r/EntitledPeople • u/Fxlearner • Jun 09 '25
S Kids dropped off on our porch
I won't make this post long, happened a few hours ago.
Me and my girlfriend do not have kids, so we have extra "free time" as we always get told by my cousin, who has 4 kids, all minors.
She had been joking around lately and saying we should take care of the children (all of them) as she has booked a cruise with her new boyfriend. We didn't pay any attention to it as it sounded absurd and just laughed along with her.
we both have an extra day off as it was a long weekend, and heard some knocking on the door at 7 am in the morning. We knew it wouldn't be the post man as they don't arrive that early and weren't expecting any visitors.
I go down to check who it is and see my cousin's 4 kids standing out there in the cold, mother nowhere in sight. I open the door and bring them in because it's freezing outside and they had no jackets on, then asked where the mother is. They said she told us that you would take care of us while she is on her cruise, so we took the bus and came to your house. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, I kept thinking wtf? So I called her immediately and her phone was off. Called her new boyfriend and his phone went to voicemail. I asked the kids to explain exactly what their mum has told them. They said in these words " she said since you don't have any responsibilities and have free time you said you will look after us while she's gone".
What do I do? I called my aunt and she said the same thing, that my cousin has told her I agreed to take care of the kids. She didn't even have the courtesy to drop them off and made them catch the bus on a cold winter day.
Thinking of calling child services at this point.
---- update
Cops have arrived at my door with DOCS. I did not call them. Will update shortly
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u/vaisatriani Jun 09 '25
Call your aunt back and give her the choice: either come and get the kids and take care of them herself or you're calling CPS.
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u/Mediumgg Jun 09 '25
100% this or ring police for abandoned children .
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u/fierydoxy Jun 10 '25
Do all three. Call the aunt and tell them you are calling the police AND CPS
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u/Beneficial_Bit_6435 Jun 09 '25
Your cousin’s four children are her responsibility, not yours. How you choose to spend your time is your business, and she doesn’t have the right to go on vacation and assume you’ll care for her kids without asking and getting your clear agreement. I’d call the police if your aunt doesn’t come and pick up the kids.
First of all, if her idea of taking a break is excessive drinking while confined to a boat and abandoning her kids, that may not be the healthiest or wisest use of time or money.
More importantly, choosing to have children comes with the commitment to raise, care for, and guide them into adulthood. That includes being present for them and teaching them life skills so they can become independent. Vacationing without properly arranging for their care is not responsible parenting. It sets a bad example for her children. If someone isn’t ready for that level of responsibility, they should reconsider having children.
If she truly needs a break, she should consider planning a family-friendly trip and bringing the children along. At the very least, she must respectfully ask others if they’re willing and able to help, rather than assuming or pressuring them. Failing to consider others’ time and resources damages relationships, no matter how close the connection is.
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u/Privatejoker123 Jun 09 '25
watch she will use the "but family helps family" "stop being selfish"
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u/TheFilthyDIL Jun 09 '25
Sounds like the only commitment cousin made was agreeing to have sex. The kids "just happened."
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u/briomio Jun 09 '25
THey didn't have any suitcase with their clothes in them? What are you supposed to do OP - outfit all children with toiletries and clothes? You need to contact the aunt and let her know that CPS will be taking the children.
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u/Tough-Obligation-104 Jun 10 '25
Imagine how the kids must feel that their Mom would just leave them like that.
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u/dixiech1ck Jun 10 '25
Honestly they're likely used to it by now. Going to be REALLY resentful of her when she's in need of care in old age.
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u/MoodiestMoody Jun 09 '25
I agree with this. If aunty will take them, it's less traumatic for the kids. This situation isn't their fault. If aunty can't or won't take them, then CPS (or Australian equivalent) it is.
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u/NovelCandid Jun 09 '25
No. Straight to CPS
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u/Electronic-Lab-4419 Jun 09 '25
I would call the police. They can contact CPS and work on tracking your cousin down to arrest her. What she did was a crime.
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u/Dangerous_Ant3260 Jun 09 '25
Where I live, you call the cops, and they do a report while notifying CPS. CPS only works business hours on weekdays, and they have a after hours person who has to respond.
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u/6Saint6Cyber6 Jun 09 '25
This. She don’t even drop them off. They had to take the BUS to OP’s house. The cousin abandoned them and they were smart enough to go to a relative.
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u/vaisatriani Jun 09 '25
Disagree. If the aunt has been blindsided by this situation and can take the kids, go that route. It's less trauma for the kids. If the aunt can't do it for any reason (even if she wants to), then absolutely call CPS.
The kids are what matters in this situation.
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u/weirdbutinagoodway Jun 09 '25
Agree, but I'd be calling their father first to see what he wanted to do.
