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Mom Leaves Kids On Son’s Porch Without Warning, Neighbor Calls Police, He Reports Her To CPS
Two worried children sitting on the floor against a door, illustrating concern in a possible family neglect situation.

Mom Leaves Kids On Son’s Porch Without Warning, Neighbor Calls Police, He Reports Her To CPS

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We’ve all had unexpected visitors, but nothing screams plot twist like coming home to find police at your door and two unsupervised children dropped off like a surprise Amazon package.

Today’s Original Poster (OP), out for a relaxing city date with his girlfriend, returned home to find the police with his sisters after their mom had dropped them off before bolting off to another city. After calling CPS, he faced backlash from his sister who insisted he overreacted.

More info: Reddit

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    You think you’re stepping out for a chill afternoon with your significant other, and the next thing you know, you’re being told your sisters are at your place with the police

    Man hugs woman on city street during autumn, illustrating family reaction to mom leaving little sisters alone.

    Image credits: Gera Cejas / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The author and his girlfriend were out when his mother dropped off his two young sisters at his empty house without warning

    Text excerpt from a man explaining why he called CPS after finding his little sisters left alone at his empty house.

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    Text describing a man finding out his little sisters were left at his empty house, leading him to call CPS and family reactions.

    Image credit: ZayXFactor

    Two young siblings sitting on a floor inside an empty house, appearing sad and comforted by each other.

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    His neighbor saw the unattended children and called the police, prompting an official response

    Text describing a man finding out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and calling CPS amid family disagreement.

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    Man finds out mom left little sisters at his empty house and calls CPS while family says he overreacted.

    Text describing a man finding out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and calling CPS, family claims he overreacted.

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    Image credit: ZayXFactor

    Two city cops in uniform outside a house discussing a case involving a man who called CPS about his sisters.

    Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Upon his return, he was angry at his mother’s repeated neglectful behavior, and called CPS to report the incident

    Text from a conversation explaining police questioning after mom left little sisters at an empty house without notice.

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    Text excerpt showing a man calls CPS after finding mom left little sisters at his empty house, family says he overreacted.

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    Man discovers mom left his little sisters at his empty house, calls CPS, and faces family backlash.

    Image credit: ZayXFactor

    His sister then criticized him for overreacting, saying that it wasn’t that big a deal especially because the girls were okay

    The OP and his girlfriend were out for a date in the city. His dad, who lived with him, also left shortly after, so the house was completely void of people. Unbeknownst to them, while they were out, his mother showed up and dropped off his two younger sisters, aged 7 and 9, at his home. She didn’t call, text, or leave any kind of message.

    A concerned neighbor, seeing the children left unattended, called the police, so when the OP and his girlfriend returned, they were met by officers investigating potential child neglect. The OP stated that this wasn’t the first time the mother has acted recklessly. A few years earlier, she had dropped them off at an aunt’s home, not taking into consideration that the she was at work.

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    Now, upon learning that his mother was in another city and hadn’t even attempted to reach him, he made the tough call to Child Protective Services (CPS). The kids remained with him, safe and supervised, but then his sister called him to say he had overreacted and didn’t need to involve authorities.

    According to Co4Kids, child neglect occurs when a parent, guardian, or caregiver fails to meet a child’s basic needs. This can take several forms including abandoning a child without arranging proper supervision, or leaving a caregiver without the necessary resources to care for the child. These actions, whether intentional or not, place children at serious risk and are recognized as neglect under child welfare guidelines.

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    Young woman wearing a red beanie makes a serious phone call after discovering mom left little sisters at empty house.

    Image credits: benzoix / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    JWB Family Law emphasizes that calling CPS is a serious decision meant for situations where a child’s safety or well-being is genuinely at risk. CPS should not be contacted over minor disagreements, but rather when there’s clear danger, harm, or neglect from a caregiver or parent.

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    They state that if a person knows or even suspects that a child is in danger and fails to act, they may also be held accountable for neglecting their duty to protect the child. Reporting in such cases is not only appropriate, it’s essential.

    However, it is not uncommon for a caregiver to feel upset after they have been reported to CPS, and Virtual Lab School affirms this. They state that family members might feel anger, sometimes lashing out at the person who made the report. They may feel accused or misunderstood and try to justify their actions by downplaying the issue or shifting blame.

    Netizens strongly supported the OP’s decision to call CPS, with many emphasizing the clear irresponsibility of his mother’s actions. They highlighted the potential risks if the situation had gone unnoticed, stressing that involving authorities was necessary to prevent future harm.

    What would you have done if you found yourself in this situation? Would you have called CPS or handled it differently? We would love to know your thoughts!

    Netizens insisted that the author did nothing wrong, and that the sisters were “okay” because the neighbor might have saved them from potential danger

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    Reddit comments discussing a man finding out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and calling CPS.

    Reddit user discusses man finding out mom left little sisters at his empty house and calling CPS, family disagrees.

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    Screenshot of an online discussion about a man who found his little sisters alone and called CPS.

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    Screenshot of an online discussion about a man finding out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and called CPS.

    Screenshot of an online comment discussing a man finding out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and calling CPS.

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    Comment text discussion about mom leaving little sisters at empty house and calling CPS viewed as responsible action.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment praising a man for responsibly calling CPS after mom left his little sisters alone.

    Comment discussing a man who calls CPS after finding his mom left his little sisters alone at his empty house.

    Comment discussing a man calling CPS after his mom left his little sisters alone at his empty house.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man who found out his mom left his little sisters at his empty house and called CPS.

    Man reads online comment about calling CPS after mom left little sisters at his empty house, family claims overreaction.

    Screenshot of an online comment discussing concerns after man finds out mom left his little sisters alone, calls CPS, family reacts.

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    Comment from a CPS investigator supporting man who called CPS after mom left sisters at his empty house.

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    Poll Question

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    What do you think ?
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't even drop my adult friends off without waiting to make sure they get inside. Who does this to children?!?

    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My closest friend gets irked that I wait to see the door open but later tells me how much she appreciates it.

    Load More Replies...
    The Other Guest
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Loving (sarcastic) the "it's OK because the kids are fine" attitude. Sure, they're fine *this time,* but what about the next? "Oh, I always let Little Johnny play with the kitchen knives; he hasn't bled to death yet so it's OK."

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the kids were actually fine, CPS wouldn't do anything.

    Load More Comments
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't even drop my adult friends off without waiting to make sure they get inside. Who does this to children?!?

    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My closest friend gets irked that I wait to see the door open but later tells me how much she appreciates it.

    Load More Replies...
    The Other Guest
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Loving (sarcastic) the "it's OK because the kids are fine" attitude. Sure, they're fine *this time,* but what about the next? "Oh, I always let Little Johnny play with the kitchen knives; he hasn't bled to death yet so it's OK."

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the kids were actually fine, CPS wouldn't do anything.

    Load More Comments
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