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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I report my neighbour for "man handling" his child?

107 replies

theneighbour · 05/06/2024 23:21

My Ring doorbell captured a neighbour aggressively grabbing his toddler's arm ( she looks about two years old) multiple times. She clearly did not want to walk, and attempted to sit down, at which point he kicked the back of her legs to keep her upright; the kick itself wouldn't have been hard to an adult, but would be for a toddler.

His DD ended up sat on the ground, he wrenched her arm to get her back on her feet a few more times, then hit her on the side of her head when she refused to stand. After that, he walked away leaving her on the ground crying.

He could have easily lifted her up, and carried her home, which is what I often had to resort to with my DS when he was having a tantrum, or just refusing to cooperate.

So, should I report this to social services, or is there another body I can speak to who might best advise me? Also, I'm uncertain as to whether there would be a data breach in sharing the doorbell footage with the relevant authority.

YABU - Mind your own business. He was probably having a bad day.
YANBU - Of course you report it. No harm done if SS deems he acted reasonably.

OP posts:
scoobysnaxx · 05/06/2024 23:30

He kicked the back of her leg and hit her in the side of the head.

REPORT, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT AND NO DELAY.

Poor baby.

Dreamingofthishouse · 05/06/2024 23:29

I’d report it yes ,if you saw and adult do this to another adult would you be concerned ? Of course . So a helpless child absolutely would be too!! You could call the local children’s services number tonighy or the police. If didn’t want to do that you could also Prehaps call nspcc for advise and take from there ? The helpline number in uk is 0808 800 5000- open again at 10am tomorrow.
On their website they also have a reporting form .

JMSA · 05/06/2024 23:29

Oh God. At first I thought I might sympathise a bit; the stressed out parent with a tantrumming child. But reading that made me feel sick, especially the slap to the head.
I would report.

Avatartar · 05/06/2024 23:26

Report to the police then they can decide - defenceless child

CountryMumof4 · 05/06/2024 23:25

I think most of us have had to wrestle a child into a car seat or pram, or pull them up when they've fallen over. However, this sounds like unnecessary force and the hit to their head is inexcusable. I think I'd report in this situation. Poor kid :-(

iamtheblcksheep · 05/06/2024 23:24

I think unless you’ve seen this repeatedly you mind your own business.

JaniceBattersby · 05/06/2024 23:23

I would report this to the police. That poor, poor child. IME they will prosecute him, and so they should.