Should I report my neighbor? She is a single lady in her late 40's that has 5 foster adoptive children.?

anastasia beaverhausen-the real1

i would trust my gut.

do not warn her. let SS come and see. they will judge.

LaurieDB

If you suspect abuse/neglect, you should call the Department of Children's and Family Services, Department of Social/Human Services (or whatever it is called in your area) and let them know what you are seeing. Children need to be protected. It's better to err on the side of caution.

It probably wouldn't hurt to have somebody check the situation out.

If the children are coming to you and others, then it seems like a cry for help. I would probably make a phone call so they will get someone out there to check there living conditions! What child should have to live like that. I know I would never have mine or anyone elses children sharing a twin size bed! Make that call!

Good Luck!

Andraya

If you even think you should report her then do it. If nothing is going on then her and the social worker can have a good laugh over coffee about the new nosy neighbors. People only have a reason to fear child welfare when they are doing something wrong, or if they are single teen moms with healthy white infants.

AdoreHim

I would definitely have a social worker go and check it out- it worries me a bit too. Especially when the children have come to you.

babybluebird1988

if you feel the need you would contact child protective services and you can search for them on the internet now, most likely through your states website.
but I think a lot of foster parents are in it for the money and treat the kids like crap!

tish

if the children have come to you and expressed their issues, then make a report. also, you must be careful about reporting. things might not always look like what they appear.

but, i would really try to stick to the issues (the children reported not being able to eat, the children reported sleeping on the floor)...
her financial issues and home ownership are irrelevant.

opedial

Who knows what is really going on and only if you report it can you then have done your duty as a citizen. It may not be as it seems but just in case.....

OH and the five children in two rooms, that can be standard ni foster care because they ahve to overload the homes because not enough people stepping up to help. But beds are needed yes absolutely.

Chelsea L

Yes call human services..Plus Human services usually takes away the children when the foster parents move to a new town to give them time to get settled...I dont think your over reacting at all just call human services tell them her full name the address and tell them whats going on its not a crime to say something or be worried

Teardrop

i think u should
its probably anoying to bother's sumones business but its a life of a person
they cant just watch others eat 4 their punishment
even if i have kids , and want 2 give them punishments i would never do that
its like , 4 me , its only bcuz its not her child she shouldnt mistreat them
its very sad

Rainia W

I would report it... if you are making a big deal out of nothing, then social services won't take the kids away. If there is something to be done, then hopefully social services will do something.

It is wierd... where I live foster kids HAVE to have their own bedrooms. There isn't allowed to be any sharing of bedrooms.

Loulou 13

It won't hurt to report it. Foster parents should have house checks frequently anyways.

koilop2001

Denying a child food and beds aren't right i wouldn't confront the lady because you don't need enemy's but contact a social services or a local police officer to check up on them to make sure. Good Intentions

Mommy to GAIB!!!

i would call you department of childrens services and have someone check it out... if you are wrong, then good. but if you are right, then you will saving 5 children and possibly anyother child she tries to get. do what your heart wants you to do... your intuition is probably right.

Wundt

Generally, I would say make sure there is cause for concern before you make a report. Just because someone is a profesional foster parent does not mean they are bad. There is a real shortage of foster parents and they live in constant 'fear' that they will be reported or cited for minor problems.

However, you report several things that ARE of concern and you should certainly give CPS a call. It is always better to take action now then regret things later on. For one thing, when we were certified, there were very strict rules on sleeping arrangements for foster children, and having kids sleep on the floor or share a bed was certainly against the rules. There are also rules about using food as punishment (though, the 'treat' of eating out was the punishment, so this might not be viewed as a problem).

You should see if you can get the names of the caseworker(s) for the kids and contact the casework(s) directly. This is likely going to get more immediate attention and action than just calling CPS in general. Also, when you talk to the caseworkers, see if you can get their supervisor's name as well just in case nothing happens with the investigation.

Ok as someone who is about to be a foster parent here is a few things. One the money you get is not that much If you take care of the kids correctly you loose money. With that said some of the things you said are a violations and some aren't and some should of been caught by the social work. In my opinion this is what you should report and why.
Not working is not reportabel they know that already. sharing a room is not agaisnt regulations but sleeping on the floor is. The Social worker may know because of what you said about leaving the house empty my guess is she is the one that made them move the furniture over or she did it befoe the social worker came for their visit. Sharing a bed is a BIG NO NO . Every child must have a bed and it can't be a sofa bed, cot or daybed must have thier own bed. She may have one for when the worker comes but that is a reportabel. The food thing is harsh, I would never do it even with my own kids but you aren't allowed to spank foster kids and since whe fed them when she got home that is not abuse or neglect it is her form of parenting. If she did not feed them at all that would be reportabel.
She sounds horribel but it also looks like she is on the border of the law. Just doing enough not to get caught. I would make a call and report all your concerns even the ones i said are not offense. Why? because that will make them watch her more closeley. Also the social worker for the kids will make more frequent visits. This will make her clean up her act.

HappyMomAnna

There is never anything wrong with making a Concern Report to CPS..... these are important if later there is a problem and they look over the reports and find records of concern...

Usually, CPS will not jump in--at most the caseworkers will be contacted and the mother checked---as she should be routinely.....

The fact there are two households bothers me---Are we sure there hasn't been some big change in the family ???

I would just make a report--people should not feel so worried--about letting the state know when they see something fishy!

sapphirarainxx

Make the call and let social services make the decision.

tinkerbell11599

The children need to be protected. Call if you haven't done so already at least to have Child Protective Services check up on the situation.

Jen

It's Me!!!

Denying a child the necessities of life "food" is a form a child abuse. You should probably report it. It doesn't hurt to make a call, you could be saving a child's life. What she is doing is unacceptable. Children need their own beds, even if they share a room.

Sophie

If there is ANY concern, you could call the social worker (SW)and be anonyomus. I'd report all the information you have and let the SW decide.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the boys/girls bedroom situations you mention... but the sleeping on the floor part is probably against the rules/law... along with the no food part. That's just horrible.

luv4quiltin

Do you personally know this family? I say think before you report...you may just be causing undue problems...They don't let just anyone foster...and what is to say 2 bedrooms is not enough? Way back when before the homes were "mansions" children always shared rooms....

e e

Unless you have actually seen the bed situation yourself, don't assume. These kids are probably better off there than
in their previous situations. Most states have laws regarding
foster kids and bed sharing, room sharing. Make a phone call and let the social services do their job. As far as going out to eat and having to watch everyone else eat.......sounds
mean. Did the child happen to tell what this punishment was for?

Danielle M

These kids aren't being physically abused so why would you report her and have them bounced around to other foster homes? As for her punishments, are you going to go around reporting every parent you disagree with? Its great that you are looking out for the well being of these children but they have a home to live in, and they aren't being abused. It would probably do them more harm to be ripped out of the home of a woman they've been with for so long. Think of the consequences of your actions.

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