When, Why and How to Report Someone to Family Services
Child Abuse, Child Neglect and Welfare Fraud Are a Few Reasons to Make that Call
The second time I called Family Services was over child endangerment. The single mom down the street was leaving her little boy home alone with no supervision all summer long from 7am to 6pm, while she was at work. The boy was only 8 years old. Other kids from the neighborhood were coming over, climbing the tree in the front yard and doing who knows what inside the house. The thought of them cooking something on the stove, lighting candles or getting into a liquor cabinet or household cleaners was scaring me to death. To make matters worse, there's several sexual predators living in the neighborhood, the closest living 8 houses down. My next door neighbor talked to the mom and she told her that her son didn't "want a babysitter". Everyone was afraid for the kid and wondered why his mom didn't see the danger--but no one wanted to make the call. I finally had enough when I saw one of his friends fall out of the tree. Family Services investigated and I am happy to report that she still has custody and is no longer leaving him unattended.
If you know of welfare fraud or children being abused or endangered, don't be afraid to call Family Services in your County. I don't know about all states, but In Ohio they ask if you want to make an anonymous report. You don't need to give your name or number, but you do need to be willing to give as much information as you can. They will ask things like name and address of the person you are reporting, dates of incidents you are aware of and other specific information. When I reported the welfare fraud, my ex gave me her full name, date of birth, social security number, the address where she was supposed to be living and her children's names. I reported the case anonymously. The time I called on child endangerment, I gave my name and number (after being assured that it would not be shared with the single mom and would only be used to call me back in the case of needing more info).
The bottom line here is that even though most people take the attitude that you should "mind your own business," there are times when you can't. I don't regret calling either time. In the first case, I saved taxpayer dollars. In the second case I saved a little boy from injury or death--and that's something I can definitely live with.
Published by Pikie Melago
Retired from AT&T since December, 2000. I'm just a product of the 60's (can I say greaser/hippie????) with 12 years of Catholic school (talk about confused) and a zest for life. View profile
- Privatizing Texas Social ServicesWith Texas already struggling to avoid budget deficits, many legislators and voters are questioning whether certain government services can be better handled in the private sector. Social services such as foster care...
- How to Report Child Abuse on a Friend or Family MemberReporting child abuse is hard. Reporting child abuse when someone you know and care about is the perpetrator is much, much harder.
- Falsely Accused? - How to Deal with Child Protection ServicesHaving CPS show up at your door without warning is unnerving and frightening. How you behave may very well determine the outcome of the visit. Here are some things you should never do if this happens to you.
How to Spot Elder Abuse in Your Senior Friend or Family Member When you think of Senior Abuse your first thought is probably a lonely lady sitting in a decrepit nursing home room, with bruises on her face right? Although that could happen,...
How to Convince the World The Future is in DangerThings like the SUV obsession in the United States are putting our care for the earth's environment in reverse. When is it going to be too late to change? Tapping the emotions o...
- How to Recognize and Report Child Abuse
- What Can You Do with a Degree in Family Services?
- No Government Help: Jobs and Family Services
- An Overview of State Child Abuse and Neglect Registries
- Nadya Suleman: Radio Psychiatrist Files Complaint with Child Services
- Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills and Providing Food for Your Family
- The Selfishness of the Division of Youth and Family Services Destroys Families
19 Comments
Post a CommentExcellent and sage advice, But like Melissa Lawson down there rightly stated, these people often pick and choose who to go after (in my experiences, Family Services seems a tad scared of the more violent parents, but will gladly take the kids out of a safe, loving home for missing too much school, just to look like they're "doing their job". Drug offenders are often 'handled' the same way!) Often, Fam. Serv. doesn't do their job when they're neede the most, but when it comes to the lesser infractions, they just LOVE going after goldfish with a cannon. But, like you said, that ain't NO EXCUSE for not trying anyway!
Doesn't always work. I had a family I had to call social services on, repeatedly. I had actually WITNESSED the physical abuse of the two-year-old boy. They were slapping him, to "make him mean like a dog, so he would be a bully". And pinching him hard, to cause pain. But if he cried, he got spanked. He learned, by the age of three, to bite his tongue when their hitting and pinching hurt, and LAUGH about it. Every time I called these things in, a social worker would show up to check it out. All of their family banded together to "prove" there was no abuse. I was told, after the 10th time I called this in--when that little boy turned 6--that, if I made one more call, I'd be sued for fraudulent calls. At the age of 6, this little boy was already being sent home from school for starting fights and beating up the preschoolers. He'd learned to be violent, and the State never helped him. It's now been another 6 years since I've seen this kid or that family. I cringe when I imagine what he may
It takes a village...ghowever I will say that Child Services were called on my Mom, twice and unjustly, and all it was was a big old headache for my family. The person reporting had no business doing so,, but took it upon herself as a 'concerned citizen'. however, if there is a direct threat to a child and you know about it, ALWAYS report it.
children are everyone's responsibility, good article!
I've known a few people that really abused the system and would call and report people / make false claims. This was a great piece!
This is a very tough topic. I am glad that it had a happy ending.
This is a very tough topic. I am glad that it had happy ending.
very nice :)
I agree. You were right to call Family Services on the single mom with the 8-year-old boy. Something terrible could have happened and you wouldn't have forgiven yourself if it did and you did nothing to prevent.
This is a tough topic but I think you made some very valid points.