A monster through the front door

[jessilee82]

Today I made the most difficult decision ever. I called Child Protective Services on my brother and father. My brother cares for his girlfriends 3 children while she works. While my father has been there, he has started using the switch to 'discipline' the children. For those of you who don't know what a switch is, it's a thin flexible piece of wood cut from a tree or bush. When you're hit with it, it leaves raised red welts. And if often/hard enough it will make you bleed. My father once switched my brother so the whole back of his legs were red and bleeding.

Anyway so he's introduced that wonderful device to this woman's children. They are 5 or 6, 3ish and 2ish I believe. The middle one is a little wild.

They use the switch on this child. My father hoses down the little ones and while they scream and cry my father shouts things like "stop crying you fucking babies!" and "you little coward, don't you run from me" and tries to dunk the middle boy under water.

My mother called their mother to inform her of what was going on and she said she didn't know. She's gone from breakfast to bedtime. So she knew nothing. My brother allows it to happen because my brother isn't man enough to stand up to our father.

Knowing these children were going through hell and back just like I did as a kid, I called CPS. I know my family will hate me and act as though I no longer exist.

My father is no longer welcome in my home.

I don't want them to take the kids from the mom, because I believe she didn't know and is trying to be a 'good' parent. I want her to be pushed to get rid of my father and my brother. Anyone who can't protect their family, shouldn't have one.

I'm torn up to do this. Part of me still feels like it's betrayal, even if it's for the best. But knowing what was happening made my stomach churn, angry, and sad.

I'm not a great parent, but I would NEVER let someone harm my child.

[Csara]

That is horrible! Please know that you did the right thing.

[Deana]

you did the absolute RIGHT thing. It takes a lot of guts to do what you did and it 1000% in the best interest of those children. You may have saved their lives, for sure saved their psychological well-being.

You are strong - you put those kids' needs before yours.

[nisha]

While I can't imagine how hard it was on you, you certainly made the right choice!

While I believe in discipline, what he is doing to those children goes WAY above (below?) and beyond that! No child deserves to be treated and belittled that way!!
Good for you!

[jana]

Oh, my goodness! Good for you. Nobody should have to live like that.

(And not that I'm saying the mom is to blame, but she didn't notice any welts? The 6yo didn't tell her any of this?) Those poor kids.

[heather6773]

I feel so bad for those kids. I am so thankful you stepped in. At least by you stepping in you don't have to attend their funerals.

[RedBedHead]

Jessica
You absolutely did the right thing. I really hope that your family doesn't hold this against you but that behavior is despicable and the children absolutely needed to be protected.
I also have to wonder how the mother missed this.

[jessilee82]

I don't know. As the sole breadwinner, I know she works as often as she can. Since my brother does bathing and such, I guess I give her the benefit of the doubt that she really hadn't had the chance to see.

My father is 'mooching' off them and my brother doesn't work so I guess I can reason it to myself that she was too busy. I don't know. I always want to see the best in people. Which is why I foolishly thought that with age and antidepressants that my father had changed from the cruel man he was when I was young.

[IUgrad02]

I am so so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I am with the others in saying that you did the right thing, hands down. Those poor children must have been terrified, and I hate that you had to live like that as a child. Please know we are hear if you need to vent, and you are a saint for helping those babies.

[HeavenLeigh]

You were absolutely RIGHT in calling CPS, I don't see it as a betrayal at all. I would do the same thing if I were in that situation. Your father is a grown man, he knows better. Those poor kids are the ones that are suffering, and as you know they will deal with the abuse for the rest of their lives. I'm proud of you, you done a great thing.