What can I do about Harrassment from neighbors?

[momof3boys]

Since June 24th, when our neighbor's six year old son threw a rock at our sons head, causing him to bleed alot, and go to the ER, the neighbors have been very rude. We were told by officers at the hospital, to stay away from these neighbors and if they were to want to start something with us, to go into our home, lock the doors and call the police.

Since this has taken place, child protective services got involved due to the conditions at the home. The home itself is not in livable conditions. Broken windows that looks like something was thrown threw the window, and instead of replacing the window, they took some kind of tape to the window, still leaving the broken pieces which any child in that home can stick their hand in and cut themselves. The bedroom windows are broke and the locks are not working. The windows are the style that crank out to open, and the last time I was around the home, the six year old boy had half of his body outside the window, this being on a second story home. God forbid if something were to happen to this child.

The home inside is horriable. I wouldnt allow a animal in the home, yet alone a family. No food, No insurance. The kids are seen unsupervised outside their home for hours during the day. The six year old riding his bike. The kids are never called in to eat. But I can see that being because there is no food to feed them. Which is horriably sad. Yesterday I was sitting outside on our front bench, watching our kids ride their bikes on the sidewalk in front of our home. Our son happened to see their boy and wanted to say hi, and tried to go onto their property. I calmly walked to our son, still on our property, telling him to come back home. The mother was on her porch and started telling me I was a bad person, who is bipolar, and is screwed up in the head. Then she goes on to tell me that she thinks I feel that Im better than them, and that our kids are screwed up. I looked at her and said that I will pray for their family, and that I was told my officers not to have any contact with them. If they wanted to try to get something going, I would be calling the police. She then started saying crap about us in front of our kids, and saying she has food for their kids, clothing, etc. their home is in very good conditions, and telling her kids our home is in poor conditions, etc.

This woman suffers from depression and at first I felt sorry for her. But as I got to know this family more, I can see they dont put their children before their wants. If they have money, why on earth would they want to spend it on beer or cigerettes and not food for their kids? Due to the conditions of the home, the officer had to report what he saw when he spoke with the family about their son assulting our son. And due to their son being under the age of 7, here in this state, nothing can be done, but to document it. But, like I told the officer, if this continues, and this child gets on a path of doing more harm to others, its going to be a long road for this family. This child turns 7 in 5 days.

But I just wondered besides calling the police for the harrassment, is there anything else that can be done?

[Silat]

Wait 5 days, call them about the child the day he turns 7...
It may end up being the worst birthday ever for him at the time, but in the long run the sooner he's in better living conditions, the better he'll be.

[julie wishes]

Sometimes a little note with a nice warning from your attorney is all it takes for them to get the hint.

[momof3boys]

The only way I could call about the child when he turns 7 is if he assults one of our kids again. Because he was 6 years of age on 6/24/12 when he threw the rock at our son's head, there wasnt anything the police could do other than document it. But the officer did say if he did this again, or did any other physical harm to us after he turns 7 years old, then they could do more. But once he turns 7, the only way I can call the police would be if he did assult us again.

As for Child Protective Services, they are looking into the case more closely. I was informed by the officer that made the visit to show the parents pictures of our son's head which were taken at the time we went to the ER, that the conditions of the home on the outside was not the best, and the officer couldnt get into the home since the parents didnt offer him to come inside. But because of what I witnessed inside the home on the morning of the day this occured, he had to write everything down and report it over to child protective services. Now one thing that really bothers me is that this child (the youngest was put into a IEP.. .Independent education plan for children who have special needs). This child was diagnosted with ADHD and was put on medication for his behavior. When he first started out the school year last year his mother was called into the office to witness this child behaving so badly on video that she had no words to say to the principal or teacher. It was then, that his medication was changed and the parents were told to keep him on the medication due to this bad behavior that this ADHD causes. The bad thing, is that once school was let out of the summer, the parents stopped giving him the medication. Their reason was because they couldnt afford it and since the child was home, and not in school they didnt feel it was necessary for the child to be on it. But then a month later, comes the assult on our child. Of course its due to the neglect of the parents not giving the child the medication to control his behavior. When questioned by the officer if the child has ADHD, the mother denied it. She said he was a good child and had no health conditions. Of course she would lie. I mean who would want to get caught knowing that their child is not on the medications the doctor ordered her to give him? This information was given to the child protective services and I dont know whats been so far. All I know is that within the past two weeks, Ive had to make two calls to child protective services due to the stuff Ive witnessed.

[momof3boys]

Sometimes a little note with a nice warning from your attorney is all it takes for them to get the hint.

I so wish we could afford an attorney. I was talking about this with my husband last night. My husband wants to put up security cameras on our home because he feels as though they are going to get upset even more and try to damage our home, or vehicles.

[rich956]

You get all the fun ones shoot.
I like your hubbies idea.nothing like little evidence,hehe.

[Rae1889]

Just a note though, if you put up cameras, you must put up a sign saying your home is being video watched. Otherwise you can get charged with spying and other peeping crimes.

[momof3boys]

Yeah we found a set of cameras on craigslist that comes with three cameras and a moniter for $50. My father in law already gave us a sign that we can put in our window or yard to show we have cameras installed on our property.

I really feel for those kids. I kept thinking about them today and knowing what their mom said yesterday. I shouldnt let those things get to me, but thinking about what those kids must be going through, really makes me sad inside. Last week I saw the mother have a pop and candy bar sitting on her porch, and her youngest was really wanting a bite of the candy bar and she argued with him and said, "No, this is my candy bar! Its all mine! Not yours!".... It just hurt my heart to see that little boy tell his mom he was hungry and she had the nerve to tell him no he couldnt have the candy bar. I know a candy bar is not healthy for anyone, but hey, its something to put in that little kids tummy. If we struggled with food, Id put my kids first before myself. They are #1 in my life.

[lottalead]

may i say something? make the kid a birthday cake ,even though its late then make his mom something,it may be what they really need

[momof3boys]

We were told by officers yesterday to stay completely away from them. So were going to follow what the police tell us.

[lottalead]

i wish you the best cuz i had neighbors like that but thank god they moved on
i know its very hard to help them when the parents are most likely the problem

[momof3boys]

Were just going to ignore them and go on about our lives. Ive done all I could, and if I see anything I think is wrong, or the parents neglecting their kids, I will for sure make that call. Ive heard them say in the last year or so they really did want to move, but their problem is that they know they wont get their security deposit back due to how damaged the house is from them, and they dont have the money for another security deposit to put down for another rental home.

[Apozas]

Just don't look at them,talk to them. Now if they hit your child, call the cops. Some people are just crazy...good luck!

[momof3boys]

were not having no contact with these people at all. A couple of days ago I had to call the cops because they were saying cuss words to my five year old son about me. Calling me names and their oldest who is 12, was on the porch saying this, all while the mother was sitting there listening to him. So I made a call to the officer who documented the assult from their son, and he made contact with the people to warn them about harrassment. We havnt had any issues with them since. Hopefully it worked.