Please validate my decision (NPR)

jmc1017 · December 2011

I'm going to try to make this as short as possible. I work in a grocery store and see some really nasty people come through. Today, this woman was in shopping with her four kids ranging from about 4 to about 11. She was screaming at her kids, threatening them that she was going to punch them in their faces. She was vulgar and despicable and caused such a scene at the register that people from the back of the store came up to see what the yelling was about.

In her 15ish minutes on the front end, she slapped her one son across the face at least three times and hit another one in his head for touching something he shouldn't have. Someone in the meantime had called the cops. The cop showed up while she was waiting for her ride and he had a two minute long conversation with this woman and told her not to do it again.

Apparently she has just regained custody of her kids according to a customer who knew her situation. After realizing the cop wasn't going to do anything, I decided to file a report with CPS. I know they have to investigate it, but if they don't find anything and those kids have to stay with this woman, I'm afraid of what kind of punishment they'll get for having been investigated. Please tell me that I did the right thing for those poor babies.

Unknown · December 2011

This content has been removed.

gisa886 · December 2011

You did the very right thing! Holy crap what a cvntburger! I can't believe the cop just gave her a warning.

vtwd40 · December 2011

Terrible situation. Just remember that was what she was willing to do in public. You can only have nightmares about what she would be willing to do behind closed doors. I would have done the same.

jmc1017 · December 2011

It was so awful, I've never seen anyone act that way. If she was willing to act like that in public, I can't imagine how she is at home. Several people said something to her and she screamed at them to mind their effing business and no one is gonna tell her how to raise HER kids. I cried for those kids today. People like that have no business being parents.

jmc1017 · December 2011

vtwd40:
Terrible situation. Just remember that was what she was willing to do in public. You can only have nightmares about what she would be willing to do behind closed doors. I would have done the same.

Based on why she supposedly lost her kids the last time, I don't want to begin to imagine what their home life is like. It's so incredibly heartbreaking. I just hope CPS does right by the kids.

MsCat19 · December 2011

You did the right thing.

gisa886 · December 2011

In all honesty I probably would have lost my job because I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut. I am glad people spoke up.

jmc1017 · December 2011

gisa886:
In all honesty I probably would have lost my job because I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut. I am glad people spoke up.

I was about to open my mouth, but one of the girls pulled me away because she was afraid that the woman would come after me. I wanted to SO BADLY!!

Leigha12 · December 2011

I agree, I think you made the right decision. The police officer may not know her history and not have reason to take the call more seriously. But if she's already "in the system", chances are CPS will take it seriously and hopefully do what's right.

PinkSapphires · December 2011

Thank you for doing the right thing today.

mommy~to~mj · December 2011

Absolutely, positively, 100% right decision. That is heartbreaking. I feel for those kids.

in my life · December 2011

I would have definitely filed a report with CPS. Those children need someone to advocate for them, and you were that person today.

Browneyedhunni85 · December 2011

You did the right thing. All I can think of is if she is doing those types of things in public imagine what she does behind closed doors. Those poor kids.

Ximena M · December 2011

HELL YES!

jmc1017 · December 2011

The case worker just called me back and said they are investigating tonight. Fingers crossed that those kids get away from this woman. I can't shake what happened. My heart is so broken.

HannahO28 · December 2011

How sad! I'm glad that strangers did the right thing for her kids by getting authorities involved at the time and calling by CPS. You did the right thing.

Just curious--how did you report her? Did you have her personal information?

jmc1017 · December 2011

HannahO28:
How sad! I'm glad that strangers did the right thing for her kids by getting authorities involved at the time and calling by CPS. You did the right thing.
Just curious--how did you report her? Did you have her personal information?

The customer who called the cops knew her from work or something and had her first name and address so I was able to give them that information.

mumegs · December 2011

Definitely the right thing to do - you always hear about those child abuse stories after the fact, and find out the kids wondered how the parents were never found out. If they go to their house and everything is fine, then no harm done, but I think you have to make those calls just in case

learningfromlife · December 2011

I agree with everyone else that you 110% did the right thing. I also agree with Gisa that I probably would have lost my job too because I would have lost my shiiit on her. There are a lot of situations I feel as though people should mind their own business but putting your abusive habits on full display makes it everyone's business, especially when you're targeting children who cannot defend themselves.

I truly hope they take the investigation seriously and I hope they get those kids counseling so they understand that her behavior is 100% not ok.

nikki.rzez · December 2011

Good decision. I work in retail and I had one customer a few months ago who was screaming at her kids (not just yelling, like bloody-murder screaming) and when I watched her drag her kid by the arm out of the store and force him into her van and in the carseat (he was probably about 6 in a full carseat)...she started literally punching him because he wouldn't stay sitting. This kid was actually screaming for help...so I proceeded to call the police with her plate number. Note on top of that, this wasn't even the kids mother, it was his aunt..his mother was still in the store when I called the police.

I cannot believe the things that people do to their children...

learningfromlife · December 2011

nikki.rzez:
Good decision. I work in retail and I had one customer a few months ago who was screaming at her kids (not just yelling, like bloody-murder screaming) and when I watched her drag her kid by the arm out of the store and force him into her van and in the carseat (he was probably about 6 in a full carseat)...she started literally punching him because he wouldn't stay sitting. This kid was actually screaming for help...so I proceeded to call the police with her plate number. Note on top of that, this wasn't even the kids mother, it was his aunt..his mother was still in the store when I called the police.
I cannot believe the things that people do to their children...

My sister wouldn't have arms left after that. I would rip them off her body and beat her with them... holy cow.