jmc@riccb.UUCP (Jeff McQuinn ) (08/26/85)
I have a question concerning a problem that a lot of you may have faced.
I live in a neighborhood where it seems almost normal for people to neglect
their kids. We have one family where niether parent is ever seen (except
very late at night). Their 9 year old is sat for by another families 11
year old girl. Her parents are rarely seen either, and she frequently has
to sit for her 5 year old brother and two babies. (In addition to the 11
year old neighbor boy). Still another family has an 8 year old boy who's
watched by a teenage sister and she doesn't have time for anything but her
friends. Needless to say we end up with a lot of trouble. The police have
been by three times at one house. These kids never seem to get punished
for anything.
Does anyone think the proper authorities should be informed of possible child
neglect? I'm not sure I could do that. Could anyone suggest a way to
inform these parents that they are guilty of child abuse (through neglect).
School starts soon so MY problems will go away until spring, but I can't
help wondering what these kids will grow up like.
Jeff McQuinn just VAXing aroundsed408@ihlpg.UUCP (s. dugan) (08/26/85)
> > (discription of neglected kids in the neighborhood) > > > Does anyone think the proper authorities should be informed of possible child > neglect? I'm not sure I could do that. Could anyone suggest a way to > inform these parents that they are guilty of child abuse (through neglect). > School starts soon so MY problems will go away until spring, but I can't > help wondering what these kids will grow up like. > > Jeff McQuinn just VAXing around PLEASE, by all means, allert the athorities. Wouldn't you rather be wrong about your suspicions than have those kids suffer because you were too embarrassed? Also, if these kids are getting into trouble, it will get worse as they get older and they may harm your property or, worse yet, your children. Open advise to everyone: If you have any suspicions about child abuse and/or neglect, please contact the authorities! Children are not in the position to defend themselves. They need us (thinking, caring human beings) to help look out for them when their parents are too dumb/scared/sick to do it themselves. Maybe then we won't have to read so many hideous stories about children being raped/burned/scarred because their parents are the ones who need help. [End of tirade] -- Sarah E. Dugan "Easy Does It, But *DO* It" ########################################################################### # AT&T Bell Labs IH 1D-408 The Forest (home) # # Naperville-Wheaton Rd. 1353 Crab Apple Court Apt. 101 # # Naperville, Illinois 60566 Naperville, Illinois 60540 # # (312) 979 - 5545 (312) 355 - 0445 # ###########################################################################
pking@uiucuxc.Uiuc.ARPA (08/27/85)
In some states there are laws regarding at what age you can leave a child alone, I think it's some where around 11 or 12. In Illinois there is an 800 number to call to report child neglect, I don't know if it's true every where or not. I would think if the police have been by several times the proper child welfare agencies were also contacted. I would also think the only area where the agencies might interfer is in the case of the SMALL childern, but I could be wrong, and for your sake I sincerely hope so.
rwh@aesat.UUCP (Russ Herman) (08/29/85)
In Ontario, this situation is a clear violation of child welfare laws. There
are minimum ages at which a child can be 1) left to supervise another child,
and 2) left alone without supervision. These ages are either 12 and 10 or
14 and 12 respectively: I'm not sure which. Call your local children's aid
to find out if your state has similar laws, and let them know about the
situation. They WILL treat your report confidentially.
--
______ Russ Herman
/ \ {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!rwh
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( || ) The opinions above are strictly personal, and
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\____/ possibly myself an hour from now.)