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AIBU?

Irresponsible family members - mad

37 replies

Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:12

My DB and SIL have just left their two kids (11 and 12 years old) home alone for three days. They went 10 hours drive from home.

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Mintyy · 15/11/2015 22:15

Well yes that sounds bad. What are you going to do about it?

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Candypops14 · 15/11/2015 22:15

Can you go and make sure there ok or invite them to stay at yours? Do they seem ok on their own-although I don't think I'd leave my children that she on their own

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Only1scoop · 15/11/2015 22:16

That's awful.

What are your intentions.

Could they have stayed with you?

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Sparkletastic · 15/11/2015 22:16

DB or not I would report them to Social Services for neglect

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:16

Can't do anything about it as they live abroad where it is totally legal to leave children at any age. Just so mad about it.

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JeffsanArsehole · 15/11/2015 22:17

Obviously you call social services

If you don't it just condones it

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TurnOffTheTv · 15/11/2015 22:18

Police? Which country?

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JeffsanArsehole · 15/11/2015 22:18

X posted

Where abroad?

Really unlikely if it's in Europe it's legal

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laffymeal · 15/11/2015 22:18

The law's a bit woolly on this. Personally I think they've been irresponsible, selfish cunts but not sure if they've broken the law.

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:18

It's the US in a state where it's not illegal to leave children

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laffymeal · 15/11/2015 22:19

Just seen they're not in UK, not a lot you can do then.

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KeepOnMoving1 · 15/11/2015 22:19

YanbuShock they are far too young to be left alone for that length of time.

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TurnOffTheTv · 15/11/2015 22:19

I'm sure there will still be some authorities you can contact, child services?

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TurnOffTheTv · 15/11/2015 22:20

I'd ring the local police department to them and get advice

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Pipbin · 15/11/2015 22:21

Presuming that you are too far away to go there, and therefore haven't seen them, how do you know?

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:21

Apparently they can cook and fend for themselves. Never known such selfish people. Seriously finished with them. I'm at the point where I don't want to speak to them again

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:21

I've looked into it, it's not illegal.

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:22

Because they told my parents tonight.

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Pipbin · 15/11/2015 22:24

You are right, it seems it's not illegal, ages differ depending on the state.
everydaylife.globalpost.com/child-home-alone-laws-california-3166.html

Are you sure there was no one looking after them?

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TurnOffTheTv · 15/11/2015 22:24

But surely you can just ring the local police just for clarification? They might go and check on them?

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annandale · 15/11/2015 22:24

I wouldn't cut off contact with them because I think the kids need their extended family to stay in touch.

Can you find an excuse to send the children a card each in the next few days/weeks? With your phone number on it maybe? See if you can speak to them next time you're in touch? just let them know you are around.

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:25

They may have friends popping in and they're close to their neighbours.

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steff13 · 15/11/2015 22:26

I'd call social services anyway. In my state, there's no "official" age at which it's legal to leave kids home alone; it's supposed to be common sense and what is considered reasonable. Authorities here would be unlikely to consider this reasonable...

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TurnOffTheTv · 15/11/2015 22:26

So there is definitely no adult with them overnight?

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Lemon666 · 15/11/2015 22:28

They said that they were home alone all weekend. I barely speak to them, my parents have told me because they are upset about it.

It's just so they can have time alone... why have kids?

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