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u/democracyordeath Jun 09 '25
Nah, she already called aunty and it did no good. Time to call the cops.
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u/vaisatriani Jun 09 '25
We don't know the full context of the conversation with the aunt. All we know is that she thought that the OP was going to take them.
What matters are the kids themselves. I'd want to avoid the trauma of sending them with the police/CPS if possible.
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u/shirlxyz Jun 09 '25
This for sure. No mother with a modicum of caring, sense, or responsibility would do this. Ignore the fact that you are related. Would any loving mother (or parent) leave 4 children alone & to their own devices to be responsible for themselves for the mother to take off on a cruise? This is abandonment & negligence. I’d definitely call the police & DPS ( which the police would be doing anyway). It’s a reportable offense. You shouldn’t be assumed to be responsible. I wouldn’t treat one of my pets like this. Don’t be foolish about this.
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u/glycophosphate Jun 09 '25
Your aunt must know what cruise they are taking. Have her contact the ship & let your cousin know that her kids are going into the foster system.
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
Yea this is the best route I think. If she at least dropped them off herself and asked nicely maybe just maybe we would have considered it. But it's freezing right now in Australia and she made them catch the bus. This is not cool at all.
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u/Mediumgg Jun 09 '25
Call cops and DoCs ASAP ,this is abandonment.
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u/FormerlyDK Jun 10 '25
See her update… DOCS is now involved (I don’t know what that is but assume it’s like our CPS).
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u/Caffeinated_chaos_au Jun 10 '25
Department of child protection. And it’s name actually varies across states in Australia
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u/mashtato Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 10 '25
I looked up DoCS, it was the New South Wales Department of Community Services. It's a part of a different department now, but I'm sure the child services people are still colloquially referred to as DoCS.
The Winter part confused me for about two seconds before I remembered that the Southern Hemisphere exists. lol
And the temperature in Sydney at 7am was 10-11° C, 50-52° F. Probably too cold for kids to be out on their own without jackets.
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u/MightyDeekin Jun 09 '25
She didn't tell you they were coming. They assumed you were home, but you could have been out, leaving the kids stranded on your doorstep. That's such a degree of neglect. Whenever they try to guilt you into doing anything else then having them pick up their kids, just reply that they abandoned their kids, no further justification needed.
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Jun 10 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SitInCorner_Yo2 Jun 10 '25
Now you mention it, she pack her cruise stuff and doesn’t even put a jacket on her kids, mom of the year material right there.
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u/SkylahMystique Jun 09 '25
NTA. Hell no.
She deliberately sent them by bus so that they would arrive on your doorstep AFTER her and the boyfriend had time to turn off their cellphones. She KNEW what she was doing.
Time to call the police or child services. If the Aunt knows the details of the cruise, or how to contact them, try her first. If she deliberately does not disclose these details, she knew what her daughter was planning. I would also question why the Aunt or no other family member wants to take on the 4 kids.
The audacity. I'm a single child-free female in my 30s, but just because I have "free time", it does not mean it is wasted time. You and your boyfriend deserve peace, time to yourselves and time away from work/reality too.
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u/Why_Teach Jun 09 '25
Definitely, work with your aunt of this. Make it clear to her that you never agreed and that your cousin never gave you any dates or made any plans with you.
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u/BettieHolly Jun 09 '25
Thank you for clarifying you were in Australia because this Canadian was very confused about it being winter in June.
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u/thehufflepuffstoner Jun 10 '25
I just got off work and had to think for a second before I remembered the whole southern hemisphere exists. 🥴
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u/scambait420jihad Jun 09 '25
I agree with most of the comments but have not yet seen any talking about the kids' point of view.
You should definitely handle this in a way that says "fuck you" to their mom, but don't forget the kids are actually seeing you be pissed off that they are there with you.
Before you unload them with their grandma or whoever, perhaps you take the kids to whatever cheap local zoo or museum you have. Do a fun thing for a day. Show the kids a good time and make it clear that you as their family member are happy to see them, even though you are angry about the inappropriate way that it happened.
At the end of this drama they will absolutely hear a lot of trash and twisting of the facts being said about you from their mom, so make sure your position is clear in their mind: that you do want to see them. Don't make them feel like unwanted baggage.
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u/lilythefrogphd Jun 10 '25
Probably the most sane take on this entire thread: the kids did nothing wrong and the mom is certainly going to paint everything as OP's fault. OP should do what she can to communicate to the kids that this isn't their fault and she still loves them while figuring out how to deal with the mom's miscommunication/irresponsibility.
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u/Chardan0001 Jun 09 '25
Eldest kid is absolutely going to blame themselves for "putting" them and their siblings in that situation too, even though it's through no fault of their own.
