Single mom faces prison time for letting teen daughter babysit | The Donlon Report

[@kairakatniss]

The amount of money and manpower being wasted on this is insane. Any judge who gets a case like this in front of them and doesn't dismiss is right away should not be sitting.

[@SteveinSanFrancisco]

Its probably their crime of the century 🙄

[@TheWalkbyfaith413]

I agree

[@stanleyolszewski7701]

Our country is getting more fucked up by the day.

[@chrisruiz1215]

There's a alot of judges in court that shouldn't be sitting unfortunately

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

Follow the money. These petty over-charged cases are the lifeblood of municipal ''courts''.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

I have never known a family in the u.s. who didn't at some point have an older teen sibling watching the younger kids in the family as babysitter. I mean...wow. Exactly right--if the nosy neighbor was so concerned they should have offered to help.

[@feleciagmiller872]

I had to do it myself.

[@yvettevernet4759]

Exactly!

[@deannaharris6750]

That's what I said

[@iJSabelle007]

Like really?? I watched younger kids when I was 9. But that was in the Philippines 🇵🇭.

[@victorialove3463]

100%. Rigth.

[@elat9523]

shame on the neighbor, shame on the police, shame on the deputy sheriff, shame on the district attorney's office, shame on the court.This should have ended with a helpful neighbor walking this little boy back home to the relief of the older sister...lesson learned, end of discussion. There's no issue here. This is absolutely absurd!

[@johnhughes1783]

The issue is sadistic hateful people allowed to get off crushing the innocent. It's fun for them and apparently allowed.

[@jomama5186]

Yes but it's what could habe happened I guess. He could have been molested, kidnapped, or even hit by a car or wandered into a yard and been attacked by a territorial dog. Luckily, nothing happened.

[@angelrosa6758]

What happened with it takes a village to raise a child with all the single parents today male and female that are raising their children working and providing them you have a stupid Karen that probably does nothing all day except look at magazines and criticize everyone instead of looking in the mirror and criticizing herself

[@breezybest6064]

👆THAT is exactly what should have happened! Shame on that neighbor!

[@bubbles3042]

Ansolutly

[@emilymarek4714]

This has been going on for TWO YEARS? And there’s a one year maximum sentence? Don’t you think she’s paid that price by now? This is sickening. That poor mom! 😢 (And shame on that neighbor!)

[@keystoanotherworld]

Where is the father she made them with?

[@cguzman4340]

Her neighbor must really hate her.

[@ineedhoez]

They offered her community service and a parenting class. She chose this. She got money for a lawyer but not a baby sitter? He teen was doing online school and couldn't pay attention to the escaping child.

[@ineedhoez]

@@keystoanotherworld divcored.

[@cristinbreitkopf626]

@@ineedhoez I hope you never have kids

[@AlifeOfInvitation]

Reckless conduct is taking a parent away from their children when there is no abuse in the home.

[@itsnotthatserious9871]

We have “parents” leaving toddlers in motels while they get high with little to no consequence, but this mother is criminal??? TF is wrong with this country!??!

[@johnhughes1783]

It's filled with hateful predators and the court system is complete garbage like it's employees.

[@leighannkst93]

It's going backwards

[@trext2277]

I know a lady that had her house raided and she kept her kid.

[@drelyn2990]

Right!! Crazy!

[@stardustgirl2904]

I 💯👍🏻 agree with you! 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@corineusa1454]

I totally BACK THE MOM!! This is not a crime.

[@laura121684]

The law apparently backs the Mom, too. I have no idea how the DA decided it was a good idea to prosecute this case. Waste of time and taxpayer money.

[@spirit13the1st6]

@@laura121684 2nd. Time she did this.

[@laura121684]

@@spirit13the1st6 Okay, even at that, if this video is accurate, the law still says that her children can be left in the care of a child 13 and older. The oldest sibling was 14 at the time.

[@TR-qs1qc]

Definitely. This is a money racket. Government overreach.

[@JohnDoe-yq8ox]

The crime was by the government with their unconstitutional covid mandates shutting down the daycare center.

