Is there anything I can do?

[Cataholic]

If it is nothing, then no harm done except a wake up to them that people are observant, and if it is something, you may be the reason that child is spared any more trauma in its' life.

It is anonymous, and your call can mean the difference in this persons life, and the lives of his parents!

Call!

Kym

I guess I must be the only person that will say, "I'd hesitate before making that call". I have seen first hand the devestation that CPS brings into one's world. No problem, if the person is guilty of abuse. Big problem if the person is NOT guilty. This has far reaching implications, and there is much harm done to someone's life, if things are not as they appear. An investigation, even one that doesn't result in action, remains on file. This can affect someone that is a teacher, works with children, has children, is in a custody dispute, etc.

Unless you are 100% (or pretty close) sure there is abuse going on, I would not call.

.

And then tonight, I drove past the house, and the little boy was taking out the trash! I understand chores, but like a huge full trash bag and beer boxes, all by himself! No one was around.

My 2.5 year old takes the trash out. He fights me to do it, no matter how full the can is. This is probably one of the high points of his week, seriously. He gets so excited when he sees that Grammy hasn't taken her cans in yet, and we get to do that when I drop him off.

I went back and re-read your OP. I just don't think I would make the call based on what you have said. I can't imagine CPS showing up to my door because someone called about Jonah bring in/taking out trashcans. I do know IF CPS showed up at my door, I would order them off the property, tell them to come back with a warrant, and call the best defense attorney that I could.

[Catty1]

What about the pot-smoking she witnessed, and the fact that the boy is there a lot of the time, if not actually living there full time?

Whenever I pull up to the house, the garage is open a crack on the bottom, and they see me and open the whole garage. She also reeks (I want to hold my nose) of marijuana, and her boyfriend will still be sitting in the garage just really out of it. So obviously she is smoking in her garage and gets the munchies and calls us out. Not too big of a deal though, what you do is what you do. But what I'm concerned about is that the 2nd and 3rd time I delivered, there is a little boy there..maybe 3-4 years old, and he too would run out the garage when he saw my car pull up. So she's doing drugs while I'm assuming her son is there, and even in the garage with her.

Or should she maybe just call, tell them what she has seen - and hopefully the intake worker can decide and tell her if it is worth pursuing or not?

They don't go in just because someone phones, do they?

[Cataholic]

I would not make a call unless she is absolutely, positively certain of what she thinks she saw.

Having said that, second hand smoke is second hand smoke. So, unless you are calling about anyone that smokes with their child in the home....well....

I am just not certain I would call CPS because I thought I smelled pot around someone that has a child.

[Prairie Purrs]

I'm with Cataholic on this one. I think you need to consider whether you've really witnessed child abuse, or whether you just disapprove of the parents' lifestyle.

[jackie]

I would not make a call unless she is absolutely, positively certain of what she thinks she saw.

Having said that, second hand smoke is second hand smoke. So, unless you are calling about anyone that smokes with their child in the home....well....

I am just not certain I would call CPS because I thought I smelled pot around someone that has a child.

I agree 100%.

Just because you get a "bad vibe" about this woman and her boyfriend, it is no reason to get involved based on the few minor things you have seen.

Had you seen any actual abuse, or hard drugs (not just the smell of marijuana) I would say notify the authorities, but I don't think this is enough.

[areias]

Alright guys, this is why I came to you. How about if I notice anything else wierd, or something else happens, I will contact the authorities. If not, then I'll leave it alone?

I just wasn't sure if what I was seeing was a "big deal" or not.