I’m not sure where to post this but the past 3 days a kid (probably about 10-12) has been knocking on my door asking me if I want to come out and play with him. I’m a 20yo male, I told him this and how it’s not very safe to knock on total strangers doors and ask adults if they want to play with him but he just keeps coming back. I’m not upset with the kid and he seems like he could be on the spectrum but today it happened again. I didn’t answer when he knocked but when I went to take the cardboard out about 7-10 mins later he was still waiting on my porch. I asked if his parents were home and if I could speak to them and when I did and mentioned that there are methheads just a couple trailers down that could have a very different reaction to a little kid asking them to come play she really didn’t seem to care and replied to everything I said with ok. She also seemed like she was at one point if not still an addict. I’m just worried that one of these times he’s going to knock on the wrong door and get abducted or some shit. Should I call in a welfare check? Or am I overly concerned. Any input would help
Kid has been knocking on my door asking if I want to play with him
r/Advice
Comments
you’re not overthinking it, that’s sketchy as hell and super unsafe for the kid. If his mom’s not gonna step up, I’d 100% call in a welfare check just to be safe.
Yes, call local law enforcement and explain the situation to them. They have social workers who deal with these sorts of situations every day, and they will respect your confidentiality.
You’re not overly concerned, you’re being a good neighbor. Maybe reach out to child protective services to ensure his safety.
Please call Child Protection Services.
You should call for a wellness check. It’s the right thing to do.
I saw this movie.
Welfare check seems appropriate. Kid’s safety comes first.
Sadness.
Call child protective service/social services ?
Next time he comes by, contact the CPS or the Police and let them know that there is an abandoned minor hanging out on your porch. He does this every day. If you have a ring door bell, show them the video. This is neglect and abandonment.
Definitely call in a welfare check. Better safe than sorry, and it sounds like this kid needs someone looking out for him.
If a kid is knocking on random people’s doors asking adults too play there is something going on or he in his own way is seeking help. I would call CPS if he continues to around and actually goes towards the meth trailers. If you have a friend or someone nearby and they have kids near his age ask them to maybe talk to him. If they don’t want to don’t push it.
The lack of fear in that child is indicative of a kid has hasn’t been abused in any way. Yes, it is unsafe for the kid to knock on random doors.
just play with the kid mate 🫠
On top of CPS or wellness checks or whatever (all totally justified), if you have it in you, just letting the kid hang out near your house, talking to him, or tossing a ball, whatever, will keep him a lot safer and happier than shooing him away.
This is totally up to you, you’re not obligated, you’re not a bad person if you don’t. But like, clearly his parents suck and he’s lonely and it sounds like the area isn’t the best. The state intervening takes a long time and often doesn’t end great for anyone. You could make a big difference for him.
Hey. You’re totally right for being worried. Please contact child protective services and or the police. Kids are quite frank. This is so terribly sad and possibly a cry for help indirectly to be honest. In that he is trying to find safety in a stranger who will play will him and offer him a safe space. If you know any further details please share the information as above and anything you know about where his parents reside.
Great childhood memories of my neighbor coming home from work and throwing the football with us, playing street hockey, shooting around the basketball…never would have considered a young adult male role model as sketchy or whatever it’s being referred to. ( of course I do understand there are some weirdos out there) I still see him out and about every once in a great while and buy him a beer…small token for being a great guy to a young man that didn’t have a father in his life.
Update
I don’t know where you are but if I were you I’d call the social services, or CPS or the equivalent where you are. It’s not responsibility to parent, look after or even care about this child but would you really forgive yourself if something were to happen and you could have at least intervene.
Why are you asking reddit? Get on the phone and call the proper authorities!
Ask for help that’s so sus , and the kids are unsafe, if his mom is also not helping.
You could hang out with him OUTSIDE. still call cps, but be his safe person in the meantime.
Defo call the walfare people dude, kid is dire need of attention and help
Jeez… Or just play with the kid and maybe he will let you know what’s going on without jumping to the police
It’s not a fucking crime to let kids roam the earth… Maybe he is not that stupid and noticed a person that lives next door and sticks around
So stupid, just fyi. we kids knocked on doors for random odd jobs to make money growing up, this kid just wants a friend for fuck sake.
Please report this we all have a duty to safeguard children
I honestly think calling CPS or even doing a welfare check might be an overreach at this point. The kid clearly just wants connection, and while the situation is odd and a little concerning, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s in danger.
It might be better to keep an eye on things for now, maybe try gently setting boundaries while staying friendly. If anything changes like if he starts showing up at night, looks unkempt, or talks about things that raise red flags, then it might be time to involve someone.
But for now, I’d treat it like a potentially lonely or neurodivergent kid looking for attention, not an emergency.
You need to actually talk to his parents, they might not even know he’s doing this- so don’t get CPS involved or the police unless it’s absolutely necessary.
As a person related to a meth head I would hope you would voice your concern to the authorities. You’re a good person. Thanks
You’re right that it’s not typical behavior. I’d ask him if he has a grown up or a parent to talk to about things.