Q: Should I report this person to the police?
I have an old friend. She has two biological children and a step daughter. She treats these children HORRIBLY. She’s the walking definition of FTK and has stated multiple times that she wish didn’t have children. She’s mentioned she hates her youngest, has called step daughter many profanities as well as threatening the girl’s mother and keeps her oldest out of school. One night she confessed to me that a few years ago she gave birth to a baby boy, suffocated him and had her oldest child help bury him in her grandmother’s yard. She also mentioned giving birth to a baby girl but didn’t go into details about it. I believe the baby girl may have met the same fate as well. Putting in consideration her behavior and the way she treats the children, I am very concerned for them. I have identified the grandmother (now deceased) and the house she mentioned. Even though she showed no proof, I fully believe her statements.
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A:
If you have reason to believe a child is in danger or has been harmed, you should report your concerns to the police or child protective services immediately. The allegations you've mentioned are very serious, and if they are true, the children may be in immediate danger. The authorities have the expertise to investigate such matters and to take the necessary steps to protect the children.
When reporting, provide as much detail as possible to help the authorities in their investigation. You do not need to have proof of the allegations to make a report; a reasonable suspicion is enough. It is better to err on the side of caution in situations where a child’s safety is at risk. Remember, you could be providing crucial help in preventing further harm.
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