Hi there!
Sorry in advance for the (confused :-S) account...
Since Friday I had sleepless nights due to witnessing something I thought was only possible on Jeremy Kyle. I could cry forever...
We went to the funeral of a good friend and two days later to the same family's Christening. Present was also the 16-year-old niece who is around 34 weeks pregnant. I know that she has had major issues at school and with relationships there and at home. Her parents obviously lost control at some point and she had various issues including self-harming and drugs (legal+illegal). She is still together with the father of the child although a court has already ruled that she must live with her parents otherwise the baby will be taken away as the father has been convicted for various things and is a drug addict. He was not present for obvious reasons.
Now, you might think that her (middle-class) parents would try and do everything to prevent both the girl and the unborn baby coming to any possible harm, i.e. making sure she stays as healthy as possible etc etc.
Mum also seems to have issues though (due to her daughter's problems), e.g. eating disorder and possible alcohol abuse.
Basically they sat together at two family events and consumed liberal amounts of alcohol (wine, beer, sparkly wine) as well as cigarettes. It was heart-wrenching to watch the girl smoking one after the other together with her mum (and dad at times). Everyone else was just stunned. I just looked at her bump and imagined this little bundle in there twitching every time the alcohol/smoke hit and felt terribly sorry for all of them but especially baby and her. Nobody said a thing (I think). By the end, mum was terribly drunk whereas the girl still seemed pretty fine.
Dad does not intervene probably because he wants to maintain peace as either of the two females would otherwise flip.
Social services are already involved as she admitted to drug/alcohol abuse, but I don't think they appreciate the parents behaviour and attitude. Even if the child survives unharmed (seems highly unlikely) I can't see her mum and her look after the baby adequately. How is it possible they just seem to not care??? She is still only 16!
Would you report the parents to Social Services or similar agency? I know her midwife as I was with the same. I could mention it to her instead? I am fully aware that it shouldn't be my business but on the other hand I can't get my regular Safeguarding Children training go amiss that I have to undergo each year due to my job.
Opinions please. I hope I explained myself as clearly as possible and sorry for the sad read...
Thanks x
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Reporting abuse/neglect of underage pregnant girl
31 replies
upnorth11 · 27/07/2015 23:04
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