9 year old latchkey kid - Landlord Forum thread

9 year old latchkey kid by Anonymous on April 6, 2012 @09:44

I have a new tenant that is leaving her 9 year old son unattended an average of 3 hours a day. As a landlord , I am not sure if I should say anything or pretend I didn't notice. My other tenant and myself are home quite a bit and I do keep an eye out for him and he knows he can ring my doorbell if I am home if he needs anything. Stories are coming in from the neighbors that he is running wild and has done things like pee in a neighbors plants and ran his bike into a car on purpose. I talked directly to the child and said that I was hearing story, didn't know if they were true, but that he needed to make smart decisions and not let other kids get him into trouble.
The mother is probably not making enough money for child care and the child is well mannered, so ....should I mention some of the stories the neighborrs are bringing to me or wait to see if he behaves better now that he knows I know. I really believe the child needs more supervision. I also don't want to be in her business, but it takes a community to raise a child and I hope she would tell me if my son was having the same issues.
What is my responsibility as a landlord on this one?

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Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by Jake on April 6, 2012 @10:11	[ Reply ]

You should talk directly to the mother. Talk like you are concerned about the safety of the child then get into the stories about the child's behavior. Then tell the mother that eventually someone will report her to Social Services who will sent out an agent.

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by Anonymous (GA) on April 6, 2012 @10:11	[ Reply ]

Be very careful here. In my state, Georgia, it is illegal for any child under 12 to be left home alone. Additionally, the state is about to enact a new law that makes almost anyone a "mandated reporter" of child abuse. That means that anyone in GA who has knowledge of child abuse, which this is by law in GA, can go to jail if they fail to notify authorities. I am now on the hook to report any possible signs of child abuse of this kids I volunteer to watch in church nursery. Oh joy. So, depending on where you live, the mother's actions might be illegal, and you may be required by law to report them. As a human being, I would report this to child services. I was in an abusive and neglectful home growing up, and I wish I'd gotten some help. No one spoke up for me, and the abuse got worse. This is child abuse. If that child is running loose in the neighborhood, he could easily get hit by a car, burn himself making food, be sexually abused (as was my home alone husband when he was around this age), etc. We're talking about a 9 year old. I can't imagine my 7 year old son having so little supervision to keep him safe. I would call DFACS. No one is doing this child any favors by turning a blind eye. In my area, the schools have an after school program where kids can be cared for safely at school until 6 pm, free based on need. The YMCA in our state also offers after school care, which is free to those with demonstrated need. Many churches would step up too. Our Baptist church here has an extensive support program for single mom which provides child care, haircuts, dental care, medical care, car repairs, etc. free based on need. There's no excuse for this woman to neglect and endanger her son. Please help this woman find help in her area, and report her if she doesn't. Good luck, K

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by Betty L. on April 6, 2012 @10:12	[ Reply ]

Serve the parents with a 'Notice to Cure' as it relates to the incidents he was involved in.

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by Anonymous on April 7, 2012 @09:17	[ Reply ]

Let natural selection take its course.

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by jannie (IL) on April 7, 2012 @09:41	[ Reply ]

(Depending on the size of town) Some towns have "after school programs" for kids. I don't think a 9 year old kid is mature enough to be left on their own for 3 hours every day. Many times there are programs & services for low income familes to take advantage of regarding child care. I think it's your business as a landlord to get involved. Talk to the mother, or seek out some possible resources for her and tell her about them.

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid by P-Bone in WNY (NY) on April 9, 2012 @10:01	[ Reply ]

I would recommend that those witnessing the poor behavior be neighborly and take those comments directly to the mother. If I were in your shoes, it would be heresay with regard to any possible behavior unless I witnessed it myself. Therefore, I would inform those witnessing the action to either take it directly to the mother, or call any authorities they feel are appropriate. This would not be my place to intervene at this point in time.

Re: 9 year old latchkey kid