physically. Get a conversation going.

 

[NC Mom in Indy]

It may not be abuse at all. You can report it based on what you were told and they may or may not do anything. Have you tried this:
Talk to your ex regarding the fact that his smacking his stepson is upsetting to your daughter and you do not want her being punished physically. Get a conversation going.

Ex's response is that he can discipline "his" kids however he would like. (His Stepson is NOT his kid)

He is also saying that no way will he give me one extra second of time with our daughter. (He doesn't. When he had a job his wife did, becaus eshe didn't want to take care of my daughter.)

My daughter told me that her dad told her he is going to kill me since she told on him for thumping her stepbrother. What am I supposed to do now? Wait for him to show up at my house with a gun?

Seriously, Now what?

What kind of a man tells his child that he is going to kill their mother?

 

[Zigner]

Ex's response is that he can discipline "his" kids however he would like. (His Stepson is NOT his kid)

He is also saying that no way will he give me one extra second of time with our daughter. (He doesn't. When he had a job his wife did, becaus eshe didn't want to take care of my daughter.)

My daughter told me that her dad told her he is going to kill me since she told on him for thumping her stepbrother. What am I supposed to do now? Wait for him to show up at my house with a gun?

Seriously, Now what?

What kind of a man tells his child that he is going to kill their mother?

So, it's "thumping"?

 

[NC Mom in Indy]

So, it's "thumping"?

That is the word my daughter used. She said her dad slaps her stepbrother, flicks him in the face, smacks his ears with both hands, thumps him in the back of the head, and kicks him in the bottom so hard that he rolls across the floor. The little boy's mom doesn't say anything. My daughter's dad hits stepmom too. I think stepbrother is 10.

If my husband ever laid a hand on my daughter he would pay legal consequences! I do not discipline my stepchildren, my husband does that if it is necessary.