Guy Asked To Babysit, Realizes The Children Are Living In Shocking Neglect

When your job is to care for children, you’re not just keeping them entertained, you’re also responsible for their safety and well-being.

For this Redditor, that responsibility led to something he never imagined doing.

He had been hired to nanny four young children, but what he walked into was heartbreaking. The apartment was filthy, and there were no toys or books, no set bedtime, and the kids barely knew how to socialize. It was overwhelming.

The next day, he called CPS. And now, he can’t stop thinking about those little ones.

The man was hired as a nanny to take care of four young children

Three children playing on a cluttered floor in a messy living room highlighting kids living conditions concerns.

Image credits: Lobachad (not the actual photo)

But what he saw when he arrived was so disturbing that he felt compelled to call CPS

Babysitter heartbroken over kids living conditions, describes dirty floors, stained walls, and filthy carpet before calling CPS.

Children living in unsafe conditions with food scraps and debris, prompting babysitter to call CPS in concern.

Babysitter shocked by kids’ living conditions, caring for autistic child, and deciding to call CPS after witnessing neglect.

Text excerpt describing children lacking educational toys and a babysitter engaging them with kid-friendly songs during a dance party.

Text describing babysitter's experience with kids' living conditions and social challenges, highlighting heartbreak and concern.

Text describing a babysitter building trust gently with a child who shows signs of possible abuse in difficult living conditions.

Babysitter emotionally affected by kids’ living conditions, providing care and positive reinforcement during childcare.

Woman in maroon blouse talking emotionally while seated on gray couch discussing kids living conditions with others.

Image credits: Rido81 (not the actual photo)

Sad babysitter heartbroken over kids' living conditions describes physical affection and child's nightmares while asleep.

Babysitter describes heart-wrenching conditions while caring for kids, highlighting struggles with sleep and safety concerns.

Babysitter describes unsettling living conditions and unsupervised kids, leading to a heartbreaking CPS call.

Text reading about calling CPS and providing information to locate an apartment amid concerns about kids' living conditions.

CPS worker initially compassionate then distant after checking kids’ living conditions report from concerned babysitter.

Babysitter heartbroken over kids living conditions recalling deep emotional bond and calling CPS for help.

Text expressing a babysitter's emotional experience and desire to become a foster parent after witnessing kids' living conditions.

Image credits: ZEROs0000

In some jurisdictions, nannies are legally required to report child neglect

Witnessing a child potentially being mistreated is, by nature, incredibly distressing.

But how you respond can be complicated. Reporting a caregiver or contacting authorities is not only serious, but it can also bring a heavy emotional toll, especially when it feels like you’re intervening in someone else’s family.

Figuring out what to do in that moment isn’t always a purely moral choice. In some cases, it’s also a legal obligation.

According to the US Nanny Association, in 47 U.S. states, certain professionals are classified as mandated reporters.

While the rules vary slightly by state, this typically means that individuals in roles that involve direct contact with children—such as teachers, medical professionals, social workers, and law enforcement—are legally required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, even if they’re unsure of the full picture.

Because nannies also work closely with children, this legal obligation can apply to them, too.

In states like Indiana, New Jersey, and Wyoming, the law goes even further, requiring all individuals, regardless of profession, to report suspected mistreatment.

Having the law behind you can make it easier to act when fear or uncertainty might otherwise get in the way, says Ronald Mah, Ph.D., a California-based Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, author, and former child development center owner.

“This issue with viewing the obligation to report as solely a moral dilemma is that legal and ethical mandates help people push through the fear and anxiety surrounding making a report,” he told Nanny Magazine.

“People do immoral things. They are scared and may not report if there is just a moral issue at hand. When the legal and ethical responsibility is not clear, it is easy to make excuses and get away from, as individuals and as a profession, reporting suspected abuse and neglect,” he explained.

For the Redditor in this story, the emotional burden of what he witnessed clearly weighed heavily on him. But Mah says reframing how you see the action, not as an obligation, but as advocacy, can help.