[@discobikerAndRosie]

The friend's mom is a horrid woman. She had no right calling police. I'm the oldest in my family. From the age of 13, I watched my 4 brothers & on occasion, a bunch of my cousins. This case needs to be thrown out. My daughter used to sneak outdoors & run across the street. The neighbor knew I'd be running after her, & he'd keep an eye on her. Sure enough, moments later, he'd see me running past his window to catch my 2 yr old. My husband & I installed a bolt lock high up on our front door & she was no longer able to unlock it for escape. Nothing is completely toddler proof. There wasn't a carseat made, that could keep our daughter in. She was like Houdini. We once found her sound asleep at 8pm. She Never fell asleep before midnight. I searched the house, & found an opened bottle of Dimatap. She had moved a chair, climbed to high shelving, removed the childproof cap, & drank half the bottle. I called poison control. She woke up a few hours later. Mind you, she was 2 but tiny. Strangers thought she was younger. Now, she's 27, raising her own daughter. Thankfully, her kid is easy to watch.

[@valbirkner8131]

👏 agreed! A lot of these folks have never chased a toddler before while doing ANY other task.

[@laurabealmear9293]

I babysat when I was 10! For two families, they would tell my mom I was the most responsible kid and it made me feel proud! This is just stupid, find some real criminals

[@sherriederossett6649]

My oldest daughter used to be babysit at the age of 13. Even a sheriff's officer said that was legal.

[@debfletcherwins6488]

@@laurabealmear9293 Exactly!

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

We lived in a total different time…it takes a village doesn’t apply these days 🤦🏼‍♀️ Maybe if mum felt like she had support she wouldn’t have to leave her kids with a kid.

[@dattielhicks2966]

The neighbor needs to be charged. The child knew where he was going to play with his friend. We did it all the time. That woman was jealous of that single mom. That's crazy

[@mi2ube]

Yeah, I believe she was jealous too. Probably didn’t like her husband checking her out or something. This just goes to show you that these neighbors didn’t get along anyway.

[@Trisha_B_done]

This is crazy! My mom, brother & his wife were all present when my 4 yo nephew slipped out and wondered down the road. It took a few minutes before they realized it. Cops were called bc the neighbor didn't know where kid came from. I was a latchkey kid from age 7, actually babysitting at age 9. I know we live in different times, but Fortunately we had a few stay at home moms who kept an ear and eye out if they were needed. This poor mom shouldn't have this added burden. I live in Georgia and hope this gets resolved in a positive manner for this family.

[@HalfNHalf.]

This is terrible. I hope nothing happens to the mother or her children. There are people that actually deserve to be locked up and this hardworking mother is not one of them.

[@mamacitabambi3558]

I agree, 100%.

[@donotsupportterroristgroups]

I agree!

[@ritacampbell3833]

I agree too. They need to leave that poor mom alone. She really, really did nothing wrong! Nothing. What’s wrong with them? She sounds like a wonderful mother!

[@Nollugs5111]

Some of these Judges...I tell you they deserve to be locked up!

[@mertieb73]

I agree.

[@lauralou4852]

“Not to judge the neighbor” Well, I AM. It’s heartbreaking that she didn’t offer HELP instead of trying to HURT that family unit. This is heartbreaking . 🙄

[@trudivecchione9642]

Exactly. Sounds to me like someone is jealous of their pretty neighbor and wants to cause her trouble. Also sounds like she may have "official" connections for it to get this far. How petty and anti- family can you get?!!!

[@gcf5434]

i think there must be some negative history there with the neighbour. so stupid.

[@MissEddieBlueKawaiiKrafts]

I think her name is Karen 😋

[@ifonlyicared]

The neighbor is a Bitch! Like seriously?! She was jealous of a beautiful single mother still looking good after having five kids. The fact that she called the cops was PATHETIC. She is responsible for destroying a family.

[@QueenLadyQ]

Right this is disturbing people don't care anymore. It could have happened to the neighbor

[@MsDropofrain]

DA has nothing better to do as to prosecute a hardworking parent trying to provide food and shelter to her 5 kids? She wasn't drunk at a bar and wasn't doing drugs - she was at work!!! Now, taking her away from the kids and putting her in a prison, what's the purpose of that? That neighbour is something. If their kids were truly "friends" she would not better than calling police. smh

[@sabrinakeys250]

They should charge the fathers.

