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packerfan asked in Society & CultureEtiquette · 1 decade ago

What would you do if you had neighbors like I have?

The house next door to me is inhabited by (yes) three men and a baby. The child will be 2 years old in January. The boy's mother previously had 4 children taken away from her by the state and she's out of the picture with this one as well. The father, I'm convinced, wanted the child (his only one, as far as I know) mainly for the welfare benefits. He occasionally works for cash under the table, but seems to spend what little cash he makes all on beer. The guy who's name is on the lease was injured in a motorcycling accident and collects disability benefits and pays the rent (doesn't drink), but relies on the dad to take care of the utilities. The dad (whom I refer to as "Beer-Before-Utilities") doesn't seem to pay a dime toward living expenses and assumes that his young son is his "ace in the hole," thinking that because he has a dependent, the state or some charitable organization will pick up the tab whenever he needs help. This help is often slow in coming, since the economy in Michigan is horrible these days and the tax base is ever shrinking. Since the spring, they've been without gas for a time, have had their water shut off twice and now have neither water or electricity. I want to call Social Services for the child's sake, but I'm afraid the city would then be forced to condemn the house and leave the non-drinker homeless. He's a good honest guy who's just made some bad decisions. I could care less, though, about Beer-Before-Utilities. The child is still young enough that there must be a nice couple somewhere out there willing to adopt him. My guess is that the state will eventually take the child from his custody anyway--but who knows when? How could I help the child without causing further problems for the disabled adult?

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    ~you certainly know a lot about your neighbors! I would just stay out of it~

  • 1 decade ago

    For most of human history people neither had running water or electricity.

    Is the child being properly cared for aside from that? Is clean water kept in the house for drinking and washing?

    If no, I would call child protective services. If yes, I would wait and see until it gets too cold not to have heat.

  • 1 decade ago

    How in the heck do you know all of your neighbors business? Your best bet is to sit this one out. Keep your nose on your side of the fence. Do you see signs of abuse? If not, then dont worry about it. Everyone has hard times. If you have never had them, then kudos for you and you should feel fortunate. There are already enough children bouncing from foster home to foster home(which at times can be worse than being stuck with a biological father) so if the baby has clothes, food and shelter, I wouldnt worry so much about it.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    you clearly do not have the childs best interest at heart. why don't you offer to be of some assistance instead of trying to have that child removed from his home? you seem to know these people and their lives real well.... or at least you think you do. be a good neighbor and help them or else mind your own business.

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