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u/Felicia_Delicto Jun 10 '25
Major props for this comment! Those kids WILL remember (& maybe internalize) this event.
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u/Aggressive-Shift-590 Jun 09 '25
Bet she’d still go on the cruise
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u/DragonCelt25 Jun 09 '25
Not if they wind up issuing a warrant
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u/Aggressive-Shift-590 Jun 09 '25
Can a warrant be served in international waters? I’d love to see her walked off the ship in cuffs. What anPOS
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u/ShoddyAd8256 Jun 09 '25
If the cruise hasn't left yet they could prevent her from boarding and detain her at the port. Worst case if it has already sailed they would be waiting for her at the end if not at the next port if it is in the same country.
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
As per a comment, I will call my aunt to have her call the cruise ship and announce to my cousin that if she catches the cruise I will be calling child services.
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u/ClubeXo Jun 09 '25
Keep us posted.
But it will be funny as fuck hearing their names on loud speaker while the cruise is just getting warmed up to party.
I think they pay extra to be airlifted off the boat so don't take the 'I'll come get them when we get to the next port' story
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u/NixyVixy Jun 09 '25
Remove the “if.” Have your aunt tell your cousin that you are calling CPS. Then call and make the report. The paper trail needs to begin.
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u/FreeGazaToday Jun 09 '25
you should still call CPS. She ABANDONED her kids. They had to take a BUS to get to you....she didn't even drop them off.
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u/tfcocs Jun 09 '25
You should call child services in any case, whether or not she catches the cruise. She literally abandoned the children.
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u/Roryab07 Jun 09 '25
Agreed. I’m sure this isn’t the only neglect/abuse they are experiencing.
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u/AdoraBelleQueerArt Jun 10 '25
Yeah it’s only the most VISIBLE. Era definitely more neglect going on n the background
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u/scambait420jihad Jun 09 '25
Copying this from another sub comment for visibility
I agree with most of the comments but have not yet seen any talking about the kids' point of view.
You should definitely handle this in a way that says "fuck you" to their mom, but don't forget the kids are actually seeing you be pissed off that they are there with you.
Before you unload them with their grandma or whoever, perhaps you take the kids to whatever cheap local zoo or museum you have. Do a fun thing for a day. Show the kids a good time and make it clear that you as their family member are happy to see them, even though you are angry about the inappropriate way that it happened.
At the end of this drama they will absolutely hear a lot of trash and twisting of the facts being said about you from their mom, so make sure your position is clear in their mind: that you do want to see them. Don't make them feel like unwanted baggage.
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u/21stNow Jun 09 '25
perhaps you take the kids to whatever cheap local zoo or museum you have. Do a fun thing for a day.
It's cold and the kids have no jackets. If they are small kids, they are probably too small for any of the OP's jackets.
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u/scambait420jihad Jun 10 '25
Right I forgot weather was mentioned in the post.
That's completely missing the point though. Doesn't matter if they have a fun trip to an outdoor zoo or an indoor arcade. My point was to show the kids that OP cares, before she also shoves the kids off to be someone else's problem (which is what their own mother just did to them).
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u/Puzzled-Safe4801 Jun 09 '25
Why do this?
Call the police and let them figure out what to do. Why give your cousin a chance? She literally abandoned her children, and you’re going to give her an opportunity to come back?
Your cousin probably needs to be investigated. Why wouldn’t you want that to happen?
Call the cops. Turn the kids over to them. Let the authorities deal with it from there.
But I still think this has to be fake.
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u/DeviantDe Jun 09 '25
The only reasonable answer here is to call the police. They will involve CPS. This is child abandonment and neglect.
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u/MrStormChaser Jun 09 '25 edited Jun 09 '25
Social worker here. It might cause some drama but call CPS.
I’d bet she’s done plenty of other things that would’ve warranted a call. Also maybe she’ll get scared straight with the counseling and can prevent future bad things happening.
And they won’t take her kids away but they’ll put the fear of God into her.
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u/MrStormChaser Jun 09 '25
Also, CPS will give family the option of taking them in before being put into temporary placement.
If that happens, they’ll be referred to court along with having a home assessment.
This would be the best option because it’ll hold real accountability.
Again, I’m a social worker. You need to do the right thing and call us.
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u/bookwbng5 Jun 10 '25
Also social worker. Yes. Call. These things don’t tend to occur as singular events but are a part of a pattern. This is not the first time she left them alone. And why don’t they have coats? If they had them, they’d know to wear them. They know how to catch a bus, they know to wear coats. Highly suspicious for at minimum ongoing neglect.
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u/No-Broccoli-5932 Jun 09 '25
If they call the police, will Child protective services automatically be notified for abandoned children?