[@MsDropofrain]

@@sabrinakeys250 we don't know why she's a single parent. Did I miss that detail in the report? I lost my son in law a year ago to a tragic accident and my daughther became a widow at 35.

[@MeaThreattoDemocracy]

@@sabrinakeys250 Haven't they suffered enough?

[@926paaja]

There are a 1000 cases they could be prosecuting... real criminals. This is such a waste of resources and terrible for this family.

[@cristineconnell7803]

Her teen wasn't out back flirting with boys drinking & doing drugs! She was doing school work for a few! The neighbor is disgusting in my opinion, as well as any who charged her!

[@cindylouwho6053]

This happened to me!!!! She was a few months from being 13!!!!! We were on our way home from work. Minutes away. The police had been called. The actual babysitter.... An adult.. Was next door with an eye's view of the kids. The babysitter was looking for something that she had dropped in the neighbor's yard. Since the actual babysitter was not on the property this became a criminal offense to the police. The police gave me a warning. Yet... They said they will come back and arrest me if it happens again. I was never so upset and was treated so badly as I had been done. This is so wrong. SMH....

[@mommyfindingfit]

It's amazing that you can go to jail for NOT breaking the law.

[@Realityof76]

I miss the 80’s-2000- people actually had common sense and helped their neighbors out instead of trying to get them in legal trouble. There is so much wrong with people now. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙁

[@soberlies21]

When people had the ‘it takes a village’ mentality. Now it’s every man for himself.

[@erin77wr96]

Its the demonic takeover of our country. The left and rhinos, have taken God out of alot of aspects of our society, so people are turning now

[@Lulusvideos1]

I would’ve confronted the mother when she got home. Why call the police unless it happened over and over several times?

[@gleefulme9617]

I was babysitting other people's children at age 12. I think the sherif & DA should be sued for malicious prosecution. The 4 yr old obvious was OK. These folks are nuts!

[@michelesmith2620]

Same here, although I think I could have been 11. This is crazy.

[@Curious-Irish-Angel]

The "friends mom" (of the 4 year old) called the cops? So that "mom" was obviously home and instead of lending a helping hand (even if it was for that day until the other mom could get home) she could have even had a side chat of her disapproval or call the other mom she instead opted to call the cops.? How ridiculous. I would babysit my brother at age 10, my brother was 8 after-school everyday from 3:30 till 5:30 pm when my mom and dad got home from work. They laid out rules (no cooking, using the toaster, never answer the door, etc and my mom would call everyday on the spot at 3:30 pm to make sure we were home safe from school and I had her and my dad's work numbers incase of an emergency and had already known about stranger danger and what to do if I needed emergency services. Just heartless to call the cops on a mom who was obviously struggling through the pandemic.

[@circesoul2218]

I don't think anybody (even stay home moms) owe single parents anything but she could've minded her own business. On the other hand others say the kid babysitting is developmentally challenged so idk.

[@angelaroberts2882]

Yup… I did the same abs before that I was a latch key kid at the age of 5. Not saying being a latch key is ok but it happened. The neighbor was foul for that call.

[@johnhughes1783]

@Susel Thought the same. The local law enforcement is absolute garbage.

[@hessbaptiste3012]

I know right

[@lisaevon8274]

You said it!

[@sherryl817]

This is totally insane!! I can't believe the neighbor was so petty and called police on her.

[@marieked]

That’s ridiculous! I was babysitting at night when I was 14, and it was not an issue. We all did it.

[@melissajohnson3308]

This is absurd....she should have never ever been charged!WTF!!She was at work not in a bar!!!!

[@ruthiebella]

Its not absurd because the child could've easily walked into the street. The Georgia law is children (13) thirteen years and older, who are at an adequate level of maturity, may be left alone and may perform the role of babysitter, as authorized by the parent, for up to twelve hours. Not everyone is mature enough to babysit and/or qualified. Babysitters should be CPR, and first aid trained because emergencies can happen.

[@shari9721]

@@ruthiebella that 4 yr old could have wandered out the door just as easily with a parent working from home online or in the laundry room or sitting on the toilet seriously . The Mother did nothing wrong and neither did the teen sister/babysitter . The fact that charges have been laid is absolutely sickening and ridiculous .

[@erinwill6743]

@@ruthiebella the babysitter was 14! Not even 13.

