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While this won’t ever come to fruition—mostly because of its very Utopian vibe—forcing folks to take parenting tests to determine whether they’re fit to have kids is an idea a number of folks have suggested over the years. This would be one such occasion that would prompt the idea again.
A young lady recently shared a situation whereby she was given some clothes and beauty products by a friend’s dad only for her mother to take it all away, exchange it for store credit, and then proceed to get stuff for herself.
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Having kids is not just a duty—it is a privilege. Unfortunately, some parents don’t get it and proceed to do as they please
Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)
A teen shared how her gifts were taken away by her mom only to be traded in for store credit, and then Child Protective Services (CPS) got involved
Image source: aitanotsharing
Image credits: varyapigu (not the actual photo)
Needless to say, the mother was extra upset when her actions were noticed and the daughter’s friend’s dad called CPS
Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk (not the actual photo)
This story’s a short one: 13-year-old living with 3 of her siblings, plus one step-sibling, biological mom and stepdad under one roof. However, her and her siblings were never really all that taken care of.
A friend of hers noticed this and offered help. One thing led to another and his dad ended up getting some essentials for her. Unfortunately, the essentials were quickly traded in for store credit by the mom. Bold move—one that led to CPS getting involved. Now OP lives with her friend and his dad.
It was an immediate NTA—not the jerk—from the community. The general consensus was that it is the job of parents—and actually a privilege—to care for their kids. They made sure OP hears that she has done nothing wrong.
Others were quick to point out all the red flags in this predicament, starting with the stepdad not wanting her mother to work, but also not giving her money. Let alone, financially supporting the kids he took under his roof along with the woman. This is besides all the woman’s kids having to live in one room.
CPS gets involved in three major cases: physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
For context, CPS has a number of criteria that must be met to issue a report before starting an investigation.
CPS must be able to identify the subject of abuse as well as their location, figure out the jurisdiction that applies, determine the persons who are legally responsible for the kid, and, finally, investigate the allegations.
Everything up to the last bit is pretty easy to do for specialists. The trickier part comes with providing a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect. By reasonable, it means that two facts are at play: the reporter has information that suggests that a child has been hurt or harmed by a parent/person legally responsible for the child; and another experienced mandated reporter would suspect child abuse or neglect if given the same information.
If they have enough information, CPS will be able to register a report and start the investigation, which means following up with the family.
In OP’s case, CPS got involved because of the reported neglect, namely that a person legally responsible for her failed to provide a minimal degree of care.
So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Kick off the discussion in the comment section down below!
Folks in the comments ruled that the young lady did nothing wrong, calling for an NTA verdict
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What do you think ?
Tyke 1 year ago
The comment from her "we don't really talk except for when I clean her room". Her Mum is angry because she's been caught out and she damn well knows it. Poor OP doesn't even seem to realise how much she's been mistreated. Hopefully the friends Dad will get her therapy, but also talk to her about her situation as she doesn't seem to know where she stands at all. I hope CPS are looking into the brother's too as they are probably not being properly cared for either
Giraffy Window 1 year ago
The room cleaning comment actually started me questioning if this is actually a real story, or just some kid's "tragic suffering" fantasy.
Load More Replies...
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
A friend of mine found out her teenager's schoolfriend was being mistreated in an eerily similar fashion to this, and there as here it seems the kid was being specifically singled out by the so-called "parents" as the target for their abuse. Not being provided with basic necessities, extremely inappropriate sleeping arrangements, that sort of thing. Friend took the kid in and on hearing all this I said "do NOT ever let the 'parents' take them back because god knows what they might do next". Friend said "over my dead body". Fortunately it ended with the kid being allowed to stay. My friend has such a big heart and probably saved a life.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
Yeah, I find it hard to believe. Not because of the living conditions, returning stuff for credit, etc. No, I find it hard to believe because apparently CPS sent her to live with her friend and her friend's Dad. That seems pretty unbelievable to me. Not a relation, not a government vetted place, just "stay with your friend and their dad".
Load More Replies...
Red Reilly 1 year ago
OH my goodness, I forgot halfway through this that OP is a GIRL, sharing a room with her brothers while Step sister gets her own room. Hell NO. The whole thing is just Abuse, 100% abuse. She should NEVER have to go back there. Also note, the mum is angry she told.. not upset she isn't at home anymore.. just she got caught out..... Yeah no OP should never go back.
R F. 1 year ago (edited)
“Not his job to feed them…” I hope someone feeds him his fűcking teeth. Edit to add, criminals don’t like getting caught. That’s why “mom” (lowercase and quotes are intentional) is angry.