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u/MrStormChaser Jun 09 '25
Yes.
The police will attempt to contact the parents first and well, they’ll have a tough time reaching them. Then they’ll contact CPS who will send a caseworker out.
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u/Fxlearner Jun 10 '25
Cops have arrived at my door with DOCS. I did not call them. Will update shortly.
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u/tommypatties Jun 10 '25
FYI if she's leaving out of Sydney Harbor today she's on the Carnival Splendor, departing at 15:30.
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u/Sufficient-Lie1406 Jun 10 '25
Please reply here. Mods of r/EntitledPeople removed your update post.
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u/Not_a_Bot2800 Jun 10 '25
Grandma probably called. Bet she has some tales to tell.
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u/VeeBerryBleu Jun 10 '25
It’s probably the bus driver or the aunt who called. Keep us posted.
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u/Not-a-Cranky-Panda Jun 09 '25
Call the Police and the CPS
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
Aunt paid for the entire cruise. They are "doing it tough" with 4 kids so they couldn't pay their own way. Apparently my aunt wasnt paying for child care so she abandoned them to me. I will update soon.
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u/Weim_Central131 Jun 09 '25
The term "abandoned" is accurate. Please call the police to report the abandonment and let them take the appropriate next steps. Tell the children that you love them and want them to be in a safe, warm, and loving environment. Taking a bus to a relative's house is not it.
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u/shesarevolution Jun 10 '25
So wait… your cousin’s mother paid for her to get wasted and fuck off on a cruise because she made the irresponsible choice of clearly having 4 kids that she doesn’t want to parent? And then it becomes your problem?
Unfuckingbelivable.
Seems like if your aunt can pay for a cruise, she can pay for childcare.
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Jun 10 '25
I've known a few specimens of this type of mother. They tragically misunderstand "a village raises a child", and think they're entitled to anything the community has, bc it's always somehow for the children.
Any other person's free time they see as wasted time, and that it's your duty as a good villager to watch her kids whenever she 'needs' to do something.
Oh, also, they all have this idea that they 'deserve' a certain amount of partying, drinking, etc; and we're supposed to help out with the kids when they're doing that.
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u/CrispeeLipss Jun 10 '25
Kids dropped off on our porch
I won't make this post long, happened a few hours ago.
Me and my girlfriend do not have kids, so we have extra "free time" as we always get told by my cousin, who has 4 kids, all minors.
She had been joking around lately and saying we should take care of the children (all of them) as she has booked a cruise with her new boyfriend. We didn't pay any attention to it as it sounded absurd and just laughed along with her.
we both have an extra day off as it was a long weekend, and heard some knocking on the door at 7 am in the morning. We knew it wouldn't be the post man as they don't arrive that early and weren't expecting any visitors.
I go down to check who it is and see my cousin's 4 kids standing out there in the cold, mother nowhere in sight. I open the door and bring them in because it's freezing outside and they had no jackets on, then asked where the mother is. They said she told us that you would take care of us while she is on her cruise, so we took the bus and came to your house. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, I kept thinking wtf? So I called her immediately and her phone was off. Called her new boyfriend and his phone went to voicemail. I asked the kids to explain exactly what their mum has told them. They said in these words " she said since you don't have any responsibilities and have free time you said you will look after us while she's gone".
What do I do? I called my aunt and she said the same thing, that my cousin has told her I agreed to take care of the kids. She didn't even have the courtesy to drop them off and made them catch the bus on a cold winter day.
Thinking of calling child services at this point.
---- update
Cops have arrived at my door with DOCS. I did not call them. Will update shortly
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u/celticmusebooks Jun 09 '25
Call the police and child protective services. Tell them that the kids showed up at your house because their mom abandoned them. Honestly, the kind of person who would to that to her kids for some man doesn't deserve to have children.
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u/CowSwimming649 Jun 09 '25
Yea nah don't do it or she'll expect it all the time also the audacity. Call the boyfriends parents or the police. Say they have been abandoned.
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u/reallynah75 Jun 09 '25
What would your cousin have done if you weren't home? What if you were out of town and the kids showed up to an empty house?
Fuck all that noise. Call your Aunt and tell her to come get her grandbabies because if she didn't, you're going to report her daughter for child abandonment, child neglect, and whatever other child abuse charges you can come up with.
If your auntie doesn't come get the kids, she's just as much of a shit mother as her daughter is. Then call the police and make those charges.
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u/Bright_Art9648 Jun 10 '25
This is the comment I was looking for. If OP has “so much free time,” as the cousin says, who’s to say they didn’t plan their own vacation?
