To have wanted to report this guy

[Lalalax3]

Getting off a packed train at King's Cross today I noticed an extremely drunk man with his daughter. She was about 5/6, he had evidently brought her up to London for the weekend. I know he was drunk because a) he REEKED of booze b) his eyes were red c) he nearly fell off the train getting off. He went the wrong way towards the end of the platform before someone pointed him in the right direction. Last I heard of him was 'Right, let's go to Lessersqqquare'

My heart broke in two for his lovely shiny girl, with her backpack and excited eyes.

Should I have reported him? Could I have? Who to?

I find it hard to believe the OP has described this kid as his lovely shiny girl, with her backpack and excited eyes

Oh well, if your 'heart breaking in two' wasn't enough to make you open your mouth and simply alert a guard, it's hard to imagine what would.

Of course you report an adult so pissed up they are falling over, in charge of a young child.

I'm shocked that you didn't, or that you even have to ask.

I'm also surprised that no one else noticed a 5 year old being put onto a train and left.

Actually there seems to be a weird influx of threads like this lately.

OP posts about something awful they've seen involving a (usually) vulnerable person.

Then they announce they did precisely fuck all about it.

Then (more often than not) they end up getting a ton of posts saying, "Poor you, OP. How awful that you witnessed that"

It's fucked up. A bit like gaining sympathy by proxy or something

Or why she was so shiny and excited instead of petrified

No idea why people seem to claim to.knke more about this situation than the OP
I think there's little you can do now sadly.

I find it hard to believe that a mother would put her DD on the train her pissed up dad.

Sadly, I can well believe it (worked in child protection)

Of course a drunk adult should not be responsible for a child.

But this story is bollocks - pit bull, bright shines eyes...

Its an offence to be drunk in charge of a minor isn't it?

All other passengers on the crowded train had nothing to say or report about a 5 year old being put on a train and left?

This didn't happen did it - love how the "pit bull" comments was just lobbed in by OP. Try mail forums.

Yes MrsDV

Also bloody dangerous considering he 'nearly fell off the train', according to the OP.

All just sounds unbelievable

TheFirstMrsDV
I think you may be confusing a minor with a bicycle, or car...

If I put any of my children on a train at 5 to travel alone, they would have been petrified, especially being met by a pissed dad who could barely stand.

They would have been in tears, not shiny and excited!

Shout - from how the OP has described the girl it would seem she's well cared for? That might not be the case but it would seem that's the impression the OP had and what she'd like us to believe. In what world would someone who had their child's best interest at heart pack her off for the weekend with her inebriated dad? I wouldn't, would you?

No, I wouldn't. Some people find it very hard to judge risk, though. They're not traditionally neglectful - clean house, clean clothes etc - but they make bizarre decisions about their kids' welfare.

But I agree, this situation sounds quite strange.

Actually I'm confused now.

If the shiny child was put on a train by her mum, to go and meet her dad.

How did he end up nearly falling off of a train he wasn't even on?

You noticed them as you got off the packed train yet you also heard all the info about pit bulls, mum putting her on the train etc..... ok.....

Navy OP said mum had put 5 year old on the train to go and meet dad

You've hardly got time to breathe when you get off a packed train at Kings Cross, as everyone moves forward away from the train.

I can't imagine how you heard any of this chit chat between them.