[@Sochi314]

Heck even if she was at a dang bar the teen was legally allowed to babysit.

[@muddirt8040]

It's democrats in positions they shouldn't be in. Democrats should be in no position of decisions. Democrats are tearing the country in half. Plus democrat adults have sex with 14 year olds .. but they won't let them watch their brothers and sisters.?

[@rebeccaoliver7977]

Mom was in an impossible situation. Too bad the neighbor couldn't have helped in some way. The poor 14 year old must feel guilt for the cost and trouble of her moms. An adult can't watch their kids while working any more than a kid can give attention to school and watch a sibling. Hope this gets cleared up.

[@robinwagner3293]

Me too. I hope so. Now, one of the first things the neighbor could have done was go over and check on everyone and ask the daughter if she was okay, or needed anything, not call the police. The problem is, you don't even know your neighbors now. Very sad. I'm sorry y'all. Some things just really get to me.

[@amybennett8901]

The neighbor is a pos

[@judybrown1810]

I started babysitting at 13. And my sibs. Mom and dad cane home and saw the band.. was grounded

[@liverpooljft9623]

She had already been warned about leaving the children under the care of her learing disabled daughter. She needs to be punished, as she doesn't see any issue with her toddler being found naked, wondering the streets alone, MULTIPLE TIMES. If she can't work and watch the kids obviously her disabled daughter can't attend class and watch the 4 other kids. Give the father/fathers some custody if she can't manage. Its child neglect plain and simple, if you don't know where your 4 year old is, thats neglect and child endangerment.

[@robinwagner3293]

@@liverpooljft9623 Oh okay, thanks for clarifying that. I did not know all that information. That does change things.

[@sheilafernandes397]

She didn't go to the party she went to work, leave her alone.

[@dawnmiller5371]

Shame on that neighbor for calling the police especially when the sister was able to locate the sibling within 10 minutes of missing. And shame on the prosecutor for even bringing charges against the mother for this.

[@palmadaniels761]

What a jerk of a neighbor to call the cops on this woman trying to support her family. 14 years old is well old enough to babysit. I did alot of babysitting when I was 14 and younger, even brand new infants. Judge should throw this!!!

[@divadasoraled144]

This is the problem with today's culture. When I was growing up, girls turned 13 and then they could babysit. They could take the kids to the park, swimming, a movie, whatever. And cell phones didn't exist. That neighbor is a definite Karen.

[@Jblaze024]

I was watching my brother and sisters after school when I was in the 5th grade back in 1985.

[@leighannkst93]

Exactly!!!

[@divadasoraled144]

@@Jblaze024 omfg I graduated in '83. You were only like 10 years old! How many of your siblings survived? You were probably with them and not blowing your boyfriend in the other room. DISCLAIMER: NOT ALL babysitters do this!! *Just the fun ones

[@Jblaze024]

@@divadasoraled144 no, both parents had to work and I had to grow up quick and learn responsibilities.

[@judylawless5849]

Tell us what we can do to help this poor working mom she’s got a beautiful family

[@sophieboisvert]

YESS SHE DOES AND THOSE SHERIFS ARE EVIL MONSTERS

[@laylaanton1595]

birth control might help

[@depp5601]

@@laylaanton1595 Wow, victim blaming much? Gross.

[@kristinsreese]

@@laylaanton1595 Well it obviously didn't work on you, so....?

[@laylaanton1595]

@@kristinsreese forgive me for stating the obvious. just because you don't like the presentation doesn't mean I'm wrong and you know it!

[@apv5774]

Wtf? At 11 years old, I was watching my brothers since dad left by then and his mistress would come to harrass us. I would cook, clean and made sure my brothers were safe..We managed. I bet that friend's mom did it out of spite of jealousy of this beautiful successful mom, otherwise she would've offered to help. I stand by this mother!

[@ruthiebella]

You stand by her because the kid is unharmed, you would feel differently if the kid walked into the street and was hit by a car.

[@redrose41000]

@@ruthiebella - Have you ever been a single Mom?

