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78
“Left No Diapers, No Supplies, No Nothing”: Man Left With Toddler And No Choice But CPS
Family is supposed to help each other when the going gets tough. But when you don’t even have each other’s numbers, does that still apply, or are you just strangers who happen to share a last name?
Reddit user UsedFlight adhered to the latter. He was no longer in contact with his sister—until she dropped by unannounced and left her three-year-old on his doorstep. No diapers, and no return time—just a quick explanation that she needed to go to the hospital… and then she disappeared.
RELATED:
This man was estranged from his sister
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
But that didn’t stop her from leaving her son with him
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Daniel Martinez/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Rameez Remy/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: UsedFlight
Quickly after, the man clarified a few things
And although the woman’s decision probably wasn’t the best one, she likely made it due to a lack of options
According to the 12th annual Care.com 2025 Cost of Care Report, parents say they’re spending a whopping 22% of their household income on child care, with the average parent depleting 29% of their savings on child care costs alone. The report also shows that:
- The average weekly nanny cost is $827 (up 8% from $766 in 2023);
- The average weekly daycare cost is $343 (up 6.9% from $321 in 2023);
- The average weekly family care center cost is $344 (up 50% from $230 in 2023);
- And the average weekly babysitter cost is $167 (down 13% from $192 in 2023).
Because of this, most parents seek government support, and 87% highlighted that credits for care expenses are really helpful. In addition, 79% believe employers should help ease the burden by offering subsidized caregiving benefits.
Her brother probably wasn’t the woman’s first option. The study says parents regularly have to find new solutions to get through everyday life for reasons like schedule changes (31%), budget changes (26%), and needing one-time help (18%), and more than half (52%) anticipate it taking two months or more to find the right care solution.
All of this can take a tremendous toll. When asked specifically about the stress outcomes of managing their caregiving responsibilities, 90% of parents report losing sleep, 80% report crying (for moms, this increases to 90%), 75% report feeling a sense of dread, and 71% say they are experiencing health issues. A staggering 29% report they have considered s*****e or s*******m. Hopefully, the mom can overcome her hardships.
The replies were split; some said the man did nothing wrong
But some believe he should’ve been more understanding
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What do you think ?
Mark Childers 2 weeks ago
That's a really awful situation, and I feel sorry for everyone involved. But if a relative dropped off a toddler on my doorstep, I would have done the same thing. I have no idea what kids that age eat or like, and I don't have any supplies for them. My home isn't kid proofed, and I have cats. I wouldn't know if the kid had allergies or how to take care of them in general. There would have been nothing I could have done without help. Not sure what people expect of this guy.
Vain Black 1 week ago
Humans are so exceptionally programmed to care for children we often adopt other species just for fun. Like you and your cats. If you see a wounded bobcat you'd rescue it and turn it over to veterinary services. But this isn't a wild bobcat. It's a child that's related to you. CPS will go to great lengths to facilitate keeping a child with family instead of a "better" foster family. The siblings in the story obviously were failed first by their own parents, perhaps due to their early loss, and now the 3 year old has been set on the same path. Me and my siblings have faced a similar choice. We chose to end generational trauma, not perpetuate it.
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Atom Bohr 2 weeks ago
Everyone is commenting on how she just left the child, but no one seems to be commenting on the fact a 3 yo is still wearing nappies. A normally developing 3 yo shouldn't be in nappies, which suggests at least some level of neglect by the mother. If the child isn't developing normally, then that's even more reason for OOP not to be equipped to care for him at no notice and with no experience or resources. I hope this mother and child both get the help and support they need
Thanos'Fingers 2 weeks ago
That's what tipped you off to the neglect? The nappies? Not the dumping your child without supplies or directions on the doorstep of a person you don't see often or like?
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Realistic Expectations 2 weeks ago
This whole situation is just sad overall. As long as the sister could easily get the child back after improving in the hospital, I believe he did the right thing, especially since he was a student and had no way of contacting her.
Bookworm 2 weeks ago
Getting the child back easily shouldn't be a goal here. The goal should be making sure Mom gets the help she needs and toddler is in a safe, healthy environment. This typically takes time.
Load More Replies... Mark Childers 2 weeks ago
That's a really awful situation, and I feel sorry for everyone involved. But if a relative dropped off a toddler on my doorstep, I would have done the same thing. I have no idea what kids that age eat or like, and I don't have any supplies for them. My home isn't kid proofed, and I have cats. I wouldn't know if the kid had allergies or how to take care of them in general. There would have been nothing I could have done without help. Not sure what people expect of this guy.
Vain Black 1 week ago
Humans are so exceptionally programmed to care for children we often adopt other species just for fun. Like you and your cats. If you see a wounded bobcat you'd rescue it and turn it over to veterinary services. But this isn't a wild bobcat. It's a child that's related to you. CPS will go to great lengths to facilitate keeping a child with family instead of a "better" foster family. The siblings in the story obviously were failed first by their own parents, perhaps due to their early loss, and now the 3 year old has been set on the same path. Me and my siblings have faced a similar choice. We chose to end generational trauma, not perpetuate it.
Load More Replies... Atom Bohr 2 weeks ago
Everyone is commenting on how she just left the child, but no one seems to be commenting on the fact a 3 yo is still wearing nappies. A normally developing 3 yo shouldn't be in nappies, which suggests at least some level of neglect by the mother. If the child isn't developing normally, then that's even more reason for OOP not to be equipped to care for him at no notice and with no experience or resources. I hope this mother and child both get the help and support they need
Thanos'Fingers 2 weeks ago
That's what tipped you off to the neglect? The nappies? Not the dumping your child without supplies or directions on the doorstep of a person you don't see often or like?
Load More Replies... Realistic Expectations 2 weeks ago
This whole situation is just sad overall. As long as the sister could easily get the child back after improving in the hospital, I believe he did the right thing, especially since he was a student and had no way of contacting her.
Bookworm 2 weeks ago
Getting the child back easily shouldn't be a goal here. The goal should be making sure Mom gets the help she needs and toddler is in a safe, healthy environment. This typically takes time.
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