I know I've done the right thing...so why do I feel uneasy about it!

[Daisy and Delilah]

As everyone has already said; you did the right thing. Did they take the kids? It makes me sick to think what could have happened if you hadn't stepped in. Enough has happened already and somebody had to stop it. Great job!! Bless those poor little children who have been prisoners in that house. We need more people like you in the world.

Terry

[Muddy4paws]

Definatly done the right thing, that lady doesnt deserve the children if shes to treat them like that, They will have to to thank in the long run.

[Jennsen]

Well...it's been really quiet over there all afternoon. I thought they were home, but she just now pulled up in a very run down old van(I've never seen her drive, they walk everywhere rain or shine. Not to get off the subject here, but my nice neighbors offered to buy her a car last month and she very rudely refussed) She and all 4 kids just piled out of the van, all 4 were bawling, and she was behind them screaming to hurry up the stairs(there are 12 very steep wooden stairs to their front door).
I must say I'm quite disappointed that she still has little Emma(the one locked outside), but now that I've made the first step as to calling her in, I will not let her continue this abuse...I'm going to call DHS until they do something there!
Thank you for all your replies! For everyone I read, I feel better about what I've done, and I feel stronger to continue until they're safe!

Jenn

[Jennsen]

P.S. I just found out they had a 3 month old baby die a year ago. They said it was from a high fever and the doctors in Alabama, where they are from didnt treat him correctly. Hmmmmmmm.....makes you wonder what really happened Last I heard doctors in Alabama had to pass the same medical exams and take the same kind of college medical studies as any other doctor

[Glacier]

Originally posted by Jennsen

I must say I'm quite disappointed that she still has little Emma(the one locked outside),Jenn

It takes an extraordinary amount of evidence to remove a child from their home. If Emma denied it or didn't give details, they wouldn't have had enough to remove her. Child protection laws are written, in most places, to keep kids with their families as much as possible. It takes tons of solid evidence and court appearances to remove a child--even in a life or death situation a social worker has to appear in front of a judge to get a warrant to remove a child. (can be done by phone in a dire emergency)
Keep calling if you see anything else. Every little bit will help those kids in the long run.

[jenluckenbach]

What an utterly disgusting example of the human race.

You did the best thing possible. Keep track of all evidence you see or hear. Don't give up! Those kids need you!

[Pam]

You absolutely did the right thing. Now let's hope no one *drops the ball* on these kids. I was just reading tonight in my local paper about a woman who was abusing her stepchild. It started out with her putting her outside in the rain without the proper clothes on and escalated. The child was eventually sent to live with her natural mother, in another state, and then returned to her father and this horrid woman. How incredibly awful is that!! She eventually killed the little girl (4 years old). I don't even want to tell you how the little girl died. Please try and stay on top of this situation. You may save a life. Thank you for caring.

[Oggyflute]

The bottom line is, is that those kids are being abused, so you did good Jenn.

[king2005]

I tried to read all the posts, so I hope I'm not repeating something.

If u want to get those kids out keep lots of tape for that cam corder around & keep it pluged in with an extention cord..
Everytime u see her yelling or harming the children, record it. If the little girl is outside, take the came corder over to her & ask her whats wrong & where r ur parents & so on..

Thats hard evidence. Just remember to keep the date & time stamp up to date & mark each tape for day & time.

Also if u can, make copies of the tapes. I don't trust anyone & it would be terrible if the tapes went missing or broke.

If she says anything to u, record it & call the cops right away. Give them ur tape & show them the other tapes. Cops don't like child abuse & should help u out by keeping evidence & a record of all the terrible stuff going on over there.

[finn's mom]

Good for you. Keep a journal, too, of everything she does, that you don't catch on your camcorder. Just protect yourself, too, and, your family and property. Good luck, I think you are doing the right thing.