Neighborhood drama - help?

[PoultryPedia]

lewisfarmgurl--Very, very sound advice. It's VERY common for someone who's been abused over an extended period to have difficulty not going back to the abusive situation. And then you would be in the middle of it, because the family is bound to find out. I think a battered women's program and shelter is the best aid in helping the woman involved move toward lasting changes and help. Plus they are confidential, a neutral/non-personal entity, and structured to provide safety to those involved.
If she's not willing to get the additional help today, she probably won't tomorrow. Then all you've given is (possibly) 1 night of safety, and many nights of concern and perhaps danger to your family.

Here's a resource that may be close to her:
Haven House Of Pickaway County in Circleville, OH
Phone: (740) 477-9113

There are also more resources at actionohio.org. There is particularly helpful info at http://www.actionohio.org/special_pop.htm#RURAL%20OHIO

Best wishes! You have a good heart

The love you are showing her will help her have the strength to believe she is worth taking care of, and you may be able to help her have confidence that there are resources outside her home that want to and can help her.

 

[mtnhomechick]

This is a very disheartening post. I sure wish I had some words of wisdom to help you.........but, I don't. So, my contribution is to pray on this dilemma for you...Know you are in my prayers.

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

Ask yourself this:

If you do nothing, and something happens to that tiny defenseless baby, how are going to feel then?

You said yourself that the woman isn't quite playing with a full deck, so she doesn't sound capable of making intelligent decisions regarding the safety of that poor baby.

I wouldn't take her in either, but I sure as hell would call social services in a heartbeat. I'm appalled that the infant is living in a house with MONKEYS, which can be very dangerous if they ever got loose.

I would call. I would call not only social services, but I would call the police so they could not only do something to protect that baby, but they would have a record of the threats made and they could watch your house as well.

If another neighbor reports them, they may blame you anyway, and at some point you may have to stand up to this bully.

It sucks that you're in the middle of this. I feel bad for you. Good luck.

 

[All about the EGG]

Forget they even exist...people like that feed on others. Let the government handle it. If the dogs come over and mess with your flock, take care of business. Know your legal rights concerning protection of your livestock. Good Luck!

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
I kind of agree with this.

 

[bugladyleah]

Oh, my...don't take this the wrong way, but you are NUTS if you get involved with these lunatics. My concern is for the poor children involved and for your own well-being (and your livestock's). I would immediately call Child and Youth Services (that is what they call it here) and report a potential problem. I also would be burning up the phone lines to Animal Control every single stinkin' time those dogs were out. (Actually, I would shoot them out here in the country and that would be the end of that...but that's another story). The bottom line is: You have no idea what is true/real and what is "embellished". I don't know how in the world you got mixed up with these goofballs in the first place (you are clearly much more "nice" than I am...lol), but please don't get in any deeper. You are only setting yourself up for trouble or at the very least, hurt feelings of not being able to change these people's situation...which, trust me, you won't....even with the best of intentions. Good luck!!!

Leah

 

[purplebaby]

lots of good ideas here. your local child protective services should be called or the national hot line. this is child abuse. since u say there are 2 children there witnessing the violence and abuse, they need to and have to respond. u may do this without giving your name. give them as much info as u can they have to protect your identity (unless it is a repeated false call. and even then only with a court order). they will bring in other agencies as needed, ie domestic violence advocates. my ex and his ex got physical and the police were called DURING my dds' visit there. no one called cps or me, not even the cops. the children "forgot" to tell me until months later at which time i did call cps and they said it was child abuse and they should have been called in sooner but no one did. by that point the girls had witnessed way too much and only when it turned on them ...only then did they tell. they were in 6th and 8th grade. they are still suffering the consequences of it. please make an anonymous call, protect the children and protect your children too.



btw both adults were considered "founded" by cps and visitation changed drastically for a while and maybe dds relationship with dad forever

 

[KAKBucks]

I talked to the mother this evening. They owed me money for eggs and the daughter grabbed me to come over and get it when I was at the next door neighbor's.

The mother started talking about how her daughter is "out of it" and has been basically on a rampage for the past 4 days. She said she knows her daughter has probably told me that her brother has hit her and threatened her life but that all of that is bull, that the daughter is the one that instigates it, and some other things that are very frightening about her behavior.

She talked about wanting to get her daughter on medicaid so she could see a psychiatrist. When she said that I told her that if her daughter was at "critical point" she could have her admitted to the hospital for 3 day treatment/observation without consent. She asked how and I told her that if she goes off to call the cops/squad and they would get the ball rolling, and that social services would get involved, which is definitely a good thing.

I was very tentative about the conversation, but the mother was very responsive.

I have a feeling the truth is somewhere in between, but I tend to think it leans more towards the mother's story because of some other things that have happened or been said over time.

The mother basically takes care of the baby, which is why I haven't called social services before this!

This definitely changes the situation some, but I think makes things a lot easier for me! If she comes over tonight I won't feel as badly about calling the police and letting them straighten things out! I won't let her stay here tonight for sure! Hopefully she'll get home and either nothing will happen or the mom will call the cops and I won't be involved at all.

And talking to the mother has made me feel a bit better about my family not being in serious danger. I still don't want to end up in the middle of this, but I can't ignore it, particularly because of the baby, as you mentioned.

No matter who is the aggressor, having a baby in the middle of the situations that have been described is NOT SAFE. But I don't think she's in immediate danger.

I would give just about anything for a couple of weeks without any drama. I've got plenty of my own. I definitely don't need anyone else's!

Kendra

ps thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[chiknlady]

never invite the devil into your home...if she is miserable enough she will leave the drama alone--not your problem and hers only as long as she wants it to be...Peace be with you

 

[PoultryPedia]

KAKBucks--What a relief for you! Sounds like you are examining and handling the issues carefully. That is courageous of you to face such a situation, while seeking counsel and support from others. One time I did not report when a child was involved and I (and I'm sure they) suffered much in regret. Bless you