Okay, so, would you call CPS?

holly423 · June 2009

I am thinking about it since I could do it anonymously.

My cousin is 23 and has a 2 1/2 year old little boy. I am 23 also, but she is very immature. Her and her husband supposedly have really bad fights in front of their DS. He has really bad behavior and I'm sure the parenting is why. I haven't really known any other details until this weekend.

I found out that he killed their kitten. Not only that, but he didn't succeed until the 3rd time he tried. First, he tried to light it on fire with carcoal and lighter fluid. Next, he put it in the dryer. Finally, he drowned it in the bathtub and threw it in the outside garbage can.

I fell so bad for that poor little kitten - it makes me sick. But also, how can a 2 year old get a hold of carcoal and lighter fluid? How can he run the bath tub and go outside without anyone knowing what he is doing? I know that this is a really bad situation. All of my family is super close and I am worried about what will happen if I call. If they were to find out that I called, they would be so mad. But, I don't want anything to happen to this little boy.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

EastCoastBride · June 2009

I'd call. Didn't Jeffrey Dahmer do that kind of stuff as a child?

Gramyson · June 2009

ohmygod.

kevschickee2 · June 2009

WOW how the hell can a 2 1/2 year old do that? Hmmm somthing needs to be done if in fact he did do that

adamwife · June 2009

Indifferent

That child needs help now. Don't most serial killers start by hurting animals.

Call CPS!

Mrs.C042807 · June 2009

This makes me sick for so many reasons.

I don't even know what I'd do.

ToledoDeux · June 2009

Yes, I would call. This is budding sociopathic behavior, and is a clear indicator of something being WRONG in the family. Shiit, if I had solid proof of what happened, I'd also call the ASPCA and get the police involved that way.

turtlegirl115 · June 2009

Yes, you should call. Could you live with yourself if something happened to him and you never made the call? Just be prepared though because 9x out of 10, they figure out who made the report. But that would be the least of my worries. It sounds like he could be in danger. That poor kitten! I can't even stand to think about that. Sad

APrice4UT · June 2009

adamwife:

That child needs help now. Don't most serial killers start by hurting animals.

Call CPS!

This! Word for word!

gretchenmh · June 2009

I agree...it's a sucky situation that you're in since it's family, but seriously, it's creepy that a child that young knows how to be so destructive and hateful. ?CPS will know how to best handle it.

Mike&Care · June 2009

I think Im going to throw up. I shouldnt have opened this post. My cat died this weekend... uggh

I dont know what Id do. Did the kid kill the cat? Ive heard that children that abuse animals end up being serial killers and horrible people. Have you talked to your cousin? That is NOT normal behavior. That is SICK.

HuneyofJeremy · June 2009

Call..see if you can remain anonymous (sp?). That is scary

holly423 · June 2009

adamwife:

That child needs help now. Don't most serial killers start by hurting animals.

Call CPS!

DH and I were thinking the same thing.

RJMbim · June 2009

APrice4UT:
adamwife:

That child needs help now. Don't most serial killers start by hurting animals.

Call CPS!

This! Word for word!

I'm with them

Temp291607687502511 · June 2009

No doubt in my mind, I would call. But I'd also be prepared to take care of the little guy, I don't know if I could let him go into state custody if it came to that.

Mjmksb04 · June 2009

How do you know he did those things? Did you see him or did someone tell you? When you make your report, be concise and don't get in to all of the marginally relevant issues. Stress the lack of supervision and what he did.

Alli3586 · June 2009

EastCoastBride:
I'd call. Didn't Jeffrey Dahmer do that kind of stuff as a child?

Yes, he did. That is so sad, sick and scary. For a 2 year old to be killing animals there is a serious problem. I would call. Your family won't find out it was you, and even if they do you did the right thing.

Jessis62781 · June 2009

Mrs.C042807:

This makes me sick for so many reasons.

this. This makes me so sad.

holly423 · June 2009

Mike&Care:

I think Im going to throw up. I shouldnt have opened this post. My cat died this weekend... uggh

I dont know what Id do. Did the kid kill the cat? Ive heard that children that abuse animals end up being serial killers and horrible people. Have you talked to your cousin? That is NOT normal behavior. That is SICK.

I'm so sorry about your cat. I was so sick when they told me about it.

htomeo · June 2009

Animal abuse from children is sign of deeper things. Yes, I would most definitely call.