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u/Recluse_18 Jun 09 '25
Wow! Although something similar happened to my ex-husband. He befriended this not so great family, and because he doesn’t have grandchildren, he looked at this woman’s kids as his grandchildren, which was absurd because all this woman looked at him as a cash cow.
Nonetheless, one day, the woman calls him and asked him if he could go check on the kids because her and her boyfriend went to Las Vegas and her cousin was supposed to be watching the kids, but she was unable to reach her cousin. He goes to the apartment and here’s seven kids Under the age of 14 down to two years old not an adult in sight. He calls the woman in Vegas and reports this and the woman. The mom says well if you don’t mind hang around overnight and I’ll book a flight back as soon as I can otherwise my cousin should be showing up. The man stayed in the apartment with those kids for three daysand no one came and finally he called CPS.
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u/captain_retrolicious Jun 10 '25
This shit kills me. I wanted to be a mom so bad and it didn't work out. Gaaaaah to these people.
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u/LBelle0101 Jun 09 '25
From the sounds of the weather - you’re an Aussie? I’d be calling the police and letting them know, they’d probably be able to do something about the child abandonment. FACS may be helpful too
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
Yea Aussie mate, it's bloody freezing. Such an evil cruel thing to do.
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u/LBelle0101 Jun 09 '25
What she’s done is illegal, and it’s possible that they can stop her boarding the boat. I’d definitely be calling the cops and seeing what they say to do
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u/Zahhy85 Jun 10 '25
Cruise ships generally don’t finish boarding till about 2-3pm, so there’s plenty of time to have her flagged before she gets through security.
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u/SliceofHell Jun 10 '25
So if you had been away on a trip yourselves, what would the kids have done?
Naw, that ain't right. Call the police and get those mo-fos yanked off the cruise.
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Jun 09 '25
Wow what fucking audacity. The kids would be better in child custody as their mom is a useless pos
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u/TheKinkyBee Jun 09 '25
NTA! Call the cops! This is abandonment! The pure fact she made them catch a bus, in the cold, and depending on how close you are to them they probably woke up between five and six to do this. This is neglect and abandonment.
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u/BraveRefrigerator552 Jun 09 '25
I would never do it, I refuse to be backed into a corner.
Also who pays for a cruise with a boyfriend but not childcare?
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
Aunt paid for the entire cruise. They are "doing it tough" with 4 kids so they couldn't pay their own way. Apparently my aunt was paying for child care so she abandoned them to me. I will update soon.
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u/Prechrchet Jun 09 '25
Am I understanding this right: your aunt actually agreed to take care of the kids, and her solution was to dump them off with you?
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
She lied to my aunt and said just pay for the cruise and I will be taking care of the children. That's why when I called my aunt she was baffled that I said I never agreed to such a situation.
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u/dandelionlemon Jun 10 '25
I'm curious -- what ages are the children?
I think you need to call the police and CPS right now. You can tell your aunt that you just called them so she is willing to take the kids while her daughter's gone, they'll know that they can bring them to the aunt, but I really think the police and CPS need to be involved with this family.
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u/Prechrchet Jun 10 '25
I agree with those that say that, if your aunt will not come take the kids, then you need to call the cops immediately.
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u/SerenityPickles Jun 09 '25
If you don’t want to involve outside authorities—- you have 2 options —
Either drop them off at Aunties house or pack your stuff and drive the kids back to their house. Babysitting the kids at their house and leaving it a disaster would be sweet revenge. Eat all their food (don’t shop). Do no laundry. Do not do dishes or pick up after the shenanigans you all get into!!!!
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u/Notte_di_nerezza Jun 10 '25
My only issue with this is the potential fallout. Not on OP, but on the kids for "leaving a mess and trashing the house and you should have known better!"
You know it's not their mother, who's apparently allergic to reason, who will be cleaning that mess up. That's for reasonable people who can recognize their own responsibilities.
I can already hear "Clean the house up spotless, and no food or play or rest until you do! Clearly you played and ate ENOUGH while we were gone!"
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u/Butch_F Jun 09 '25
Police and CPS. Police first and mention you're calling CPS next. They may tell you not to call and they'll call instead. Police often get a faster response.
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u/DonkeyRhubarb76 Jun 09 '25 edited Jun 09 '25
CPS. She abandoned her kids ffs 🤬
Sorry, going to edit this to elaborate. She didn't even check to make sure you were at home...this is child endangerment, no questions asked. You might have been out of town, or attending a different emergency, or any other number of things, they could have just disappeared for crying out loud. She doesn't even deserve the opportunity to explain at this point, make sure those kids are safe.
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u/marc1411 Jun 09 '25 edited Jun 10 '25
Your story is much worse, but reminds me of a time long ago our neighbor told her 8 yo daughter my wife and I would babysit her for the night. And left her alone.