WonderWoman 1 year ago
Im calling BS. This is just too far and the op is just too far naive. That her friends dad bought her ALL that for Christmas - well over 1K and then was going to replace it all - nope, nope, nope. I could see the dad calling CPS before purchasing all those items, but come on. 4 pair of shoes - 20 shirts - glasses -backpack- nope it doesn't ring true at all. And why did the 22y/o move with them and is willing to share a bedroom with his 13 year old sister? She doesn't know where her father is - how does Mark expect him to pay support. Too many holes. I call BS
laura lee 1 year ago
No holes, this happens a lot, exactly like this. You are being naive
Load More Replies...
InfiniteZeek 1 year ago
"we don't really talk except for when I clean her room" Oh the RAAAAGE that is in me right now!!! I love the friend and his dad, they sound like good people. So glad she found them.
Fox with a Dragon Tattoo 1 year ago
If this is all real.. the mom is garbage and the step father needs to be jailed immediately for abuse. Made me sick to read. What trash
El Dee 1 year ago (edited)
This reminds me of someone I knew years ago. Every year her MIL would take her daughter to buy her school uniform. REALLY expensive and a huge saving for the mother. She didn't skimp, bought the good stuff that'd last. Turns out she'd return the uniforms and get cash back then buy the very cheapest she could get either at the supermarket or charity shops. She'd pocket the difference - still a huge amount. This happened for a few years before the MIL got wind of it (lived hundreds of miles apart) She carried on buying the uniforms but she took scissors to the labels so the couldn't be returned, problem solved. Neither MIL or the woman said anything about it to the other..
Tyke 1 year ago
The comment from her "we don't really talk except for when I clean her room". Her Mum is angry because she's been caught out and she damn well knows it. Poor OP doesn't even seem to realise how much she's been mistreated. Hopefully the friends Dad will get her therapy, but also talk to her about her situation as she doesn't seem to know where she stands at all. I hope CPS are looking into the brother's too as they are probably not being properly cared for either
Giraffy Window 1 year ago
The room cleaning comment actually started me questioning if this is actually a real story, or just some kid's "tragic suffering" fantasy.
Load More Replies... Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
A friend of mine found out her teenager's schoolfriend was being mistreated in an eerily similar fashion to this, and there as here it seems the kid was being specifically singled out by the so-called "parents" as the target for their abuse. Not being provided with basic necessities, extremely inappropriate sleeping arrangements, that sort of thing. Friend took the kid in and on hearing all this I said "do NOT ever let the 'parents' take them back because god knows what they might do next". Friend said "over my dead body". Fortunately it ended with the kid being allowed to stay. My friend has such a big heart and probably saved a life.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
Yeah, I find it hard to believe. Not because of the living conditions, returning stuff for credit, etc. No, I find it hard to believe because apparently CPS sent her to live with her friend and her friend's Dad. That seems pretty unbelievable to me. Not a relation, not a government vetted place, just "stay with your friend and their dad".
Load More Replies... Red Reilly 1 year ago
OH my goodness, I forgot halfway through this that OP is a GIRL, sharing a room with her brothers while Step sister gets her own room. Hell NO. The whole thing is just Abuse, 100% abuse. She should NEVER have to go back there. Also note, the mum is angry she told.. not upset she isn't at home anymore.. just she got caught out..... Yeah no OP should never go back.
R F. 1 year ago (edited)
“Not his job to feed them…” I hope someone feeds him his fűcking teeth. Edit to add, criminals don’t like getting caught. That’s why “mom” (lowercase and quotes are intentional) is angry.
WonderWoman 1 year ago
Im calling BS. This is just too far and the op is just too far naive. That her friends dad bought her ALL that for Christmas - well over 1K and then was going to replace it all - nope, nope, nope. I could see the dad calling CPS before purchasing all those items, but come on. 4 pair of shoes - 20 shirts - glasses -backpack- nope it doesn't ring true at all. And why did the 22y/o move with them and is willing to share a bedroom with his 13 year old sister? She doesn't know where her father is - how does Mark expect him to pay support. Too many holes. I call BS
laura lee 1 year ago
No holes, this happens a lot, exactly like this. You are being naive
Load More Replies... InfiniteZeek 1 year ago
"we don't really talk except for when I clean her room" Oh the RAAAAGE that is in me right now!!! I love the friend and his dad, they sound like good people. So glad she found them.
Fox with a Dragon Tattoo 1 year ago
If this is all real.. the mom is garbage and the step father needs to be jailed immediately for abuse. Made me sick to read. What trash
El Dee 1 year ago (edited)
This reminds me of someone I knew years ago. Every year her MIL would take her daughter to buy her school uniform. REALLY expensive and a huge saving for the mother. She didn't skimp, bought the good stuff that'd last. Turns out she'd return the uniforms and get cash back then buy the very cheapest she could get either at the supermarket or charity shops. She'd pocket the difference - still a huge amount. This happened for a few years before the MIL got wind of it (lived hundreds of miles apart) She carried on buying the uniforms but she took scissors to the labels so the couldn't be returned, problem solved. Neither MIL or the woman said anything about it to the other..
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