“People often say, ‘I had to make a report.’ And that sounds a lot like having to pay taxes,” shared Mah. “That language indicates resistance to reporting. Instead of saying I had to make a report, or I had to speak up, changing the language to ‘I advocate for children’ can impact how you view your responsibility.”

Moreover, when faced with a difficult situation, many people work through it using either/or, or but-style, thinking:

“I can report or not report.”
“I was suspicious, but they are good people.”

The problem with “or” is that it frames the choice as exclusive. There’s no room for nuance. “But” creates hierarchy, where the second thought cancels out the first.

As Mah puts it: “This family treats me so well, but they do not pay me legally.” Is your employer really treating you well if they’re not doing what’s legally, ethically, or morally expected?

Instead, Mah encourages thinking in terms of “and.” It’s a small change that can alter your entire perspective.

“These people are nice and they are abusing children.” Both statements are true, and both are equally weighted. Both may reflect reality. When you think in terms of and, rather than “or” or “but,” the process of determining your next steps may be clearer.

Image credits: mverkhoturtseva (not the actual photo)

Some readers encouraged the author to consider becoming a foster parent, but he explained that he didn’t have the means to do so

Comment discussing foster care advice in response to babysitter heartbroken over kids living conditions and calling CPS.

Reddit user discusses babysitting experiences and calling CPS after witnessing kids’ heartbreaking living conditions and emotional impact.

Screenshot of an online discussion about babysitter concerns and emergency foster care for children in difficult living conditions.

Screenshot of an online conversation where a babysitter discusses meeting a mom through Care, highlighting concern for kids' living conditions.

Still, many offered words of support and reassured him that he had done the right thing

Comment expressing gratitude for calling CPS and taking action to protect children in heartbreaking living conditions.

Comment praising a mandated reporter for helping kids in heartbreaking living conditions that may have saved their lives.

Screenshot of a supportive online comment praising a babysitter for calling CPS over kids' living conditions and showing care.

Comment expressing gratitude for someone calling CPS after growing up in similar living conditions.

Screenshot of a heartfelt online comment thanking a babysitter for calling CPS after seeing kids' living conditions.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing gratitude after a babysitter called CPS over kids' living conditions.

Comment on a forum expressing gratitude for trusting instincts and reporting concerns about kids' living conditions to CPS.

Comment expressing support for a babysitter heartbroken over kids living conditions who called CPS seeking help.

Comment expressing gratitude and prayers for a babysitter heartbroken over kids' living conditions who called CPS.

Others chimed in with similar experiences of their own

Text excerpt from a babysitter describing abusive living conditions and emotional heartbreak leading to a CPS report.

Comment expressing support for a babysitter heartbroken over kids' living conditions and reporting to CPS for their safety.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment describing a babysitter witnessing poor kids living conditions and reporting to CPS.

Comment from social services worker highlighting lack of foster parents and urging support for kids' living conditions.

Comment about babysitter's heartbreak over kids' living conditions and experience calling CPS during suspected child abuse.

A babysitter looks heartbroken while observing poor kids' living conditions before making a call to child protective services.

Comment text on a white background reading You have a wonderful soul posted by user katie151515.

Screenshot of a heartfelt Reddit comment discussing a babysitter’s emotional response to kids’ living conditions and calling CPS.

Screenshot of a heartfelt comment expressing emotional impact related to babysitter left heartbroken over kids living conditions and CPS call.

Comment thanking a babysitter for reporting kids’ living conditions and hoping they get help after calling CPS.

Screenshot of an online comment praising a babysitter who called CPS over kids' living conditions and was heartbroken.

Comment expressing heartbreak over kids living conditions and support for babysitter who called CPS for their safety.

Babysitter emotional and heartbroken over children’s living conditions, reporting concerns to CPS after witnessing distressing environment.

Screenshot of an online comment thanking a babysitter for calling CPS over kids' living conditions with emotional impact.

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