I was just told to mind my own business :(

[Dobie]

Some parents are idiots!! The street that I live on can get fairly busy and people use it to avoid the traffic light on the next street over from us - they fly down the road.
I was just looking out my window and saw a little kid, no older then 5, riding his bike with training wheels IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. The bike was obviously to big for him and he was wobbling all over the road. One car slammed on the brakes and almost hit him, and other cars were having to take a wide arc to go around him. I looked around and there was no adult to be found.
So, thinking I was being responsible, I went outside and pushed him onto the sidewalk, then asked where he lived. He was 2 streets away from his house - so, again, thinking I was being responsible - I walked home with him to make sure he didn't go in the street again, then explained to his mother what had happened.

She told me to mind my own business She said that if she needed a total stranger to walk her kid home, she would have knocked on my door and asked me to do it.

What was I supposed to do, just watch him get runover or even worse kidnapped>

[Marilyn]

Dobie, of course, you did the absolute right thing. If you see him again, I'd call the police and tell them what is going on. A child's precious life is at stake, and that parent needs to be more responsible!!!!!!!!!!! Some people can be soooo frustrating!!!!

[Janet]

You DID do the right thing. I can not believe her comment. Marilyn's right. Next time you see him out without parental supervision, call the police. I really feel some people should be 'fixed.'

[Emmsmom]

I think you did the right thing! I would have done the same. I think you should call the police and let them know what happened. A child that age should NOT be playing by themselves 2 streets over! That is just insane! You did the right thing so I wouldn't worry about what this so called "mother" said to you.

[Tink]

Dobie, thanks for trying to help this little guy. You're obviously wiser and more caring than his own Mom. How sad for him. No way a 5 yr old is ready to ride a bike on a street alone!

[Gina]

Dobie you did the right thing, that mother is an idiot. I feel bad for that child she is so lucky that you brought him home.. How can she leave a 5yr old unattended. I don't know what I would do but sure sounds like someone should alert the police or someone. She was lucky this time.. That he was not killed or kidnapped.



PS I hope you got the satisfication in telling her off because man she needs it!!!

[AngieDoogles]

I agree, you definitely did the right thing. You might want to consider calling your state's child protective services, especially if it happens again. They treat neglect cases as seriously as abuse. I'd hate to think that this little boy could be hurt or killed because the mother isn't providing proper supervision. :(

[DianaB]

I think that you did the right thing too, Dobie. Don't let someone's rude comment keep you from feeling that you did the right thing. You saw the danger that her son was in, not the Mother.

[Emmsmom]

I would suggest going to the local Dept of Social Services but they don't always have the children's best interest at heart. Sadly the ones in my area don't do squat! I also have another friend that asked for their help and got nothing but trouble from them. I think calling the police and letting them go over and say something to the family might do more. At least it may scare them really good. Just having gone over may have helped.

[Shada]

The other night at 9:00pm I was driving thru town and saw 2 young children, neither one over 5 probably. In the street. Main street! One was on a skateboard, the other on a bike. I thought about going to the police station which was close, then noticed a police car behind me. I thought for sure he would pull over and do something... he drove right on by. I was furious!! We have a curfew, but regardless, these were little kids alone and on main street with traffic!!! He should have stopped.
I don't understand. Where were the parents?? Why didn't the officer stop?? These kids were way to young to be out at that time of night alone!!!

[AngieDoogles]

I would suggest going to the local Dept of Social Services but they don't always have the children's best interest at heart. Sadly the ones in my area don't do squat! I also have another friend that asked for their help and got nothing but trouble from them. I think calling the police and letting them go over and say something to the family might do more. At least it may scare them really good. Just having gone over may have helped.

This wouldn't be a police matter. They'd just refer DCS.

[AngieDoogles]

The other night at 9:00pm I was driving thru town and saw 2 young children, neither one over 5 probably. In the street. Main street! One was on a skateboard, the other on a bike. I thought about going to the police station which was close, then noticed a police car behind me. I thought for sure he would pull over and do something... he drove right on by. I was furious!! We have a curfew, but regardless, these were little kids alone and on main street with traffic!!! He should have stopped.
I don't understand. Where were the parents?? Why didn't the officer stop?? These kids were way to young to be out at that time of night alone!!!