[@TI77Y7ACE]

@@ruthiebellaI actually understand in a way what u are saying bc if the kids were being left with another adult & something happened, the responsibility would fall on that adult babysitter & we would say well why wasn’t he/she watching the child good enough, what was he/she doing ? At one point we are saying well it’s legal for her to watch the children at 14.. but if something serious happened.. we would be saying well she’s only 14, where were the parents? Always looking to blame someone. But in this case the kid was fine & it happens every single day where kids get away from us without something happening believe it or not. Money shouldn’t be wasted here in my opinion. Covid turned the world upside down & the mom was at work. It sucks the daughter had to be in class online & watch her siblings at the same time, but this family was amongst every family on the planet affected by Covid

[@robynweeks6004]

Me too..

[@ruthiebella]

@@TI77Y7ACE That's how the law works, someone must be held accountable

[@jae38007]

Heart breaking 💔 This is crazy and more so idiotic of the county who actually thinks this is a case to even push.

[@pearlhall3787]

Some friend! I'm 68 and i started babysitting for families at age 13. This is ridiculous. What a cut throat world we live in these days.

[@A.Rose.G]

Imagine the stress on the 14 year old. The guilt. I would actually call THIS child abuse. By the sheriff, the judge.

[@soberlies21]

And the neighbor.

[@halfwaymo9075]

Hope the girl understands, this isn't her fault ITS THE WOMAN WHO REPORTED THIS B.S

[@lisaevon8274]

Agree 100%!

[@ineedhoez]

Agreed. It wasn't the first time that The child escaped the house. The last time the police warned her that she could get in trouble. The mother should have implemented some type of mechanism to ensure that that child escape the house or the teenager does its job and watches the freaking kid. Considering how the teenager was attending online classes because she was in school. the teen couldn't supervise The Escape Artist toddler. That is a failure on the mother. 1 time is an accident. Two time is wrecklessness.

[@angelwings7930]

And the narcissistic looking mom who keeps popping out babies. Who needs 5 kids ?

[@bonnemoms5413]

Whomever got her arrested and Whomever arrested her (who was in charge) should compensate her legal fees and everything else this had caused. This is obsurd.

[@philesiaj.wilcox-bartsch6206]

This is definately a Case where someone should start a Go Fund Me , for this Single mother WHO has all These legal Bills in top of Being the primary Provider for her Family.!!!

[@alienflower7651]

@@philesiaj.wilcox-bartsch6206 Go fund me is horrible, we need alternatives. They are a terrible company that only helps when it fits their agenda

[@jenc8953]

The neighbors were fed up with the mom being negligent. The 4yr old was found outside alone multiple times by neighbors in unsafe situations and was once found outside walking around naked from the waist down and a neighbor had to pick up the little boy and take him home to notify his sister to put some clothes on the kid. This is the reason why the neighbors called the cops and ultimately why the mom was arrested. Clearly her a babysitting plan was not working out since her 14yr old daughter was not able to supervise the child while she was zooming for school.

[@ineedhoez]

Well, she had an opportunity to take a plea deal and do some community service and take a parenting class. She decided to fight it. She got money for a lawyer but she don't have money for a proper babysitter?

[@jennifer9528]

@uneedhoez, are you seriously copy/pasting the same comment in everyone's threads? Get a life.

[@Quarton]

Poor mom! I feel for her, having 5 kids of my own (all grown now). Being a single mom, I think she should be left alone! She's got enough to worry about as it is!!! This neighbor (like on Bewitched: Gladys Kravitz!) is a nosey busy-body - they should have offered to help, not call the Police!

[@CaliWeHo]

Yes! 👏👏👏😖

[@honeybunch5765]

Yes that neighbour is horrible! I would have asked the mom if I could help instead of phoning the police. Some neighbours are just horrid people.

[@johnhughes1783]

The neighbor is helping herself to further her persona as a backstabbing creep.This isn't the first person she's abused, she probably has no power and gets off crushing people's spirits. As for the DA that doesn't have real work to do is a sadistic monster also, maybe he should date the neighbor, I doubt they would get along without backstabbing each other though.

[@daughteroftheking2340]

This is despicable...help the woman not send her to prison for 2 years. How sicjed and wicked these cops are judge. Remember, God will judge you for how you treat the least. Absolutely morally disgusting. Please post the pictures of this police department and this judge. This is completely outrageous.

[@reginabrock4043]

I use to live in Blairsvilles. When I first moved there. I was told the sheriff then couldnt drive him self cause of dui's.

