What I can do about a British child who is being neglected and has been taken to Spain?

[BellaMoo]

I didn't know where to post this - I hope someone might have some advice.

A relative and her partner are both alcoholics (but very good at hiding it). They have a daughter who is 3 1/2. At the start of last year we looked after the little girl for a month (kinship fostering) while mum was in rehab and dad was apparently too busy at work (!). Since then, n the surface (and partly because the family have ££) all seems fine - she's clothed, fed, strategic pictures of her smiling and playing are being shared etc but that's not reality.

Very long story short. Dad has left and Mum is drinking again. She has taken the little girl to Spain to visit friends where apparently she's going to buy a house and live happily among the orange groves!! It's such a mess.

I'm pretty sure, from when we looked after her last time, that the girl is being neglected again now mum is drinking. What we saw when we had her was a 2 year old who didn't cry once for either parent and went to any adult who gave her attention, only ate pureed/soft food from pouches because she was never given anything else, didn't have normal sleep patterns, and didn't know how to play because all they ever did was stick her in front of the telly . Social services were aware but never really got involved.

I don't know what to do and I guess that Social Services can't do anything because they're abroad. I suspect when the money runs out she'll come back but who knows when that might be or what might happen to the child in the meantime.

[anniemac1]

I have only just joined mumsnet so this is a rather late reply. Contact your local police, they in turn will contact the Spanish Police to attend the address to check on the childs. They in turn will contact their own social services or start proceedings. Be forceful and make sure our ploice take the above action and keep you notified. If not put in a formal complaint. and keep complaining till the child is seen and assisted. Please..

[SamBeckettslastleap]

I'm always sad when a post like this slips through amongst all the mil/wedding /cf drama
Op I hope you have had some help irl.

[Bilboard]

If you know the town they 've move to, phone/ email the local Spanish police, explain the situation, don't worry about language barrier as they probably have interpreters. They will get in touch with the local social services.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

Spanish police is far better dealing with neglected kids than British police. Call the local police near where she lives and let them fix things

[Wintersun13]

It's a bit late but I'd like to add, be very sure there is an actual risk to the child before contacting anyone. Being suspected of child abuse can be extremely damaging to both the accused parent and their child, even if the accusation is subsequently proven false.

[lyinginthegutterstaringatstars]

So what happened @BellaMoo
Is the dc okay?