I know this isn't a custody issue...

[CJane]

What is the name of your state? KS in this case

But, I'm unclear where to post this.

My little sister is a mandated reporter... something she takes VERY seriously (which is why I know I don't neglect my kids - she'd turn me in in a heartbeat if she thought I did).

Both her and her next door neighbor have 9 year old boys. The other night, the neigbor's son knocked on Sis's door at around 8pm and said he was home alone and scared and could he please use Sis's phone to call his Mom? Of course, Sis let him.

Mom didn't answer.
Sis sent a text message, explaining that the child was at her house and asking Mom to call.
No response.
At 8:30, my sister's kid went to bed and the other boy laid down on the couch.
At 9, neighbor boy asked if he could go home because Mom was due home at 930.
Sis walked him home, made sure he locked the door, etc. Told him if he got scared to come back over.
At 10, boy comes back and asks if he can just sleep over.
Sis says yes, calls Mom. No answer. Texts Mom. No answer. Leaves note on Mom's front door.
At 1030, Mom calls Sis and asks her to wake the boy up and let her talk to him. She proceeds to try and convince him to go home, at which point Sis interrupts the conversation and says at this point she's not comfortable sending the kid home w/out an adult there, and when Mom gets home she should stop by.
At 1, Mom texts that she's home and will get boy in the morning.
At 3, boy wakes up with stomach pain and Sis calls Mom.
Mom comes and picks up boy, showing great concern.

So... the dilemma. Sis really feels as if she should make a report, but she doesn't want The Boy to lose her as a safe spot if Mom gets pissed and tells him to not go over there anymore.

What should she do?

 

[seniorjudge]

So... the dilemma. Sis really feels as if she should make a report, but she doesn't want The Boy to lose her as a safe spot if Mom gets pissed and tells him to not go over there anymore.

I would have sis talk to whoever it is that she must report this to.

I am not familiar with the Kansas law, but there has to be some means of preserving safe spots.

 

[CourtClerk]

Report it...

She has to.

 

[fairisfair]

the law says report it.

the lawbreaker in me says talk to the neighbor. Who knows better than some of the people on this board the sheer overwhelmingness of being a single parent? I am certainly not even attempting to jusify leaving a 9 year old home alone at frigging 10 at night, that is for sure . . . . . but. . . . .

Maybe an offer of a free babysitter on an occasional basis would prevent this ever happening again, and would keep little Billy both home where he should be and with a safe place to run to as well. And knowing that a mandated reporter is next door watching should make Mom sit up a little straighter as well.

And if it ever happened again, I would break my neck getting to the phone.

 

[Just Blue]

She, by law as a mandated reporter, must report. If she doesn't SHE is breaking the law.

Otherwise I would totally agree with fair...

 

[lealea1005]

Being a mandated rerporter myself, I can understand your sister's hesitation, especially given the circumstances. However, I agree, she must report it.

The child's Mother will only be guessing it was your sister. There could have been another neighbor who saw the child out at 10pm, and was concerned enough to call CPS.

 

[Just Blue]

Last edited by lealea1005 : Today at 01:22 PM. Reason: attack of the commas

ROTFLMBO!!

 

[proud_parent]

the law says report it.

the lawbreaker in me says talk to the neighbor.

The pragmatist in me says do both.

Sis must report. She may then approach her neighbor in the manner fair suggests. And although I never advocate lying, I'm not above suggesting that Sis play ignorant (or gracefully change the subject) when neighbor grumbles over who turned her in.

 

[Just Blue]

CJ...Did you sister ever find out what kept Mom from calling before 10;30?? Where was she?

I just curious...

 

[Ohiogal]

Report it anonymously and then talk to the neighbor regarding keeping an eye on little Billy for her if the mother needs to be away at night. Maybe as a contact in case Little Billy is home and gets scared, or feels sick, or lonely or hungry or what not.

 

[CJane]

CJ...Did you sister ever find out what kept Mom from calling before 10;30?? Where was she?

I just curious...

Little Billy said she was at her BF's house watching movies. Sis thinks she was at a bar. Not that it matters. She didn't get home til after 1am!

Sis HAS talked to Mom about keeping little Billy any ol' time Mom wants her to. She adores this kid. Mom chooses to leave him home alone instead.

Also... the whole 'struggling single mom' thing isn't likely to play well with my Single 32 year old sister who has a 9 year old w/essentially no father at all, a very demanding job and active social life and still manages not to leave her kid unattended until dawn.