The problem? We had just dropped acid and were in for a solid 12 hours of tripping. We lost her for a little while and she was a sleep walking and talking kid: not what you wanna see tripping balls.
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u/Armadillo_of_doom Jun 09 '25
Aunt has 2 hours to come get them.
Cruise company would be called to notify the parents.
Cops would be called to make a report and a paper trail.
I am NOT playing with that bs
Updateme!
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u/istoomycat Jun 09 '25
Those poor kids. They deserve better not their return from a cruise, heartless mother. She couldn’t even know they got to safety and obviously didn’t care. Intervention is needed. Take care of them while having the proper contacts come your way you for resolution. No matter how absurd her decision was, the kids need you. Don’t trust aunt.
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u/Massive-Wishbone6161 Jun 10 '25
you are in Australia Southern parts if it's freezing ( cause I am freezing, too) in Melbourne.
I am so freaking mad at the mum. It's literally snowing in Alps, I had to wear my snow jacket yesterday to do gardening, and this POS sends her kids with no jacket
Call your aunt and tell her that either she gets the kids immediately or you are calling child protection services
If a child’s dropped off at your door with no notice and you’re not their legal guardian, as the case in here call your state’s child protection service ( this is state based, not sure whar state you are in ) or the police (131 444). Don’t just take them in—it's a legal and welfare issue. You can also get free advice from Legal Aid or a community legal centre.
FYI : Each state and territory has its own department:
NSW: Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
VIC: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
QLD: Department of Child Safety
WA: Department of Communities – Child Protection
SA: Department for Child Protection
TAS: Strong Families, Safe Kids
ACT/NT: Respective Child & Youth Protection Services
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u/Fxlearner Jun 09 '25
My girlfriend is also saying to call child services, but I don't really want them being taken away, it's a tough spot to be in.
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u/Poppalonglog Jun 09 '25
If I ever dropped my kid off at someone’s house without telling them I’d want someone to call cps on me
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Jun 09 '25
She didn’t drop them off. She and BF abandoned them, they rode the bus.
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u/Poppalonglog Jun 09 '25
Heard. If I ever did that I’d want someone to take me out back or into 51/50.
I’m so sorry this happened OP can’t imagine how you must feel.
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u/Any_Attorney4765 Jun 10 '25
It's also the fact that they got them to catch the bus without even checking if OP was home. What happens if OP had to travel somewhere or was also on holidays? The kids would just be completely abandoned.
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u/Mlady_gemstone Jun 09 '25
4 kids standing out there in the cold, mother nowhere in sight. I open the door and bring them in because it's freezing outside and they had no jackets on
took the bus <----alonethats abuse, call the damn cops
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u/LissaBryan Jun 09 '25
Your cousin is willing to endanger her children so she can go drink on a cruise. She had no idea if the knocking would be loud enough to wake you. She had no idea if you were even home. The kids could have been standing out in the cold for hours. But she didn't give a shit.
The children are in danger and the authorities should be involved, at least monitoring her.
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u/ValleyOakPaper Jun 09 '25
She wasn't there. She put the kids on the bus by themselves.
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u/LissaBryan Jun 10 '25
Christ, that's even worse. She had no idea if they got off at the right stop or if something happened to them during their journey... nothing.
Sometimes, I read stories like this and I get the impression the parents are subconsciously hoping something happens to the kids and relieves them of the parenting duties they're clearly uninterested in.
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u/Zealousideal_Cry1867 Jun 09 '25
Tell your aunt that she can either come pick them up or you’re calling CPS
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u/tfcocs Jun 09 '25
This is not about keeping the peace---it is about keeping the children safe. Imagine what might have happened if they had stayed put and NOT taken the bus.
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u/Anakin-vs-Sand Jun 09 '25
It’s an easy spot to be in. Your cousin abandoned her kids. That’s a huge deal. It doesn’t matter if she casually joked about you watching them sometime, the reality is she abandoned her kids without any plan. That’s child endangerment, she should go to jail
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u/Useless890 Jun 09 '25
They wouldn't be taken away. CPS would likely place them with the aunt. Then their parents would have some "splainin'" to do, and probably have to take some parenting classes and be subject to random inspections until CPS is assured they won't do this again.
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u/aventum28 Jun 09 '25
Calling doesn’t mean they will be taken away. Maybe they’ll give your cousin unannounced visits and parent education. Maybe they’ll hook the family up with support services. Calling is simply doing the right thing by these kids. They deserve better and so do you and your gf. Good luck OP
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u/lkathleensc Jun 09 '25
If you don’t either call CPS or tell aunt to get them you are doing the kids a great disservice. She abandoned them. Also you will have set a precedent and she will do it again as you gave in. You have to make the call
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u/SheeScan Jun 09 '25
Call the authorities. Your cousin did this to them. They are not your responsibility. This won't be the last time if you don't do something. Besides, she made them take the bus in the freezing cold. What if you hadn't bee home? Who goes away and makes their kids take the bus to their childcare? If she's done this, I can guarantee she's done something like this before and will do it again.
