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“Left No Diapers, No Supplies, No Nothing”: Man Left With Toddler And No Choice But CPS
Family is supposed to help each other when the going gets tough. But when you don’t even have each other’s numbers, does that still apply, or are you just strangers who happen to share a last name?
Reddit user UsedFlight adhered to the latter. He was no longer in contact with his sister—until she dropped by unannounced and left her three-year-old on his doorstep. No diapers, and no return time—just a quick explanation that she needed to go to the hospital… and then she disappeared.
RELATED:
This man was estranged from his sister
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
But that didn’t stop her from leaving her son with him
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Daniel Martinez/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Rameez Remy/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: UsedFlight
Quickly after, the man clarified a few things
And although the woman’s decision probably wasn’t the best one, she likely made it due to a lack of options
According to the 12th annual Care.com 2025 Cost of Care Report, parents say they’re spending a whopping 22% of their household income on child care, with the average parent depleting 29% of their savings on child care costs alone. The report also shows that:
- The average weekly nanny cost is $827 (up 8% from $766 in 2023);
- The average weekly daycare cost is $343 (up 6.9% from $321 in 2023);
- The average weekly family care center cost is $344 (up 50% from $230 in 2023);
- And the average weekly babysitter cost is $167 (down 13% from $192 in 2023).
Because of this, most parents seek government support, and 87% highlighted that credits for care expenses are really helpful. In addition, 79% believe employers should help ease the burden by offering subsidized caregiving benefits.
Her brother probably wasn’t the woman’s first option. The study says parents regularly have to find new solutions to get through everyday life for reasons like schedule changes (31%), budget changes (26%), and needing one-time help (18%), and more than half (52%) anticipate it taking two months or more to find the right care solution.
All of this can take a tremendous toll. When asked specifically about the stress outcomes of managing their caregiving responsibilities, 90% of parents report losing sleep, 80% report crying (for moms, this increases to 90%), 75% report feeling a sense of dread, and 71% say they are experiencing health issues. A staggering 29% report they have considered s*****e or s*******m. Hopefully, the mom can overcome her hardships.
The replies were split; some said the man did nothing wrong
But some believe he should’ve been more understanding
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What do you think ?
Mark Childers 8 months ago
That's a really awful situation, and I feel sorry for everyone involved. But if a relative dropped off a toddler on my doorstep, I would have done the same thing. I have no idea what kids that age eat or like, and I don't have any supplies for them. My home isn't kid proofed, and I have cats. I wouldn't know if the kid had allergies or how to take care of them in general. There would have been nothing I could have done without help. Not sure what people expect of this guy.
Vain Black 8 months ago
Humans are so exceptionally programmed to care for children we often adopt other species just for fun. Like you and your cats. If you see a wounded bobcat you'd rescue it and turn it over to veterinary services. But this isn't a wild bobcat. It's a child that's related to you. CPS will go to great lengths to facilitate keeping a child with family instead of a "better" foster family. The siblings in the story obviously were failed first by their own parents, perhaps due to their early loss, and now the 3 year old has been set on the same path. Me and my siblings have faced a similar choice. We chose to end generational trauma, not perpetuate it.
Load More Replies...
Atom Bohr 8 months ago
Everyone is commenting on how she just left the child, but no one seems to be commenting on the fact a 3 yo is still wearing nappies. A normally developing 3 yo shouldn't be in nappies, which suggests at least some level of neglect by the mother. If the child isn't developing normally, then that's even more reason for OOP not to be equipped to care for him at no notice and with no experience or resources. I hope this mother and child both get the help and support they need
Thanos'Fingers 8 months ago
That's what tipped you off to the neglect? The nappies? Not the dumping your child without supplies or directions on the doorstep of a person you don't see often or like?
Load More Replies...
Realistic Expectations 8 months ago
This whole situation is just sad overall. As long as the sister could easily get the child back after improving in the hospital, I believe he did the right thing, especially since he was a student and had no way of contacting her.
Bookworm 8 months ago
Getting the child back easily shouldn't be a goal here. The goal should be making sure Mom gets the help she needs and toddler is in a safe, healthy environment. This typically takes time.
Load More Replies...
Earonn - 8 months ago
That's what proper child services are for. It's not always "they take away the child and you'll never see it again". OP did the right thing.
Ge Po 8 months ago
In my experience, childcare services will often try to place a child with family, or are open to the possibility at least. In such cases, they will first use some time to find out what the needs of the child are (special needs on either health or mental capacity),, then help the family with the transition. So this may have gotten a good result in the end, that we just not know about.