[@angtxsun4460]

This is about more than a 14 yr old watching a 6 y old. It is about a 14 yr old who was in school watching and monitoring four younger siblings while they are in school. Her attention was expected to be split between her own schooling and that of four younger siblings. That may be legal, but it isn’t ok. This family, like many others, needed assistance. The schools should have known this, and allowed the 14 yr old to not be live in classes but work on her own time so she could watch her siblings. Asking her to do both was beyond what a 14 yr old should be asked to do. How do we know this? Thousands of adults were trying to work full time jobs online while also trying to monitor their own children in online school. How many were monitoring four kids at the same time?

[@myanamatheney8717]

i just have to say the mom is absolutely gorgeous!! does not look like a mom of 5 at all! god bless her and her children. ❤️ i was left alone with my twin siblings after school when i was 9!

[@Shutterbuggs1991]

This is wildly insane, all of this, a pandemic, being putting in these absolutely impossibly situations for parents and now she’s arrested and fighting legal costs and battles?! My goodness… 🤦‍♀️

[@amixedgoddess]

Yep smh the world we have to live in

[@taylorbug9]

I'm glad she's fighting it and I hope she sues everyone involved after.

[@Starlitwarrior]

On top of trying to feed, clothe, and care for 5 children in her own. What a mess!

[@Pennywisethenanny]

She broke no law. My neighbor leaves her 10 year old alone with 3 year old triplets and a 6 year old brother to go have coffee at her friends house. I was told by a RI judge, her child care is at her discretion. This woman went to work.

[@americasamericas5782]

a ten year old is young. Age is determined by the STATES A PERSON LIVING IN. CALIFORNIA IS 14 YEARS OF AGE UNLESS IT'S BEEN CHANGED

[@bonnemoms5413]

When I was 11 I babysat for 3 younger children. When you are mature enough you can do it.

[@ruthiebella]

That's call neglect

[@spiritwings4592]

Wow you tried to get them in trouble. Mind your own business. I was watching kids at 10yrs . You definitely need a life

[@shari9721]

@@spiritwings4592 she was concerned and looking after the safety of the children , 10 yrs old is NOT old enough , mature enough or capable nor should be expected to take care of the safety and well being of THREE 3 yr old triplets AND a 6 yr old to boot . That "mother" is wrong , it is neglectful , dangerous and too much responsibility for a 10 yr old . I guarantee if something happened to one of those kids you would be the first to say the Mother was wrong and the first to blame this person for "knowing the kids were being left alone and not doing anything about it " . As for this story neither the Mother not the teen sister/babysitter did anything wrong and the fact that charges have been filed is disgusting and ridiculous .

[@dawn6232]

Seriously?!!! How about the courts spend their time on keeping children away from abusive, even deadly “parents” where the child ends up dead as vengeance against the ex?? How about we spend time and money on that?!

[@itzflowers4me]

Exactly! Agreed 💯%

[@AA-gl1dr]

Too hard, cops aren’t that good nowadays. Gotta stick to the easy stuff.

[@ineedhoez]

Nope. The courts gave her it out. They said she could do a little bit of community service and take a parenting class and they will drop the charges. She declined plea deal.

[@meanderingmuse8101]

The little boy may have slipped out, but he went to a known friend's house. He wasn't wandering around anywhere dangerous. I know of daycares who have had way worse things happen with children wandering away and getting totally lost 14 is old enough to watch other children! And that mom who called the police could have instead offered to be helpful and check in on the kids for the working mom. This seems like some sort of spite and revenge thing on her part. What a POS. If the working mom loses her kids and they go to foster care then that one who called is responsible for breaking up a family. How awful!

[@HELLOkitty90210]

So by the words of their OWN LAW she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Throw the neighbor, arresting officer, and the judge in JAIL for wasted resources and time. So on top of this single mom feeling bad and having felt no other option available…. all these people are making a poor 14 year feel worse than she already does. Sad excuse for adults.

