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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I found a toddler on the pavement this week

58 replies

jellymaker · 02/03/2014 20:35

Out on the pavement with no shoes on and a dummy in his mouth. I stopped and got out my car. No adult around. Walked along the road with him to find an open door. Mum asleep on the sofa inside. I couldn't rouse her until I shouted. She stirred and I said I found your boy on the street. She just said thanks and I shut the door. Place stunk. Rubbish door handle. I phoned the police after i left as i was concerned she would fall back to sleep and he would be straight back out. I have spent the week wondering if I have just ruined some poor girls life when she was knackered and fell asleep by mistake. Please tell me I did the right thing or did I over react?

OP posts:
cfc · 02/03/2014 20:36

You did the right thing.

You know you did.

DarlingGrace · 02/03/2014 20:36

I couldn't rouse her until I shouted. She stirred and I said I found your boy on the street. She just said thanks and I shut the door

I'd have called an ambulance ..... but then I've been brought up round diabetic comas

MildDrPepperAddiction · 02/03/2014 20:37

Yanbu. I would have done the same.

DarlingGrace · 02/03/2014 20:38

FWIW - you werent sure the boy came from that house - so the police was the right thing given the assumption he belonged to a house with an open door

Birdsgottafly · 02/03/2014 20:39

You did the right thing phoning the police.

I would of checked of the tiredness was illness, or drug/drink induced before leaving and reporting that so the child was safe.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/03/2014 20:40

You did the right thing.
I have fallen asleep in occasion on the sofa when my girls were that age. But, only if they were playing, or watching TV in same room, and I knew they were safe, and couldn't get out of front door. her reaction too was really worrying, you would have thought she would have been ott grateful.

Sirzy · 02/03/2014 20:40

I thought the same as Darling tbh.

But I would have certainly called the police.

Only1scoop · 02/03/2014 20:40

I don't think you had a choice personally.
Yanbu

honeybunny14 · 02/03/2014 20:41

Im so glad you phoned the police you 100% done the right thing i would have done the same.

Original poster
jellymaker · 02/03/2014 20:42

Well he toddled straight in and she took him towards herself to hug in when she came round.

OP posts:
CoffeeTea103 · 02/03/2014 20:42

You did the right thing. Either way she still needs to explain why her child was wandering alone on the street.

CrohnicallyFarting · 02/03/2014 20:43

I wouldn't have gone looking for where he came from, I'd have sat with him and waited for a few minutes in case someone was looking for him, then I'd have phoned the police.

drnoitall · 02/03/2014 20:43

I'm amazed by this, what a predicament.
I think I would have called police, I would be very worried about the baby and it happening again as well as concerned the baby went to the correct home, but then I'm a worrier.
Didn't the woman seem worried, surprised or anything?

KittyAndTheFontanelles · 02/03/2014 20:43

I don't think I'd have left the child in the house. I think I might have phoned the police and waited with the baby. How were you sure that was the child's mum?

FudgefaceMcZ · 02/03/2014 20:44

Did you ask if she was ok or anything? Yes, obviously she could have been a druggie or anything, otoh she could have been seriously ill (and either way, maybe not able to look after a child, but it would have helped maybe more to call an ambulance if the former and police/social services if latter). I guess if the police have been out they will check she is ok too, but it just seems you were a bit harsh assuming that she was in that state voluntarily rather than because of illness.

KittyAndTheFontanelles · 02/03/2014 20:44

Oh, sorry. I mean you did the right thing by phoning though. I'm just not clear how you knew.

Original poster
jellymaker · 02/03/2014 20:45

I've been worrying about it all week. The police said they would call me back and tell me the outcome but I haven't heard back.

OP posts:
ghostinthecanvas · 02/03/2014 20:46

He could have been run over. I hope the police took your call seriously. Its not about the adult. Its about the child. YADNBU

MammaTJ · 02/03/2014 20:46

I may have slept when my DC were playing but only in a 'mum sleep' the kind where you hear everything! She needed some more help and if you were not able to give it then calling the police was the right thing to do.

MammaTJ · 02/03/2014 20:48

Ring them and ask then!

DarlingGrace · 02/03/2014 20:48

Data protection - they wont tell you anything

justmyview · 02/03/2014 20:49

I don't think police will (or should) report back to you. It's out of your hands now. Naturally, you may be curious / concerned to hear how it pans out, but it's not really any of your business. You did the right thing to report it

Original poster
jellymaker · 02/03/2014 20:50

Well I assumed that she was the mum. The house is directly on the pavement. Door opens into front room. no hallway. The police woman kept me on the phone and asked me loads of questions. By the end of the call she said they had someone at the property. I just feel sick about it. Wondering what the outcome was

OP posts:
FabBakerGirl · 02/03/2014 20:53

You did the right thing. The child is the first priority, not the mother.

oddsocksmostly · 02/03/2014 20:53

you did the right thing. How would you have felt if you hadn't phoned them?