Load More Replies... Kit Black 8 months ago
The number of holier than thou comments makes my hand itch... if it's that d**n easy, how come none of you are foster parents? Poor dude did exactly the right thing.
Rachel Kennemer 8 months ago
It is way easier to babysit a kid for a few days than to fight the government to get your kid back. Idk about Canada but family court in the USA is expensive. As another person said, foster parenting requirements don't all apply to family, and there's a reason. Children are better off with family, usually.
Load More Replies...
Ge Po 8 months ago
For the YTA's, He did not suddenly have the responsibility to take care of a 3 year old. Instead, he suddenly was facing the challenge to care for a 3 year old, who barely knows him, who's one stable person (mom) is suddenly away, who may have gone through some very stressful weeks or months leading up to this episode, without even knowing how to care for a 'normal,' happy 3 year old who knows mommy will be back tomorrow. Considering the fact that he also works and studies and will not be able to just drop everything, especially since he would also need to keep a stable situation for exactly that 3 year old, the best option would be to leave the child into the care of people who are used to deal with (small, frightened, traumatized) children in these situations. NAL, but a healthcare worker. If you should ever face a similar situation, try to find a way for the sick/incapacitated sibling to acknowledge you as 'next of kin.' Preferably before anything like this happens.
Tabitha 8 months ago
Sister dumped her child, unannounced and without even a change of clothes, on her brother who is not equipped to take care of a toddler, and for what? So she could check into a hospital for her mental health? CPS should’ve been involved already anyway, brother just gave them the heads up. He did the right thing, considering the circumstances. BTW, the child has a father, so one wonders if he’s in the picture, and if not why not? Or if sister even knows who he is. Really messed up situation all around. Poor little toddler.
Load More Replies...
Jan 8 months ago
The belief that everyone is required to turn their lives upside down and destroy their own futures because someone related by blood insists they do so needs to stop. My sister was an invalid and I was continuing to work full time with a cancer diagnosis myself. Sister was in the hospital needing 24 hour care and the social worker tried her best to shame me into taking her so that they could discharge her in spite of my own health issues. I refused and they found a place for her in another facility. No one should be made to feel guilty for knowing their own limits. Trying to force these things on someone is not okay just because they are family. Of course if they do take on the responsibility as soon as they cannot handle it or get any outside help themselves we can all jump on them for abuse and neglect. NTA
Ge Po 8 months ago
I agree. And it is never a great idea anyway to take in a (traumatized) child when you are insecure (completely oblivious to how) and don't have the resources, especially regarding time/attention, to take care of it. The child needs a stable environment. An barely know or unknown uncle who's half in panic is not able to provide that.
Load More Replies...
James016 8 months ago
The YTA's are starving their brains of oxygen. I'm amazed OP waiting as long as 4 hours to call for help from the authorities.
BK BigFish 8 months ago
I'm guessing he called faster than that, it just took 4 hours for them to show up! Also, what are the YTA thinking, CPS are professionals trained for these situations, if your house is burning should you fight it with your garden hose, or call the fire department?
Load More Replies...
Vinny DaPooh 8 months ago
Based on their comments we can tell none of the YTAs understand how a bureaucracy works. Oh, it's simple just go to CPS and get the benefits they give you. Nope. Usually it takes months of paperwork to get help from the government.
Mark Childers 8 months ago
That's a really awful situation, and I feel sorry for everyone involved. But if a relative dropped off a toddler on my doorstep, I would have done the same thing. I have no idea what kids that age eat or like, and I don't have any supplies for them. My home isn't kid proofed, and I have cats. I wouldn't know if the kid had allergies or how to take care of them in general. There would have been nothing I could have done without help. Not sure what people expect of this guy.
Vain Black 8 months ago
Humans are so exceptionally programmed to care for children we often adopt other species just for fun. Like you and your cats. If you see a wounded bobcat you'd rescue it and turn it over to veterinary services. But this isn't a wild bobcat. It's a child that's related to you. CPS will go to great lengths to facilitate keeping a child with family instead of a "better" foster family. The siblings in the story obviously were failed first by their own parents, perhaps due to their early loss, and now the 3 year old has been set on the same path. Me and my siblings have faced a similar choice. We chose to end generational trauma, not perpetuate it.