[@GoCoyote]

When my oldest son was crawling, his mother and I had a moment where I thought he was with her, and she thought he was with me. My son crawled across the street and to the door of a neighbor. The neighbor just sent her teenage daughter over to return him. My son was quite happy, and we were mortified. It would never even occur to us that anyone would call the cops, as it was simply an accident. Every parent and child has stories like this. It does not mean that they are bad parents in any way. It is just crazy to arrest a parent for using her judgment that she could leave her children in the care of their sibling while she made sure their bills were paid to ensure food and shelter for them all. I could understand the neighbor returning the child, checking up on them, and then later having a conversation with the mother. The neighbor could have made sure the children were not being abused or neglected, and then offered to help in some way.

[@amybennett8901]

You are 100 percent correct my son was right next to me I worked nights I fell asleep with him on my lap next thing I know neighbor knocking on the door my son was in the middle of the road innocent mistake it happens her neighbor thinks more highly of herself then the position she put these kids in she rotten and wrong...

[@amybennett8901]

All kids do shit like this and the judges should know it they are all power hungry instead of them being grateful the child was returned safely and not end up dead somewhere they spent more time and money on this case then they probably do real cases of neglect and abuse fucking absurd

[@normacolon9618]

Perfect.. neighbor may not know this mother..these days people keep to themselves..she might've have wanted to be precautious.

[@mamacitabambi3558]

This is so wrong. I hope someone can start a petition to help this woman, and show those responsible that we support her. Idk how to do it. I don't see where the woman did anything wrong!

[@tracyperez1755]

She didn't. The nosy neighbor must be a real Karen. Probably looks down on her because she's a single mother. This Karen may have ruined these kids lives, if they end up in the system, which sucks! This nosy, can't mind her own business neighbor may be subjecting these children to neglect, abuse or sexual abuse in the care of the "system". I hope the little B is happy with her self righteous self.

[@Makingofabetterlife]

I left this exact comment on Inside Editions post. I will definitely sign.

[@sabrinakeys250]

Right. Karen should have minded her own business.

[@amybennett8901]

@@tracyperez1755 I hope she gets a taste of her own medicine because No mother is perfect and this women is doing the best she can do her Neighbor cares more about herself then the child because she didn't do the right thing at all

[@Twiddledup]

The neighbor might just be jealous of this young beautiful mother! She wasn’t out prostituting at night and left her children! I’m sure she’s not the first to have left her children . Some mothers leave their children alone at age of 2!!!! We hear about this things all the time!

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

OMG! Punish a single mom for supporting her family! Disgusting!

[@michelesmith2620]

Many go on the dole/welfare. The government actually PAYS them. This seems to be a problem for the middle class, as in they get no aid. Interesting how that works...

[@EmmaDee]

Yeah, I could really make some comments here but that neighbor better hope her name never gets out.

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

@@EmmaDee I am with you Amy! I am a Semi-Retired Social Worker and an Aboriginal Youth Elder that has worked in Aboriginal/ Criminal Justice for 40+ yrs and should she require such I will assist free of charge of course! How dare they punish a responsible parent!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kimbermichelle3922]

@@michelesmith2620 let bring in Welfare because this white women is in trouble. Her neighbor is the only problem in this case.

[@tcplee]

Yeah i guess she shoulda stayed home and taken the “enhanced unemployment” that so many lazy turds did during the pandemic

[@kevinverduci7600]

Why don't they help that poor girl. This country is amazing they'll put this much effort into hurting a young single mother. She's obviously working hard and trying to make sure all the kids are educated

[@RibbitHopX]

I had a former neighbor kid come to my house for food all the time. I fed him and finally got a list of food pantries to give his mom. We need to be helpful to each other.

[@stressbucket9846]

I feel for the mom but I REALLY feel for the 14 year old. And the boy 😔. Teens feel things so intensely, so, they probably carry feelings of guilt. Poor kids.

[@questionresearch8721]

It sounds like the neighbor who called the police was waiting for an opportunity to get the mom in trouble.

[@Kay-mj5qm]

She is a very good looking mom. Probably that’s the problem. An ugly envious neighbor called the police instead of being a good neighbor and lend them a helping hand. Shame on you bad neighbor.

[@1981cvalentine]

Right? The stup!d Karen that called the cops is probably one of those women that Seeths with anger and jealousy and afraid her husband checks the single mom out or something and called for some internal petty reason like pure jealousy . I bet if it were her family member or friend this happened to she wouldn’t call the cops. Guaranteed. Women that bash other women like this are disgusting🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@humaneleaguelancPA]

Yes, women can be nasty and jealous, have had it happen to me, being bullied by other women at jobs, not that I am anything special to look at, but I am nice to most people and extend myself to new co-workers. People would tell the bullies are jealous....and I'm like WHAT?? of what, me?? Women can be mean.