Do you want to look back later on, and realize that you could have prevented worse behavior? At least it might be looked into, and the LO might get much needed counseling.

jenerally · June 2009

Have you spoken with the parents? Do they not care?

I'd get the name of a really good child psychologist and give it to the parents first. They HAVE to know this behavior is NOT right!

bstngrl578 · June 2009

MacsKitten:
No doubt in my mind, I would call. But I'd also be prepared to take care of the little guy, I don't know if I could let him go into state custody if it came to that.

This. I would make sure he doesn't go into some random foster home - I would take him in.

rouge411 · June 2009

I would call. That little boy needs psychological help, fast.

MamaMyers22 · June 2009

RJMbim:
APrice4UT:
adamwife:

That child needs help now. Don't most serial killers start by hurting animals.

Call CPS!

This! Word for word!

I'm with them

Absolutely this. Indifferent

holly423 · June 2009

Mjmksb04:
How do you know he did those things? Did you see him or did someone tell you? When you make your report, be concise and don't get in to all of the marginally relevant issues. Stress the lack of supervision and what he did.

My aunt, my cousin's step-mom, told me. I also heard my cousin's sister asking the little boy about it.

MrsL.inMarch · June 2009

EastCoastBride:
I'd call. Didn't Jeffrey Dahmer do that kind of stuff as a child?

Exactly what I thought.

Kris&Amy · June 2009

I would definitely call. They have to keep the reporter anonymous. If he has already killed a kitten, I'd hate to think of what he'd be capable of in the future.

Kateysomething · June 2009

EastCoastBride:
I'd call. Didn't Jeffrey Dahmer do that kind of stuff as a child?

Yes, he did. Ugh.

Please call CPS. Please, please, please.

noimnotmarried · June 2009

I would call. Specifically mention the bad fights the parents have. Is there domestic violence?

whitehead15 · June 2009

jenerally:
Have you spoken with the parents? Do they not care?
I'd get the name of a really good child psychologist and give it to the parents first. They HAVE to know this behavior is NOT right!

This.

wec5473 · June 2009

Yes

ncbelle · June 2009

Yes. That's really scary that he had access to those things and that he would think to do such a thing. He needs help.

cubsfan1 · June 2009

I know this is somewhat overplayed in this thread, but still: Indifferent

holly423 · June 2009

jenerally:

Have you spoken with the parents? Do they not care?

I'd get the name of a really good child psychologist and give it to the parents first. They HAVE to know this behavior is NOT right!

I did not speak to them about it, only my aunt (the mother's step-mom). Apparently they don't think it is that big of a deal. DH and I were telling my aunt that he should see a psychologist. She agreed, but said that the mother didn't think so.

ncsubride · June 2009

holly423 · June 2009

noimnotmarried:
I would call. Specifically mention the bad fights the parents have. Is there domestic violence?

No, not that I know of.

JARbaby · June 2009

This child is behaving like a classic psychopath. Or at the very least Antisocial Personality which may or may not include Psychopatic behaviors as well. I'd call ASAP. He is disturbed.

jenella17 · June 2009

holly423:
jenerally:

Have you spoken with the parents? Do they not care?

I'd get the name of a really good child psychologist and give it to the parents first. They HAVE to know this behavior is NOT right!

I did not speak to them about it, only my aunt (the mother's step-mom). Apparently they don't think it is that big of a deal. DH and I were telling my aunt that he should see a psychologist. She agreed, but said that the mother didn't think so.

WHAT WHAT WHAT??? Not a big deal??? I can't wrap my head around this. You need to call like 5 minutes ago.

I'm sorry you're even in this situation but your intentions are helping not hurting. Please call.

beachybride1 · June 2009

I haven't been around children all that much lately (until we had DS), but when I was younger I was a camp counselor for kids ages 3-5, and then one summer I did a "summertime twos" camp. I can't imagine any of those kids doing such a thing, or even thinking about it...it makes me so sad

toospooky · June 2009

MUD

vab1216 · June 2009

OMG I am not reading all the replies.. I am sure it has been said but killing animals is one of the first signs of BIG problems to come. Also, you are right, he is obviously not being supervised. I definitely think you should call. If worse comes to worse, he would probably get placed with a family member since it sounds like you have so many and are close. Good luck!

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