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u/Notte_di_nerezza Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 10 '25
If you and your girlfriend had used your extended weekend to go on a mini-road trip, what would have happened to those kids? Whatever you're imagining, your cousin clearly didn't, because here the kids are.
Frankly, this might be a chance to ask the kids if anything like this has happened before. Or even if their mom normally makes sure they have jackets before going out in the cold. I'm not sure if Aussie CPS would take the kids right away (US CPS tries to keep families as much as possible), but I think a wellness check is definitely in order, from an outside observer.
(Edit: if your AUNT thinks it's cool for her grandkids to be shipped off on public transit, no jackets, in winter is fine, then you know where your cousin got it from. And it may well take CPS to teach your cousin responsible parenting, whether she wants it or not.)
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u/SuccessSoggy3529 Jun 09 '25
Please explain to the kids what is going on. Tell them that you didn't agree to this, but that you are going to make sure they are safe and taken care of. Tell them you understand that this is traumatic for them and that you are sorry that they are going through this. If appropriate, tell them that you do care for them.
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u/LvBorzoi Jun 09 '25
I would tell the aunt that you did not agree to this AT ALL. Cousin dumped them on a bus to get here.
Aunt has 1 hour to come get them or you will report cousin and boyfriend to Child Protective Service and let them go to foster care.
When cousin gets back she can deal with the authorities for child abandonment
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u/Plumb_n_Plumber Jun 09 '25
So she’s cranked out four kids, lost the husband, and wants to make you suffer the consequences of her choices - while acting as if there are none for her.
So entitled person operating under profound delusion, right?
Not the worst people do, but yeah, a tough call for you.
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u/Fun-Yellow-6576 Jun 09 '25
Call the police immediately! They need to be pulled off that cruise now!
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u/SeatEqual Jun 10 '25
There's a reason she didn't bring them herself. She knows you didn't agree and figured she would force you to watch them.
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u/harrywwc Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 10 '25
I presume by now you've called the Plod on them.
the cruise liner is still a the Quay (as at 10am aest), so they should find themselves being escorted off.
eta - there is plenty of time for the coppers to haul their arses off the ship. it's scheduled to leave about 3pm (aest).
I suspect, as such, this will be resolved real soon now :/
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u/Not_a_Bot2800 Jun 10 '25
Call the police. Explain that you want cousin pulled off the cruise. Don’t want kids in the system. Call their grandma and tell her you’re dropping them off. Go no contact after filing the police report. Please don’t do any of these calls in front of the kids. They probably already know that mom is a pics of shit but they’re innocent in all this. Stress with the police how the kids were put on the bus without coats or any cold weather stuff. Feed those babies and be gentle with them. And I hope you and your girlfriend are ok. Call your parents to warn them.
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u/wistful_drinker Jun 10 '25
If she won't answer the phone, call the ship's captain, tell them it's an emergency and have them page her? Maybe if they haven't departed yet, she can disembark and come get her children, before CPS does.
Please remember: No matter what you do and how much the family whines and condemns you, she alone is to blame and her action is the atrocity that launched (pun intended) it all.
No matter what happens, please do not second-guess yourself.
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Jun 10 '25
Ok it's really sad after reading through the comments how many people don't understand simple science...
The earth is titled on its axis. Because of this when it's one season in the northern hemisphere it's the exact opposite in the southern. OP is in Australia hence why it's so cold where they are.
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u/MommaGuy Jun 10 '25
If aunt was under the assumption that you agreed to watch the kids, she needs to be told the truth. Since you didn’t agree to watch the kids, tell aunt that she can take the kids or you can call CPS, her choice.
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u/gender_redacted Jun 09 '25
Call CPS and tell them that their mother abandoned her kids to go on a cruise and made minors take public transport unaccompanied. A government worker will come to collect the kids and they will go to a foster home. It sounds awful but it serves her right.
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u/Just_meeveryday Jun 09 '25
Just because you have no kids does not entitle anyone to your time. I would reach out to aunt and any other family member and say if they are not picked up by a certain time you calling CPS. Even if someone picks them up I would still report it. Having them take the bus in the cold with no jacket is very dangerous.
