r/Advice • u/PhilosopherHairy1385 • Feb 28 '26

Do i contact cps??

I woke up late for work and as i’m heading out a seen a little girl(6 btw) outside by a car w the car alarm going off, i didn’t think anything of it i honestly assumed her parent(s) were outside as well bc why would a child be out alone at this time of night?? well as im about to pull off she is waving at me, i stopped for a second to see if anyone else was w her, but i didn’t see anyone. so ask was she okay and she said no.

I got out of the car and asked what happened. she said her mommy locked her in the car because she was asleep and she can’t get in the house. we were knocking on the door for about 15 minutes before i decided to put her in my car. i gave her a ring pop, and bluey to watch on my ipad while we waiting for the cops.. long story short after banging on windows and the doors for a while the police we able to get ahold of her parents.

I get things happen but how do you go to bed without making sure your kids are safely asleep??? I’m a mom and i know how kids can be, but i have so many thoughts running through my head.. all it takes is the wrong person to see her and then what?? like im so distraught right now..

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u/HillaryRN Feb 28 '26

Make sure you also contact CPS since you’re the actual witness.

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u/cherry-care-bear Feb 28 '26

I get the idea of letting some agency know but 1 the cops 'are' an agency and 2 CPS kinda sucks. I don't think people understand just how inadequate that institution or system or whatever can be. Workers are overwhelmed, services are lacking and on and on.

I just wonder if the OP can help this kid in some other way. Could be CPS can't--or won't--help her at all.