Load More Replies... Atom Bohr 8 months ago
Everyone is commenting on how she just left the child, but no one seems to be commenting on the fact a 3 yo is still wearing nappies. A normally developing 3 yo shouldn't be in nappies, which suggests at least some level of neglect by the mother. If the child isn't developing normally, then that's even more reason for OOP not to be equipped to care for him at no notice and with no experience or resources. I hope this mother and child both get the help and support they need
Thanos'Fingers 8 months ago
That's what tipped you off to the neglect? The nappies? Not the dumping your child without supplies or directions on the doorstep of a person you don't see often or like?
Load More Replies... Realistic Expectations 8 months ago
This whole situation is just sad overall. As long as the sister could easily get the child back after improving in the hospital, I believe he did the right thing, especially since he was a student and had no way of contacting her.
Bookworm 8 months ago
Getting the child back easily shouldn't be a goal here. The goal should be making sure Mom gets the help she needs and toddler is in a safe, healthy environment. This typically takes time.
Load More Replies... Earonn - 8 months ago
That's what proper child services are for. It's not always "they take away the child and you'll never see it again". OP did the right thing.
Ge Po 8 months ago
In my experience, childcare services will often try to place a child with family, or are open to the possibility at least. In such cases, they will first use some time to find out what the needs of the child are (special needs on either health or mental capacity),, then help the family with the transition. So this may have gotten a good result in the end, that we just not know about.
Load More Replies... Kit Black 8 months ago
The number of holier than thou comments makes my hand itch... if it's that d**n easy, how come none of you are foster parents? Poor dude did exactly the right thing.
Rachel Kennemer 8 months ago
It is way easier to babysit a kid for a few days than to fight the government to get your kid back. Idk about Canada but family court in the USA is expensive. As another person said, foster parenting requirements don't all apply to family, and there's a reason. Children are better off with family, usually.
Load More Replies... Ge Po 8 months ago
For the YTA's, He did not suddenly have the responsibility to take care of a 3 year old. Instead, he suddenly was facing the challenge to care for a 3 year old, who barely knows him, who's one stable person (mom) is suddenly away, who may have gone through some very stressful weeks or months leading up to this episode, without even knowing how to care for a 'normal,' happy 3 year old who knows mommy will be back tomorrow. Considering the fact that he also works and studies and will not be able to just drop everything, especially since he would also need to keep a stable situation for exactly that 3 year old, the best option would be to leave the child into the care of people who are used to deal with (small, frightened, traumatized) children in these situations. NAL, but a healthcare worker. If you should ever face a similar situation, try to find a way for the sick/incapacitated sibling to acknowledge you as 'next of kin.' Preferably before anything like this happens.
Tabitha 8 months ago
Sister dumped her child, unannounced and without even a change of clothes, on her brother who is not equipped to take care of a toddler, and for what? So she could check into a hospital for her mental health? CPS should’ve been involved already anyway, brother just gave them the heads up. He did the right thing, considering the circumstances. BTW, the child has a father, so one wonders if he’s in the picture, and if not why not? Or if sister even knows who he is. Really messed up situation all around. Poor little toddler.
Load More Replies... Jan 8 months ago
The belief that everyone is required to turn their lives upside down and destroy their own futures because someone related by blood insists they do so needs to stop. My sister was an invalid and I was continuing to work full time with a cancer diagnosis myself. Sister was in the hospital needing 24 hour care and the social worker tried her best to shame me into taking her so that they could discharge her in spite of my own health issues. I refused and they found a place for her in another facility. No one should be made to feel guilty for knowing their own limits. Trying to force these things on someone is not okay just because they are family. Of course if they do take on the responsibility as soon as they cannot handle it or get any outside help themselves we can all jump on them for abuse and neglect. NTA
Ge Po 8 months ago
I agree. And it is never a great idea anyway to take in a (traumatized) child when you are insecure (completely oblivious to how) and don't have the resources, especially regarding time/attention, to take care of it. The child needs a stable environment. An barely know or unknown uncle who's half in panic is not able to provide that.
Load More Replies... James016 8 months ago
The YTA's are starving their brains of oxygen. I'm amazed OP waiting as long as 4 hours to call for help from the authorities.
BK BigFish 8 months ago
I'm guessing he called faster than that, it just took 4 hours for them to show up! Also, what are the YTA thinking, CPS are professionals trained for these situations, if your house is burning should you fight it with your garden hose, or call the fire department?
Load More Replies... Vinny DaPooh 8 months ago
Based on their comments we can tell none of the YTAs understand how a bureaucracy works. Oh, it's simple just go to CPS and get the benefits they give you. Nope. Usually it takes months of paperwork to get help from the government.
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