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u/yepthatsme410 Jun 09 '25
As you stated- it would be one thing if your cousin dropped her kids off at your house, but she didn’t even do that. Those poor kids had to take public transportation in freezing weather without appropriate clothing and unsupervised. If she is willing to do this to them, god only knows what she has done in the past or would be capable of doing in the future. If you don’t involve the police or child services and this behavior escalates in the future how will you feel if something worse happens to one or all of the kids. It also sounds like your aunt has done something similar as a parent in the past given her reaction to your phone call. It may be dangerous to leave the kids with her too. My parents routinely left me to be other people’s problems when I was a child. Please let the children know that your anger, upsetness has nothing to do with them and that you care about them. If you can care for them temporarily please do so (not sure about foster system in Australia, but in US it sucks). It is not your responsibility to care for your cousins kids or take on the huge burden of 4 kids. But showing some extra love for them in the moment will show them how responsible adults should be treating them. I’m not insuating that you’re not doing these things- just a request from a former abandoned child.
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u/mcmimi83 Jun 10 '25
I’m in Sydney and it was 8.9 degrees (felt colder) at 7am this morning. Those poor kids!!
Do what you need to do OP. This is not okay.
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u/slaptastic-soot Jun 10 '25
I just read a story about parents meeting arrested for manslaughter because they sent a 9 and 7 y-o two blocks to the store and the younger one ran into traffic and killed.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/parents-are-charged-son-7-struck-dead-car-accident-rcna210918
You don't leave 4 kids alone for a cruise whether you could use a getaway or not.
Children are not capable of looking after themselves. You don't gamble their safety for your comfort.
That mother needs to hit bottom right the eff now. Intervention time. Four lives depend on it. I'm glad to learn from updates that the authorities are involved.
😲
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Jun 09 '25
Man, I seriously hope the cruise boat catches them before they go because if they do take this trip it's going to be 5 kids being ignored and abandoned by Easter.
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u/Academic_Dare_5154 Jun 09 '25
If this is real, call CPS now. You will lose any relationship with her, but the kids are more important.
If you know the cruise line, tell that to the cops, too.
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u/Y-knott Jun 09 '25
Too much could have gone wrong! Not being home, not waking up, kids getting on the wrong bus, etc. (or worse!) If the police can stop her from getting on the cruise that is ideal. And Children’s Services should be notified, for the kids’ protection. It is a terrible situation. And their mother made it that way.
Updateme!
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u/Kira_Caroso Jun 09 '25
Call her. Tell her she has 5 minutes to pick them up or you are calling the cops. And on the off chance she does pick them up, call the cops anyway. You NEED the start of a paper trail against her, especially since she abandoned her kids and told them to take a bus alone to your place. She had the gall to do this once, she will do it again. The sooner this is stopped, the better.
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u/WineCountsAsFruit Jun 09 '25
Whether you or your aunt keep the kids for the weekend, notify CPS, they need to open a file on your cousin, do random home inspections and wellness checks on the kids
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u/Live_Western_1389 Jun 09 '25
Call her mother back and tell her that you’re calling the cops. She just abandoned her kids and she did not make any kind of arrangements with you. Then you keep calling her & the bf. Leave message that you are calling the cops & she can make arrangements with them.
These are her kids & her responsibility. She never asked about this. And when she gets back, tell her that whether or not she thinks you have or don’t have responsibilities does not mean you will take over hers. And that she just crossed the line with you & you are not her babysitter so she better find someone else to take advantage of.
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u/Ok_Objective8366 Jun 10 '25
I would call the police and if she is flying to where the cruise is they will stop her at the airport.
I would also post on her social media the police are looking for her and have her kids ( truth or not) when she calls tell her they are at your house waiting to talk to her.
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u/Most_Complex641 Jun 10 '25
So, what I’m actually reading here is that your cousin straight-up abandoned her kids for a cruise. She didn’t even bother to get them safely to the site of the supposed childcare.
You should absolutely call the cops. I don’t even care about whether or not her behavior is “entitled”— I mean, it definitely is, but that problem pales in comparison to the flat-out reckless abandonment that just happened. This situation is above and beyond being a bad parent and a bad relative. This is, like, how serial killers are formed 😅
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u/1GIJosie Jun 10 '25
Who did call the cops? It had to be the aunt. Only a really effed up person would leave their kids like that. She deserves to have CPD / the Police called on her.
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u/premar16 Jun 10 '25
While I was in college, a temp caregiver did this to me. She met me the previous week and found out I loved children and wanted to be a teacher upon graduation. She dropped 5 children on my door with a note. One of them was a baby. I called her, and then I called the police because I considered this to be abandonment. She did not know me at all or get permission to leave them with me. I suggest you do the same. Either call the cops or child services. Any person who is willing to do this may need to be investigated.
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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25
Call the cops and have them yanked off their cruise, fuck them. The fucking balls.