Child Neglect

OK, I have to vent about this!!
Most of you know I am a police officer. This is not the first time I have gone to a call and found this situation, but now that Iam a new mom, it almost sent me over the edge.
I went to a call yesterday, my second day back on the streets, for a fight between female cousins. When we got there, we found four VERY VERY VERY drunk adults, andthis was 9:30 in the morning! We difussed the situation and found out nothign really happened other than a bunch of yelling. As I was there assessing the situation, I saw there were two kids, a one year old girl and a three year old boy. Neither of them had clothes on and were dirty beyond belief. The apartment was a sty, smeled like urine and alcohol. The kids had one stained ripped mattress on the floor to sleep on. I checked the fridge and cupboards.....the ONLY thing to eat was a half bag of Cheetos. I am NOT kiding! The three year-old came out of the back room holding a broken lightbulb as a toy! I could go on and on about the condition of this place!! Now, I understand not everyone has the money or the ability to live like the Kennedy's...BUT and this is a BIG one! The mother had FOUR new cell phones...a big screen TV, and with her pushing past 250 lbs, it did not look like she had missed too many meals. When I asked her why there was no food in the house, she told me her food stamps ran out. YET!!! There were at least 7 empty cases of beer and too many bottles of vodka lying around to count!
Needless to say I called Office of Children Services. While waiting for them, I had the officer I went o the call with fo to my car and get my lunch pack. I fed those kids everything I had in there and they acted like the had not eaten in weeks. All the while I was there and while OCS were there taking her kids away, she was blubbering about how her kids were the world to her and she was a good mother!
I know this won't be the last time I am in this situation and have seen it many many times before. My outrage is the same as it was before I was a mother, but this time it felt like a little bit of my heart was ripped apart.

Sorry this was so long...but had to talk about it....I came home last night and hugged up my boys and said a prayer for all of those kids who are suffering. Talk about healing powers...cuddling and laughing with my guys was like a magic potion! :wub:

 

that just breaks my heart and makes me so mad at the same time. What kills me is how many friends I have -- well educated, well employed, loving people -- who CAN'T have children . . . it makes me so sad that they will never be parents and meanwhile there are parents out there treating their children like that.

And yes, I do get more upset about these things since having my babies. Good for you for doing what you could to feed those two poor kids and to call people who will hopefully make sure they don't have to keep living like that.

 

You did a good thing!! That Mother did not deserve to have her children around! That makes me sooooooo angry!!

 

That is just disgusting!
I'm so glad there are people like you out there taking care of us kids like that. I had a client who was a police officer and I could NOT believe some of the crap she had to deal with on a daily basis!

I still believe good people outnumber the bad, and you are the proof!

 

I'm sure it was hard dealing with these situations before having children, but after having them, it's probably 1000 times harder. I know the news stories affect me so much more. I'm glad you were there to help those children, how sad.

 

That is heartbreaking! It's hard to believe that people can be so selfish and stupid. I don't envy you your job having to deal with losers like that, but I sure am glad that there are people out there like you helping defenseless children.

 

QUOTE(Snittens @ Aug 3 2007, 08:49 PM) [snapback]356720[/snapback]
I'm sure it was hard dealing with these situations before having children, but after having them, it's probably 1000 times harder. I know the news stories affect me so much more. I'm glad you were there to help those children, how sad.



I agree - now I really understand the pain of children and the love of all children I have now that I am a mother. Your story makes my heart ache. That is so very sad. It sounds like they are addicts - which is a terrible disease that ruins lives. Thank you for doing what you do - you are a hero.

I am so sad. What ever happened?

 

how sad and for her to actually think she is a good mother?? :angry: !!! I wonder what her idea of a "bad" mother is??
thanks for helping those babies!!

 

How awful! I can't believe how some children are treated! It's simply unacceptable and cruel.

My hat is off to you for what you do day in and day out. It's not an easy profession. Here's to you! :hi:

 

I know it happens too often and you are AMAZING for standing up for those defenseless children.

 

thats horrible, i dont understand how a mother could do that. god bless you for helping those kids!

 

Oh, Lisa that is awful! I have tears in my eyes just envisioning those children. Oh my gosh. I agree with pp, I know people who can't GET pregnant, and here this woman is neglecting two beautiful children. Sad and very disgusting.

 

Thanks to everyone for the support...I am feeling the love :wub: I called my friend with OCS and the kids have been placed in a temp foster home. I am not sure what is in store for them or their mother, but hopefully she will be able to get some help for her alcohol problem and some parenting classes.

 

thats awful! that is so good that you called and had them taken, too many times it over looked!

 

Too many people look the other way because they don't want the hassle. I applaud you. In your field you are much more likely to come upon this situation than most individuals, but I worked in a school for many years. You'd be surprised at the number of teachers and counselors who might have suspected something amiss with their students but chose to look the other way for fear of being mistaken. I am so proud of my youngest daughter. She teachers in a "transformation" school in an inner city where the majority of the students are from low income housing and projects. She'll go up against a mother or father any day of the week when she suspects one of her students is being abused and neglected. She is 25 years old and never hesitates to call CPS. She has provided food, clothing and most of all love that many of these students never receive at home. I am proud of her and I am proud of you. Someone must accept the responsibility and make sure these little ones receive the care and love they deserve. Good for You!

 

How awful! You did the right thing. I get the chills when I hear stories like that.

 

That stinks.

PM me anytime if you want to vent about stuff like that.

I am a high risk pregnancy and pedicatric dietitian. I work for the state of Michigan - most of my clients are VERY POOR. I see about half of my clients in their home. I have seen some wonderful parents out there who do their best with what they have. Those kids usually don't go hungry - those parents do. Their houses are spotless - not nice but clean.

Then there are the others. The ones who come to may office begging for formula for their baby (these people never breastfeed!) while they have their Wendy's drink in hand and a pack of ciggies in their pocket while talking on their new bling cell phone (I don't even have a cell phone). I went on one home visit where the trailer was just one big heap of trash with holes in the floor. The one year old was crawling in this (and it was just trash everywhere). She was filthy and I don't know when she had eaten last. In that visit the parents where showing me the new, pure bread puppy that they spent hundreds of dollars on. I just don't get it.

It won't be the last time you see it - but it sure does make you thankful you are not 1. poor and 2. raised to believe that is the way you live. I just feel so bad for the kids. Hopefully things will be better for them in foster care.

Angel

 

It makes you wonder why people like that can have children, while there are so many good people around that can't. I don't know how you do it, without loosing your cool!!

 

That's just awful! It's awesome that you were able to DO something about it!!! I hope those poor little things find a good, loving foster home. That's so tragic.