Should I plug the plug...Is this child neglect...Can I get into trouble?

Wicked Good

You can get into a lot of trouble running your power over there, not to mention you are violating building codes as well. You are risking your good standing with the electric company and could be fined in addition to city code violations. Running power to them on an electrical cord is a big city code violation and for good reason it can be very hazardous. Even though you are paying for the power the electric company and the city do not want you violating code.

Tell them you can't allow it anymore they need to make arrangements within 48 hours. You don't have to give them that long, but I would because of the children.

No heat is child neglect, if the lights go out after your notice and they don't have them turned back on I would contact cps they can investigate and see if there is something more going on. I doubt no power is the only thing these kids are going through.

You've been very caring and generous I applaud you for that, it's a shame there are people who take advantage like this. It breaks my heart to think about how many children go through more things we can possibly imagine on a daily basis.

happy heathen

Your compassin is admirable, but, unfortunately, these people will continue to sponge off you for as long as you allow it to continue. They can go to any number of charity organizations in your area and request emergency assistance to get their power bill paid and have service restored, and are also likely eligible for some sort of public assistance given there are children in the home. You can give them a deadline (soon, unless you are wealthy and don't mind paying a double power bill next month), and also give them a list of help organizations in the area that they can go to and/or call for emergency assistance (start by looking in the phone book under "charities", like the Salvation Army). If you feel that the children are at risk, call the Department of Children & Families (DCF) or whatever the agency is called where you live, and request that a caseworker look into the matter. Explain that you are concerned and have done as much as you feel is reasonable to help these people out, but can do no more. You have already done far more than most people would, so don't feel guilty. The help is out there - but these people need to seek it for themselves.

I have no idea if you can get into any trouble for helping them out. I don't think the power utility gives a rat's @ss, as long as you pay your soon-to-be escalated bill.

Having no heat may be considered neglect, but that is up to DCF to determine. More likely they will be questioned about the number of non-working individuals in the home (as well they should be). There is a fine line between being a good samaritan and being a doormat - and you are about to cross over it.

upforitupforitupforitupforitru

Yes you can get in trouble.If a electrical fire should happen in their home you may find you are responsible for providing power to the home.You have no way to find out if the wiring they are usind is safe.If they are heating their home or a portion of thier home from a cord run from your home you may be overloading your own circuits.I advise pull the plug.You could be saving your home or yourlives from a fire.Call local police tell them about situation with cituation with children.

ISH

No The electric company will bill you for there usage, that's it so if you don't mind paying, then don't worry about it

Call Children's Services and report them for living in an unfit unit....before you pull the plug.

cyanne2ak

As long as you pay the bill, you can't get in trouble for running an extension cord to them. However, yes it IS child neglect, and in many states it is also abuse. You should report this to both your area Police and also to your local Department of Human Resources/Child Welfare office.

LEXUS8133

I don't know if you can get in trouble but if the family goes to the electric company their is a hardship scholarship that they will not turn off the power if their are overwhelming health issues. Besides how much are you going to be paying for their electricity.

â™¥â™«Â§weetTartÂ§amanthaâ™«â™¥

i would call child protective services and get that taken care of you are not resposible for any of them get those children into a good home until the parents can provide it for them.....i know its hard to rip a child from its family but if its in the best interest of the children it needs to be done.....you may get into trouble and they may get into worse because it looks like they are stealing it

michelle b

You are very kind and I just want to say thank you for not letting those kids freeze, I don't think that you can get in trouble for that but there are programs that will help them pay their bill, they need to contact the city and they will direct them, it is like emergency assistance. Or they can go to a church and get assistance , but I really didn't think that they could turn off the heat with kids in the house... anyways I would talk to them and ask how long it is going to be cause that could end up costing you alot of money! That is what I would do, Good luck and don't let them take advantage of you k,, even if you are so kind hart ed.. oh and if they don't want to hear what you have to say about the assistance n stuff, then u bet my *** I would call child protective services! Thanks! :)

Jadis

It's not YOUR responsibility to take care of her kids. I'd turn her in to child services.

It always ticks me off to hear about people who don't take care of their kids. GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Jamie R

Their children are not yours to support. It is not your fault that no one works except for the old man. You have been generous in letting them have power from your home and you have already set th edeadline. You need to stick to this or I have a feeling this will NEVER end. You have your own family to support and this is costing you money too.

chloe

Pull the plug and call child welfare, what else can you do? you could warn them you are cutting them off,
but they should be allowed a week to get power, after that, they need to be reported.

Katie

Yes....no heat in the winter is child neglect- I would call child protective services. The children deserve a better living situation.

No it isn't illegal to run power to their home because you will end up paying for the power bill based on how much they use. They are using you because they don't want to work....if it was cable it would be illegal because you pay one flat fee per month and by giving them cable you are "stealing" form the cable company. Power is different, though, because you pay depending on how much you use.---- Just expect a HIGH heat bill this month- and bet your bottom dollar that you won't get any help froom them in paying it.

Joannie W

Oh yeah, you can get into trouble for that.. BUT.. i thought it was a law that they could not shut off heat to a house with babies???? i may be completely wrong, but you are in fact allowing someone to steal power.
you are good hearted, maybe suggest they go to a local church to see about assistance. and if they have able people that CAN work, why should YOUR bill be higher because of their laziness????

cdm0014

tell the landlord that they werent stealing...dont let the kids freeze

SABIO

These people are using you!
PULL THE PLUG!!!
They are responsible for their children, not you.
You tried to be a good neighbor - a week is to long.
As long as you are paying the bill, they won't do anything.
They can't sue you for not supplying their power. Will they
pay you when you get your bill?
Call the power co. and see what they say about you
supplying power to these people.
The Landlord told you they have committed a crime - stealing
electricity - is a crime.
How old are the so called "Children"? You said there all healthy
and able to work - but they are not. I don't know if childrens aid
will be able to help - if these "Children" are old enough to work.
I assume the old man (76) is the father, the children must be
a bit older than just being Kids and going to school.

mdboomskwad.mc4u

I do not think you could get in trouble but you should go over and have a talk with them and let them know that this is going to be a high bill, can they contribute to it or maybe you could be a nice neighbor and try to help them get the lights and heat back on. Maybe you could go pay some of the money directly to the power company if you can afford it. FOR THE CHILDRENS SAKE! There are organizations that will help them pay the bill like salvation army,

morgbert

I don't think you can get in trouble for giving them power, but I also think that as long as you say nothing they will continue to sponge off you. You should give them a time limit and then pull the plug. If you are concerned about the children call the children's welfare office, who can check on them.

Devil Dog '73

If you are the one paying the power bill, then I don't think you can get into trouble. If you buy a product then give it away as a gift, then that's your right. I don't think you could ask them for money, though, because you don't have a permit to 'resell' electricity.
As far as the child neglect portion, you are not the one responsible for the child's welfare. However, in your situation, I would probably only allow them access to your power at specific hours of the day, or if the weather forecast is for below a certain temperature. Letting them leech off of you indefinitely will only cause other problems. And you need to set a cut off date, no ifs, ands or buts. Do some research and find out if there are assistance programs in your area that could help these people, and pass that information along to them.

crazyromo

i'd say go in their home and beat the crap out of the healthy ones who won't work OR tell the old man that you won't let him use your power unless he makes his lazy brats get a job.

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