Am i interfering unreasonably

[Amai]

A friend has left her husband to go to another country, and left the kids too. She left while the dad was away at work in another town and the kids 10 and 4 were in the house for a couple of days. A cleaner came in during the day and the land lord was close at hand but uninformed of the mothers decision to leave. The kids had to stay alone in the house at night for at least three nights which is how long the dad took to find out his wife had left. So as friends me and some others offered to take the kids when he went to work, today i found his kids had been sleeping alone again for two nights. I told him i would have them over and he agreed and I took them. Has he got his head screwed on right?

Nope. Interfere away. A 10 year old should not be given the responsibility of caring for a 4 year old

Where’s the dad been for the last 2 nights?

Those poor kids! Definitely not unreasonable to interfere!

Um, what?

The mum has just left without telling anyone!! Where did the dad think she was? Who was looking after the kids during the day?

I think you did the right thing offering to look after the children.

What’s the long term plan to look after the children?

Work again in another town 7 hrs away. The land lady was concerned that if some thing happened to the kids she would be partly to blame. She is old.

Social services?

A 10 year old and a 4 year old were left alone to fend for themselves for two days and the father knew they were going to be left?

Bad enough the initial three nights - did he not ring home at all during that time? - but at least he didn't know.

Those poor kids. Interfere away op, their parents don't seem to be interested in their welfare.

The dad found out the mum had left but has not returned home and instead allowed the kids to spend 2 more days and nights alone?

No you are not interfering unreasonably. If he doesn't return tomorrow or another family member comes to take them they should be reported to social services for emergency care.

Um...a 10 and a 4 year are being left alone in the house for days at a time? You need to be ringing social services. This is neglect, and unacceptable.

Definitely cause for an emergency referral to Children’s Services

Why have you not called Social Services? This is clearly child neglect and endangerment. You really need to be told this?

Just to be absolutely clear, a 10 yo and 4 yo are being left alone overnight?

The dad very secretive, he told me she left to deal with family issues which is a lie. Also the son can't talk yet aged four. So not esy to look after for anyone let alone a ten yr old.

Why haven’t you phoned social services?

Definitely interfere but maybe he's struggling to cope with the shock of it and doesn't feel he can ask for help? And he may not have a choice but to work? Don't judge him too harshly yet (but feel free to judge the hell out of the mother!!)

Tbh a ten year old and four year old left alone for any significant length of time would be concerning.

Definitely social services.

Why haven’t you phoned SS??

Think how scared those kids are. My 4 year old would be terrified.

Seriously WTAF???

WTF? The mother left without saying anything and the father did not réalisé for three days? Then what? He went back to work and left them for another two days? When the cleaner and the landlady realised the DCs we’re home alone why didn’t they call the police?

Have you any way of contacting your friend and is this out of character for her?

This definitely needs to be interfered with. Those kiddies are at serious risk and cannot and should not be left alone.

Please OP, do what you think is right for the little ones. It sounds like they need someone looking out for them!

Screw social services why haven’t you rang the police?!!

She essentially abandoned those children

Id personally be calling social services. A 10 year old looking after a 4 year old? How and what did they eat? What if there was a fire? They opened the door to somebody? One got injured or ill? ... I would have no loyalty to my friend in this situation and have no qualms about contacting SS immediately. It should have been done in the first instance.

Sorry but why haven’t you contacted social services? That’s the first port of call as soon as you were made aware of the situation.

Also agree with the police!

Clearly you're not in the UK or you're not British/are a part of a culture where this is normal? Otherwise you would have already been onto the authorities?

You need to call the police, they will handle it. You have a responsibility to report this ASAP.