not AIBU but what do I do re child next door (5) left. alone.

[AnaIsAlwaysShocked]

Ok first off sorry for typos I'm on my phone.

DD2 just came in from the garden saying girl next door wants her to go round and play because she's on her own. so I popped out and according to child ( lets call her daisy) her mum dad and brother have gone for a walk without her and told her to stay in the house.

She won't come round here as she's been told not to leave the house, at 5 has no real knowledge of how long they have been etc and I can't leave my house too much as I have 3DCs with me.

My plan is to knock every 5 minutes for the next half hour and then panic or sit with DC in the street until and her at the door until parents arrive. any better ideas? I don't know if I'm panicing and should ignore but surely at 5 Daisys too young to be left.

I'd have been terrified at that age. Call the police.

It's unbelievable how negligent some parents are.

OP are you ok? Assume youre busy sorting it out

hope you are ok

I'm back, Daisys fine. Thinks she's a big kid because she's allowed to be home alone.

Went round and talked her into letting me stay with 3DC. About 5 minutes later phone rings and it's her grandma. Explained situation and told her I was about to call the police she told me to and said she would back me 100% for doing so. She was available so could have watched Daisy but wasn't asked.

So grandma is coming to pick Daisy up and I've rung the police to ask for a follow up visit tomorrow. Didn't think Daisy should see the police and scare her unless necessary.

New update didn't get time to post.

Grandma has now arrived and collected Daisy and then rang parents just now to scream at them so over an hour after I know she was alone for. They are now coming home but Daisy will be gone to grandmas by then.

Police have said they may follow up tonight and call round.

This happened to me a few months ago. We live in flats. A 4 year old from down the corridor knocked on my door- left alone. I took DD along and stood in the doorway of the flat. 30 mins passed- no sign of parents. I didn't have their number and felt I had no choice but to call the police. I rang 101 (the non emergency police number) as I'd taken the child to mine by this point- didn't fancy sitting in the family's flat as that would have been a bit awkward. The police were here within 15 minutes and took it very seriously as the child had been left for at least 40 minutes. The parent who'd left the child was cautioned. Awkward as hell now with the neighbours but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I would have never been able to forgive myself if something had happened to the child.

I hope you're off calling the police. It's a horrible situation for the child and for you- you've been put in a tricky position.

You did the right thing OP and YAY for Grandma!

Why did they not just phone her in the first place? IDIOTS!

Sorry- x post! Good on you- you've done the right thing and good on the grandma.

Well done for being so vigilant.
That's not fair. Leaving a poor child alone for that long.
I feel bad if I leave ds who is 2 for literally1 min as I run up to loo and wash hands and back down.
doesnt happen an awful lot as there's other family members to watch him

I think you did the right thing.
Now chill with

X

Well done OP. glad she's sorted.

Well done OP very brave of you and the best out come for the child, hopefuly the parents will now realise how serious this is

You did exactly the right thing Ana, and also brilliant thinking for not getting police to come round while she was on her own. You're the kind of neighbour I approve of.

Poor child. Well done OP. I hope the parents don't cause any trouble for you and are duly ashamed at their behaviour.

Good on Grandma too for backing you up.

Utter idiots....I let my 12, 9 and 7 yo children stay alone in the house with dh 200 yards around the corner (at work but reachable always) and feel guilty enough about that....they're very sensible and FAR older. Glad that gm is on your (and her) side.

You posted at 18:20, so Daisy has been alone for over an hour - and more depending on when he family abandoned her!

Thank heavens for having a wonderful neighbour like you, and her loving grandma. It's shocking how they never contacted her!

Well done, OP!

Well done ana for taking care of her. At least she has her grandmother to look after her now and hopefully the parents will be warned by the police.
Poor child. Makes you wonder what else happens in her life with such neglectful parents.

Thanks to all, don't think I would have called the police or thought about her getting told off if I took her to mine or stopped running round in a panic if It wasn't for all of you.

It's one of those 'oh, shit I don't have a DC that age I don't know whats right' situations.

Well done Ana. Good job you were there for her, so glad Daisy is ok.

Well done OP, I hope police (and angry Grandma, not sure which would be worse actually ) both give those idiotic parents hell for this.

Keep posting and let us know, I hope "Daisy" sleeps ok tonight wee mite. I wonder if this has happened before to her?!

Well done Ana. Easy for us to keep saying go on, call the police - not so easy to do. Good going!

Have just asked my husband who is a police officer - his first quick response was ring the police now. Was just about to post when I saw your latest posts. We can be a bit lax sometimes but he was wtf right away - we have a daughter who is almost 5. You did the right thing.

Glad to hear this, Ana, and good for you.

The problem with entering the property is that the parents can make an allegation of theft against you, even if just to get back at you.

Children who are left in neglectful situations can make up stories,it is a defense mechanism, or attention seeking, we had a girl who couldn't be alone with a member of staff, because she made constant allegations of sexual abuse.

You have to act whilst still protecting yourself.