Do i have a right to call child protection services if a guy who has his child every other weekend keeps her

Question

in a roach infested house, I mean, they are everywhere. In the kitchen in the stove, the food. its gross. Also it is a 4 bedroom house with nine people living there and many people staying over. The little girl has to sleep on the floor or couch. She has no room or her own space. She is 4. Also, he drives her around in his car to far away places (about an hour or more) with just the windows down because he has no air conditioner. its been between 109 - 113 degrees here for the past week.... i dont think its safe. am i incorrect?

Answer 1

Do you know her mom> If you know her mom call her first. But, If you don't, Call child protection, it's the right thing to do for her health.

Answer 2

i believe that if you think things aren't right then you should definitely call your local child protective services. even if everything turns out to be okay you can at least rest knowing that you did the right thing. I'm not sure where you live but I'm guessing america, over here (australia) lately we have had a lot of children die in their own home, if just one person had noticed something was wrong and made a call then those precious babies would still be alive. if the authorities are called they aren't necessarily going to take the child away but are more likely to offer help/support on how th better care for that little girl. if you ask me calling them is a win win situation for everybody. you could always do it anonymously.  

Answer 3

I'm having a hard time understanding why you think it's wrong for a child to ride around in a car. It happens all the time. We must all be child abusers if we do that! As long as he's not leaving her in the car alone with the windows rolled up (or even down) like other idiots do, I see nothing wrong with that.

As for the roaches, I don't think that's abuse either. He needs to have an exterminator, yes. But nothing extreme enough for her to possibly get taken away.

And not everyone can afford a big house with 20 bedrooms.

Answer 4

i don't know about other states. i live in texas here if the childs not in danger then they will only come in and check around. but unless the cochroach grows teeth and becomes a violant insect then they will probably not do anything. unless there are signs of abuse or neglect. he may be neglecting his home but not his child.

Answer 5

unless you think that the child is in danger or not taken care of in the correct manor i wouldnt call because the A/C in not working in his car and he might not have the extra money to fix it. and with the bugs i would just try to help him by getting some bug spray for him because he just might have had them before he moved to the place. you cant expect people to be perfect or rich and able to take care of these things. just help him out. it sounds like he is doing the best that he can for his daughter! good luck!

Answer 6

Sounds like you should call someone.  CPS might be a place to start.

Answer 7

As for the car they will do nothing about that. That is what he can afford and it is not neglect.  The roaches are health and safety and they may investigate and assist in extermination but they won't remove for the above mentioned things.  

Answer 8

Well, the A/C in his car is no reason to call CPS.  Some people can't afford to fix the A/C and some people can't afford to have A/C in their house!  As far as the house - if she's sleeping on the couch or floor it's ok.  My daughter used to love sleeping on the floor with her blanket, it's like a sleepover.  As far as the bugs go, I'm not really sure.  If the child looks and acts healthy and happy, I wouldn't get involved.

Answer 9

I agree with you on the roach infestation but not on the car. People don't need a/c it is a luxury not a necessity. Have you ever talked to him?

Answer 10

The roaches are enough. Her not having sleeping space of her own locks it in.

The 'hitting' would need to be actual hitting, not spanking, and would have to be proved.

AC is a luxury and has nothing to do with it.

Do you have a 'right'? The girl has the right to a good home. You can call CPS and put it in their hands.

Answer 11

Roaches are a serious health risk!!!! Something definitely needs to be done about that part!!!

Answer 12

The situation you are describing makes me think this is not neglect, but has to do with money.  Is he financially able to have a better place for her or get a car with A/C?

I would just suspend judgement first on whether this is neglect/abuse or if it is due to poverty.

Many people don't have A/C and have to live in homes with lots of people.

Answer 13

Actually, you can call 911 if your daughter is being kept in a house where there is no air conditioning on a 109 degree day.  It is legitimate to call 911 when a child is in danger of overheating, because that is a life threatening situation.  The police report, if conditions are found to be as you have described, would then be evidence in any future proceedings.  Yes, it is legitimate to complain to child protective services regarding the cockroach infestations and lack of A/C in house and car and the excessive numbers of people in the house, which may put her at increased risk of "stranger danger".

  

Answer 14

yea even if he doesnt have her full time its still neglect

Answer 15

You should call CPS so there is atleast a record of the general neglect.  I would also make sure that when you call them you let them know that it is a partial custody situation too.  This way he might lose his cusotdy of her and she would be better off with her mom.  As a parent I know this is hard to see but unfotunately CPS does very little to nothing anymore.  Good luck!

Answer 16

I would call them and report it. beacuse of the bugs being health concern only.

Answer 17

If you are legitimately concerned for the child's safety you should call child protective services.  They will do an investigation and make their own determination of the circumstances.  

Answer 18

I would call them.  It would be best for everyone involved, especially the little girl.  I am sure they will look things over and tell him that he has got to get his home cleaned up.  I am pretty sure that they will tell him the little girl needs a room of her own with a bed.  They will know what the agreements were with the courts as far as how far he can travel with the child.  Now the car and the air conditioning and stuff...Most of my growing up life we did not have air conditioning.  I am greatly thankful for it now, but, I did survive.  I would call child protection services though.  Only good can come out of it.  Sometimes even good people need someone to put a torch under there bums to get them doing the right things.