It's just crazy what some parents allow their children to do... :(

[teri88]

I agree, you definitely did the right thing. You might want to consider calling your state's child protective services, especially if it happens again. They treat neglect cases as seriously as abuse. I'd hate to think that this little boy could be hurt or killed because the mother isn't providing proper supervision. :(


yeah that! I was going to say the same thing. It's a shame that people don't want to get involved today, and when someone goes out of their way to help they get verbally abused like that!

[HALEY]

Don't feel bad you did the right thing! Some parents shouldn't be blessed with children..
Micah is never out of my sight when we go out, anywhere!

[DianaB]

I have a problem with thinking about turning someone into the authorities. If I saw a problem then I would consider it. I'm just not for turning anyone into the authorities. I hate to think that that's what our society is turning into.

[AngieDoogles]

I have a problem with thinking about turning someone into the authorities. If I saw a problem then I would consider it. I'm just not for turning anyone into the authorities. I hate to think that that's what our society is turning into.

For me, I'd hate for something to happen to the child in question and know that I could have at least tried to help.

Maybe it's just my training, but in my opinion, DCS isn't there to punish parents. They exist to see to the well-being of the child. The child's well-being depends on the family's well-being so we do everything we can to improve family functioning so that the child's safety and happiness improves.

[donna1990]

She is a fool, a stranger could have picked him up and he could be gone forever.
You did the right thing, I would have done that also.

[judy]

I heard a quote recently - "What other people think of me is none of my business."

You did what a caring person with good values would do. Her reaction has nothing to do with you. Because she is - drunk, stupid, who knows - doesn't mean you have to go down to her level.

I would call DCS because life is too fragile, especially for a child. He needs you to help him by getting his mother some services.

JMO

[Jo4]

Kudos to you, Dobie. Joanne

[HALEY]

Child care services dont do much in Pa, we have a daycare center around my area which is run by an alcoholic, she drinks all day long taking care of very young children, she was reported numbers of times, i also reported her and nothing was done, what scares the hell out of me is this woman has a pool in her back yard, and i have nightmares of children drowning in this pool.. they should take her lisc. it just makes me mad that they don't close her down! You can see her drinking on the porch falling in her yard, she's an alcoholic !!!

[Emmsmom]

This wouldn't be a police matter. They'd just refer DCS.

Actually, that would be up to the police to decide. I know for a fact that they don't always call DSS. Even tho that is the correct procedure to follow it is not always done.

[Emmsmom]

For me, I'd hate for something to happen to the child in question and know that I could have at least tried to help.

Maybe it's just my training, but in my opinion, DCS isn't there to punish parents. They exist to see to the well-being of the child. The child's well-being depends on the family's well-being so we do everything we can to improve family functioning so that the child's safety and happiness improves.



That would be great if it were true. I know of a family right now that is going through hell because of DSS. The children are being sexually abused and have been physically abused by the father and because of DSS he is still allowed to see them. For the life of me I can't understand it. The children have been examined by doctors and bruises have been documented. There is much more to this that I am willing to put out there. The mom turned to the cops first who did NOTHING. She then turned to DSS who did nothing. So needless to say I don't think very highly of DSS. It is a joke to me and is doing nothing more than punishing these children who by the way are 6,10, and 14.

[AngieDoogles]

Actually, that would be up to the police to decide. I know for a fact that they don't always call DSS. Even tho that is the correct procedure to follow it is not always done.

It is done here.

[AngieDoogles]

That would be great if it were true. I know of a family right now that is going through hell because of DSS. The children are being sexually abused and have been physically abused by the father and because of DSS he is still allowed to see them. For the life of me I can't understand it. The children have been examined by doctors and bruises have been documented. There is much more to this that I am willing to put out there. The mom turned to the cops first who did NOTHING. She then turned to DSS who did nothing. So needless to say I don't think very highly of DSS. It is a joke to me and is doing nothing more than punishing these children who by the way are 6,10, and 14.

Maybe Virginia doesn't have a very good system. That's something that could be changed if enough people wrote to legislators and officials...

[Emmsmom]

Sadly I don't think it will be that easy... I also know that this problem doesn't just plague Virginia.

I also think that if you were a fly on the wall when the Police get these calls you would see that do as they please.

[AngieDoogles]

Sadly I don't think it will be that easy... I also know that this problem doesn't just plague Virginia.

You never know unless you try. Something this important, I would at least try...

[Emmsmom]

Well as soon as this is all said and done the family plans on going to the media. Right now there are too many court hearings coming up and she doesn't have any time to think of anything else. Actually they are in the process of trying to sue DSS. So maybe later the media can help.