Moral Dilemma?

[Magageddon]

So I work as a water operator in a small town and part of my job is to deliver notices for failure to pay the water bill and if it comes to it, turning the water off. I've seen a lot of sad stuff, but one place has been really digging at me. The house has been on sheriff sale multiple times, the water has been shut off now for almost 2 months for failure to pay, and I know the house has a boiler heater system, meaning that's their main source of heat. the house is currently occupied by a mom and her 2 small kids. I went to check the ert on the side of the house the other day and the smell from the trash/dirty diapers in the drive way was very bad.

I guess my question is would you report them to cps? Has anyone ever reported anyone to cps before?

Sorry if this post/question comes off weird, I've just never dealt with anything like this before

[k_obeastly]

I'm unmarried with no children so feel free to disregard anything I say in matters such as this.

Do you see a chance for the situation improving without outside interference?
Is there a local church that might be willing to help out with some of their expenses or property clean up. Calling CPS or letting it go both seem to come with wondering/regret, maybe there is an option C.

[Shaftski]

does your town have a code enforcement officer or something like that? if there is excessive outside trash, try calling that dept if you have one. it's a health hazard for neighbors and will attract vermin.

that deals with the obvious problem, if there are other problems usually that officer can inform other depts to act.

[XEMON]

Unfortunately CPS will not do anything other than filing a report and walking away... (Unless the kids are doing regular trips to the ER ... and even that's not a guarantee ...) Also, if they ever try to get help, a CPS report can be used to denied them service and support.

If you really want to help, getting them in touch with local NGOs and support organizations (food bank, housing, mental health, ...).

You mentioned being in a small town, do you know their situation? Are they open to getting help?

Just my 2ct ...

[Nish]

A local capstone/community action agency may be a valid option C. They work a lot helping people that are in the path to homeless or otherwise struggling. I don't think they usually initiate contact but with someone coming to them with concerns they might be willing.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Try talking to the mother your self? See if you can get more info before making a decision. .

[redsquirrel]

The last time I tried to help in a situation like this, it backfired big time and I became way more involved than I ever wanted to be. I’m not swayed from helping in the future should another opportunity arise, but I will put more planning/thought into it. You’re on the right track for asking these questions in the first place.

My advice, similar to the above, would be to find someone in your community that has experience with poverty or someone whose job it is to help people in these circumstances. For the latter, I’d lean more into nonprofits vs. government like CPS/Police, at least to start.

[Levi]

Wife and I were foster parents many years ago before we had our own kids. From the kids we've seen and stories we've heard (from the kids and social workers). There is plenty of abuse that happens in the foster system.

Unless you see evidence of abuse, I'd stay away from getting CPS involved. Finding an "option c" is probably the best shot at actually helping.

[Euphie]

As someone who grew up in really poor circumstances CPS really didn't help us, my parents would always coach us on what we should say and they would just file a report and nothing would come of it. That doesn't mean it isn't worth trying, but I wouldn't get your hopes up of real improvement in the situation, but it doesn't sound like it can get much worse without someone getting hurt.

[Number six]

If you are so inclined, you could try talking to a church, and seeing if they could maybe take up a collection to bring the water bill current, or at least get the pastor to go see what the issue is before doing so. I doubt taking up the collection within your dept is allowed, but maybe. She'd be better off in an apartment for lower utilities, but that involves a deposit and employment status in most cases, and we presumably don't know hers.

[Deerslayer]

I'm with Number six - contact the local church and talk to the pastor. Virtually every church around helps out those in need.

[Pyrate Jim]

Often there are anonymous tips known as "wellness checks" where you don't get involved.
Unfortunately, if there is a problem the State gets involved with the Courts.
I would not wish that on any parent, especially a struggling parent. I've seen it, it ain't pretty or good for either the children or the parents.

It's a moral dilemma.
You can ignore it and let things happen according to god's will, or you can report it to authorities and hope they will get help while knowing it could make things worse for them.
If you really want to get invested, you could set them up a "gofundme" type page. Otherwise the best bet might be the more common suggestion, try to go through a local church or other organization that is public, not governmental.

[coyote]

Call whatever your equivalent of Health and Human services is and ask for some advice. They may offer you the ability to ask the right questions. I have had some similar situations crop up in my life and that agency was helpful.

[Tarsun2]

thats a heavy moral weight to lift but, are you in a position to do that kind of heavy lifting...? id stay the course and keep doing what you're doing. the fact that you even considered helping in some way and asking others for advice is more than most people would do.
if the opportunity arises to help, thats one thing; but i would not go too far out of my way.

i have 2 kids and i know how much work it is.
i also drive a mazda 3 with 200,000 miles on it to keep costs down.
If i dont have lunch, ill eat ramen noodles instead of buying lunch.
i dont know this persons situation at all but i do know what its like to sacrifice.