What should I do about this child that keeps getting out of his house?

Question

I live in a 3 story apartment complex and I am on the 2nd floor. There is this little boy who lives on the first floor about 2 1/2 years old who keeps getting out of his house through the balcony and wanders around.. This morning I came down the stairs about 7 a.m and he was out just walking around in the street so I took him back to his house, knocked on the door for about 2 mins til finally the dad answer, he obviously was sleeping. He grabbed the little boy by his head, pushed him in the house and said thanx and slammed the door. So about 2 hours later I hear my front door like if someone is trying to come in.. I open the door and it was the same little boy, out again! Now like I said I live on the second floor. So I took him back down to his house, knocked on the door for another 2 mins and the father (still had been sleeping) opens the door grabs his son, pushes him in the house and slams the door in my face, not saying a word! Then I hear the little boy screaming and crying! I dont know what to do about this, Im constantly checking outside to make sure he's not out wandering the streets again. This is in no way the first time this child has gotten out. Many mornings I see him about to fall off his balcony trying to get out.. I dont know if I should call someone to report this or what, I will not just mind my own business because this child could get hurt! What are ur opinions? Thanx for any help!

Answer 1

obviously the child's parents are unable to care for him properly. next time you see him wondering around, call the cops and let them know that it has happened numerous times. do this for the good of the child.

Answer 2

I would call the police or social services definitely.

Answer 3

next time keep him for a few hours see if they notice. we did the same to a kid who used to come into our yard and her fat mother did not even say thanks when we brought her back time after time  so we kept her 5 hours later while still wearing PJ's at 2 pm she asked did we have her kid   it was a shame

Answer 4

Report it immed.  The parents should take precautions to keep him inside if they know he can get out by himself.  Im all for people people minding their own business but this is one situation in which you should step in and let someone know whats going on.

Answer 5

Eeeek. I would be considering a call to Child Protection. Sounds as if the little tyke is trying to make an escape!

If his dad's that grumpy, it's no wonder.

Answer 6

Call CPS or the police the next time you see this.

Clearly, this hasn't been a one time thing, and if this small child is home alone with his father while the father sleeps, that means he is unattended.  If he had gone outside once, that would have been one thing.  But he is being left unsupervised for long periods of time, which is allowing this to happen over and over again.  At the very least, the parents should be putting a lock high on the door, since they know their small child is going to try to get outside on his own.

Answer 7

You sound just like our neighbors. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I have two little cousins (4 yrs & 5 yrs) who constantly keep coming downstairs, going through the basement, and leaving. Sometimes, I bring them inside. But other times, I'm not here so I can't keep an eye on them all the time. They already reported their mother (my cousin) to child services & I think it was the best. because someone came and checked where she lives. They told her to buy new clothes and school supplies and keep them clean, and she's changing little by little (slowly, but surely). Maybe calling will help their parents start paying attention. Of course, he'll know it was you (if you're the only one who sees him). Here in our neighborhood, they go into everyone's house and cross the streets. So everyone is aware. Report this. The parents need a wake up call. They also need to TEACH the child that it's not good to leave the home. I think that's most important. To prevent any future problems. If you call, someone will give them a nice little visit & whoever it is will have a talk with the father and with the child.

Answer 8

call your complexes office and give them the info here and the apartment number

give them a chance to address it first you need to go through the  right channels if in a week nothing has changed take the boy to  your home and call the cops and turn him over to them

Answer 9

can you talk to the kid and ask what is wrong? There is a time in every kids' life when they want to runaway but this could be serious- or it could just be a kid who got bored. You should call someone. Even if the kid is not being abused, he's also not being looked after appropiately, if the father knows his kid keeps getting out and does nothing to prevent it.  

Answer 10

I would def call the police the next time u see the kid out.. there has to be some reason why the kid keeps trying to get out.. i feel bad for the poor thing! I dont why some people are parents!!

Answer 11

i wouldnt mind my own business either. any time a child in at risk of being hurt you should report it. in this case, there are a few problems. number one, the parent should not be sleeping while their child is wandering the house. secondly, they should have their house baby proofed-the kid could get seriously injured..do they not care what happens to him? and thirdly, that sounds like abuse to me. i would call the police or social services. they can tell you what to do in order to go about reporting it. these parents are horrible!

Answer 12

Call the cops

Answer 13

Call the police.  Report an abandoned child.

The are obviously neglecting this child and putting him in harm's way.

They either need help (parenting classes, etc.) or the child needs to be removed from their care.

Answer 14

Some people should never become parents! I would call the polica right away!

Answer 15

If you don't want to feel like you're completely responsible for whatever may come out of contacting child services, I would call the police the next time.  The dad's definitely not going to slam the door in their faces and will most likely have to allow them in for a moment.  They'll call child services if they find it necessary .  That way you're helping the little boy without getting yourself too involved.

Answer 16

Your a good neighbor for that little boy.  If it was me the next time you see him out call the police and dont even bother returning him till they get there.  Like others said you should get a report going every single times hes out call.  Hopefully for that little boy things will change rather quickly once someone is called in.  

Answer 17

Its obvious the child is being abused and neglected, he needs to get out of the situation ASAP.

It really is your business since he lives in the same apartment complex you do and was at your house.

He's 2 1/2 and shouldn't be out like that, and the reaction from the father definitely says something more.

Maybe next time you see him out, talk to him before you bring him back and see if you can't have him tell you whats going on, then if he says he's being abused you get a phone and call child serves, tell them what's going on and ask if you should just keep the boy until they get there.

Answer 18

Next time you see him outside, call the cops.  Let them take the boy home.  

Answer 19

maybe call the police and have them take the child back to the house, then dad might get woke up?

Answer 20

Definitely call the police or child services.  There are so many stories of kids slipping through the system, because of unreported incidents or neighbors minding their own business, these days.  Next time you find him wandering outside, or even sooner if it's that bad, call the cops and tell them about it.  Hopefully things turn out better for the kid!  And seriously, good for you for being concerned for him.