h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know your stepmom is a rights lawyer, so I kinda figure you might have knowledge in this area.

In my apartment building there is a woman who is beating her 3 year old daughter. I've seen her do it once, and heard her do it too many times to count. I really want to alert the athorities, but I'm concerned that there could be retaliation from this woman. (who, by the way, is roughly 250 lbs. and ugly as sin.)

Do I have a right to call in child services?

Thanks. Beth.

I think that technically you have a legal obligation to call social services. Personally, beyond that, I think you have a moral obligation to call social services as long as you aren't personally threatened. You can make an anonymous phone call. You don't have to give your name, number or anything I believe.

Los Angeles County Dept.
of Children's Services
425 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, CA 90020
The Dept. of Children's Services. is the county agency legally mandated to provide protective services to children who have been the victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
For Information call (800)540-4000 (if calling within California)

I just spoke to them personally and they said that you can make an anonymous report. The only thing they ask is the more information they have, the more likely it is someone will investigate, so have all your information written down and very detailed.

Write down: Every time you've seen the woman strike her child. When and where.
Write down: When do you hear her do it? What does it sound like? Do you actually HEAR the hitting or just cussing and crying?

Remember, you could be saving a baby's life. I think that any court in the world would support your claims and if you have SEEN the woman hit her kid, it's abuse, plain and simple.

You can do it anonymously or not, but it sounds like the baby needs help. If you want to give me the details, I would be happy to do it. It just definatly needs to be done, okay?

Thank you. It just really p****s me off to watch a child get hit. Thanks for the address. I have a feeling they'll have reports on this person already.

Good for you. I'm glad that people aren't afraid, these days, to step in and stop something that should be stopped.

Good for you.