Anonymous wrote:I stood in line at the Lion King in NYC and watched a 50 something grandmother drag her 5 year old kicking and yelling across a room. It was appalling and no one said a word.

Last thing I need is to be called a Karen and doxxed for calling out child abuse. It was extremely upsetting

We've had a few occasions over the years when our kids threw a temper tantrum and had to be picked up and carried out of a Target/Restaurant - and yes, it looks terrible, like they are being abducted.

Also, we have close friends whose child has mental problems and has to be restrained (until he calms down) a couple times a week. You shouldn't judge this woman simply because the situation made you feel uncomfortable. That's probably why no one said a word - because they are smart enough to realize that they don't know enough to deem it abuse.

Call the police to report disorderly conduct, which is what it is.

I stood in line at the Lion King in NYC and watched a 50 something grandmother drag her 5 year old kicking and yelling across a room. It was appalling and no one said a word.

Last thing I need is to be called a Karen and doxxed for calling out child abuse. It was extremely upsetting

This is really sad and I just picture this poor kid wondering why no one ever does something or says something. For that reason, I do think you must call the police.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your replies. I will be calling the police the second he starts up next week. I will call every week until it stops, and if it doesn’t after a few calls, I will contact CPS. I can’t just stand back and watch anymore.

You can do it OP.
Be brave. You won’t regret it.
We’re all rooting for you.

This is a typical type of hazing blue collar men do to boys. It's to build grit.

Stay out of it.

I like the idea of recording his shenanigans to have evidence. OP, you haven’t said if you have a male living with you or not. I don’t see the harm in going over and asking the guy why he yells so much at the kid and yells such harsh and abusive things at the kid. You can say it makes you wonder what happens at home behind closed doors. Feel free to say what you are witnessing is not normal.

By the way, can you share some examples of the kinds of things he says?

Call the police for a wellness check.

Say you’re hearing a dad scream abuse at his child and you’re worried it’s about to turn physical.

Then call again every time you hear it.

If he scares you he probably scares the child too. Get a ring camera. If the stepdad threatens you, then you can get a restraining order. The child has no options. You do.

OP here. Thanks for all your replies. I will be calling the police the second he starts up next week. I will call every week until it stops, and if it doesn’t after a few calls, I will contact CPS. I can’t just stand back and watch anymore.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with calling CPS. And call the police when it happens. Maybe a cruiser coming by with a noise complaint will shut him up next to your house. Anyone could have called.

yeah I agree with calling the police. Just say your neighbors have been yelling and carrying on for a while and you think it is some kind of domestic issue.

cps

Go to your neighbor and speak to them straight up, don't let them laugh it off. Tell them you will consider calling CPS if need be that frankly, they ought to have done it.

The people on thei board who will blast me for the are the same silent people who wonder why kids kill themselves and others are beaten to death. Stop posting and do somthing.

Three ways to handle this:

1) do nothing. may be the wisest;
2) If the stepfather is cursing or using vulgar language then you have your husband go over and tell the guy to cut it out as his wife (and kids?) are home - must be your husband. I don't make the rules:
3) I don't know if I will get people that agree, but honestly I feel like this is a fight fire with fire situation - meaning if your husband is willing and physically equal to the stepfather he should go over and tell him to shut the F up, etc. But that's a definite gauging the risk type situation. Sometimes these dudes just need another dude calling them out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with calling CPS. And call the police when it happens. Maybe a cruiser coming by with a noise complaint will shut him up next to your house. Anyone could have called.

The police know who calls, or at least the numbers, and that info can be foia’d.

Most people are not going to send a FOIA request. Especially for a general noise complaint. He is probably wondering when someone is going to call the cops.

He will take it out on the kid, though.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with calling CPS. And call the police when it happens. Maybe a cruiser coming by with a noise complaint will shut him up next to your house. Anyone could have called.

The police know who calls, or at least the numbers, and that info can be foia’d.