fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3148 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3148 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

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02.

[Steven Universe]

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03.

[Et Cetera]

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04.

[Gravity Falls]

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[Xenosaga]

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[Anastasia]

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(Amazing Spiderman reboot)

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08.

[999]

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09.

[Adam Hills, comedian]

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[Ar Tonelico]

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So earlier this evening (I'm in Europe), at around a quarter to eleven, I got off the bus on my way home from work. I'm currently house + dog sitting and as the dog had been home alone for a bit too long while I was at work I had to hurry home. So as I'm hurrying down the street I heard a child cry, like distressed crying, from a house across the street. It's a boy, around 5-6 years old or so, standing outside a house bawling so hard I hear it even with fairly loud music on. While I did wonder whether I should stop and ask if he was fine or call the police or whatever, I'm honestly ashamed to say that I panicked and continued on my way home (I justified this to myself that I had to get home to the dog), hearing the child the rest of the way (about 100-150 meters away around a corner and down another street. I estimate my house and his would be about 50 or so meters apart if I could draw a diagonal line between them).

As I get home I'm in and out in less than five minutes, basically just getting the dog on a leash and then straight back out. When I got out I could no longer hear the boy crying, but I walk to the end of the street just to be more certain. I'm ashamed to say that I was still panicking about what I should do and couldn't bring myself to go all the way over to his house to see if he was still there. I then walk to the other end of the street and then back again to check if I can hear him cry, but I can't so I return home. I get back and I call my mother to hear what she thinks I should do, as I am panicking. I break down crying myself, wondering whether or not I should call the Police or something. She just tells me to do what feels right. It's about ten past eleven when I hang up. During the call I'm out on the patio, where I should have been able to hear the kid if he was still crying as hard as he was when I walked by. I can't hear anything.

So what I do is find the number to the local police and find the exact address on Google Maps while I collect myself (as I would have been unable to call in the state I was done with the call to my mother). I then take the dog and go out again, this time getting even closer. I still can't hear anything, but I'm still panicking a bit as I feel like I have no idea how I should act, so I go back a little bit and try to just get my act together and see if the kid is there. By this time it must be around half past eleven, so nearly an hour after I got off the bus. In the end I finally get myself together and I don't see him outside, though for all I know he might have gone to the other side of the house or something. I saw that the TV was on in the house though when I walked by, so someone was home at least, but I think it was on the first time I passed as well...

What I'm thinking is what should I do next? The thing is, I've seen this kid before. The last time I watched over this dog I saw the kid standing in the window at night, just looking out. I remember thinking back then that I thought it was irresponsible to let such a little kid be up that late, but nothing more as kids can have different bedtimes and who was I to judge. It was enough to for it to stand out to me though, and makes me even more concerned. I think I will call child protective services in the morning, because better safe than sorry right? Or do you think this is an overreaction? Honestly feel I should have done something earlier tonight, and feel like such a thoroughly shitty human being. I will most likely go out and check just to be safe that he's not there once more before going to bed. As it is now I'm just going out on the patio every now and then and try to see if I can hear him.

Sorry this got so long. It's been over two hours and I'm still in a bit of a state and I felt like it would be good to write it down while it was still fresh in my mind if I report it in the morning as well as just getting it out for my own sake. What fucks me up even more about this is that there I know at least one group of people walked past him without (seemingly) caring about it. But then again, I didn't really do anything either.

Tl;dr Saw a little kid bawl outside a house at night, unsure whether or not to call child protective services

Yeah call CPS. It is very odd (and dangerous) for a child to be outside so late.

First, honestly I think you did the right thing by leaving. If there's abuse going on and the abuser(s) saw you talking to him, the already bad situation could have escalated, with either him getting hurt for being so obvious, or you getting hurt for knowing something you weren't supposed to.

That being said, I would definitely call child protective services.

Well, he may have been crying because his mother said he couldn't have a cookie before bed, you know? And yes, it couldve sounded like you describe, but kids do that sometimes, they have tantrums in which they scream bloody murder and it sounds godawful! I don't think it's ridiculous for you to be concerned about a kid, but don't get worked up about it too much, I think chances are he was just tired and having a tantrum.

SA

I missed the part about the kid being outside...yeah that is weird, but again I am inclined to believe there are other explanations besides the kid is being abuses. However, if you think you should call CPS then go with that. You have a better sense of what you saw than I do.

I'd say personally I'd always air on the side of calling. CPS can sort it out, and if there is nothing then nothing bad will happen. There is enough here, I think, to warrant calling.

If you see him again, how about asking him if he's okay? Say that you regret not stopping the last time. If his answer suggest child abuse, make an alarm call. If not, why don't you make a new friend in your neighborhood; one you at least can smile, wave and say hello to as you pass?

Also, how about training on smiling and saying hello to your neighbors generally? It might help you with your own insecurities. Besides, it's nice.

Report it. Hopefully they'll send someone out to check up on the family. If you see anything that makes you think the kid is in immediate danger, call the cops.

Do not get personally involved. People who will hurt or terrorise their own kids probably won't hesitate to hurt a nosy stranger. Don't lurk around the house. Don't look through windows. Don't talk to the kid.

Even the suggestion of someone sticking their nose where it doesn't belong could be enough to set them off. If they don't hurt you, they may punish the kid for attracting too much attention.

The system is far from perfect, but the people in it have the training and authority to handle whatever comes up. If they cause an upset, they can remove the kid from that situation. You can't.

I can't actually explain in words how terrifying it is when someone well-meaning would start asking questions and I knew no matter how I answered them or how well I behaved or how quiet I was, I was going to be punished. Please do not put a kid through that.

[ SECRET POST #3148 ]

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse

Re: Need advice on what to do TW: possible child abuse