[@nxtchpforme9154]

Mom is gorgeous. Neughbirvysxa jealous Karen. GOD DELIVERS MELISSA AND HER FAMILY.

[@56cadd]

@Haley Tathem make up is cool.. Try some dude.

[@imacarguy4065]

Are they going to arrest all the other parents who do this? And the government really has the nerve to prosecute a woman who had no choice but to leave her kids at home because of rules they put in place. For the record, I PERSONALLY don't have anything against the rules, just the lack of empathy by the people who put the rules in place. People aren't privileged enough to afford Babysitters especially at this point of time.

[@angelrosa6758]

The neighbor's name is Karen wanting to get into everybody's business pointing out everybody's faults but afraid to look in the mirror

[@spoonfullofsugar6247]

You have got to be kidding me. What was she supposed to do? No one was hurt and this could happen to any adult. Kids do that. Turn your back for 2 seconds and their gone. She went and collected him and he was (thankfully) safe. They look like a happy family. The kids are clean and smiling in the photos. They do not look neglected like some of these other stories we see. I cannot believe they arrested her. Why hasn’t this been dismissed? Sheesh her neighbor could have offered a hand instead of piling a nightmare on top of this hard working single mom. SMH

[@superslice28magee68]

The neighbor is a Karen.

[@surgicaltechcrafter2169]

The nosey neighbor is jelly of this beautiful mom. Thanks to her now this SINGLE mom will get even more attention maybe her husband thinks she's hot she had to get even.

[@jonnaborosky8836]

It shows how responsible the 14 year old was in that she figured out where her sibling had gone and took appropriate action by going to get the child...without harm or injury.

[@mindyflow3035]

As a stay at home mom of five myself, I know this situation can absolutely happen, even if you aren’t “working” or doing school. Had it been 5 hours without her checking on her brother, there would have been cause for concern, but 15 minutes? This is absurd. When I was four, I walked down the street to go see my friend without letting my mom know. My stay at home mom was frantic as it took her longer than 15 minutes to find me. The last time she had seen me, she was doing laundry and I was happily playing with my toys. Side note: I didn’t ever do it again! The teenager did nothing wrong and neither did her mom.

[@ineedhoez]

This wasn't the first time though. When it happened the first time in the cops told you that you could go to jail for this shit, I'm sure you would have implemented some kind of system to ensure that it didn't happen again. Even if you had to lock the child in the room with you, you would do it.

[@reginabrock4043]

Absolutely kids wonder out no matter if parents are home are not. Get a life nosey neighbor

[@reginabrock4043]

Absolutely kids wonder out no matter if parents are home are not. Get a life nosey neighbor

[@alissaswofford4554]

🤬Anyone else tired of the endless prosecution of innocent people while they let criminals off daily?!

[@BeneGesseritSaya]

Bruh there are abandoned and abused kids roaming the streets of Houston. How bout law enforcement get their priorities together? This is ABSURD!

[@ritacampbell3833]

The neighbor is the problem! I was living in an apartment, so many years ago. The mom let her three year old outside to play on the yard. A lot of neighbors would be out from time to time. It was a weekday morning. It was a beautiful sunny day. I happened to be out on the breezeway, upstairs, about to go down the stairs, and I spied a grown man I had never seen before who was walking off with the little girl, and they were holding hands. I knew something was very, very wrong. I called her name and she looked up. I called her to me. The man let her go, and ran off. I took her straight to her mamas door, told her mama what had happened, and asked her to be more careful. She was a very nice lady. She and her husband were just a nice young couple with a toddler and an infant. Wild horses couldn’t have made me call the cops on my neighbor for being a young mother and making a mistake I was absolutely sure she’d never make again! People really call the police way too darn much, these days, and it’s not right. They are a bigger problem than anything else. A lot of the police today seem trained to shoot first and think later. I would never call the police on any loving, struggling, good mother or parents. That just would not be right. Busy body, judge mental, heartless people are the problem these days. What ever happened to being a good neighbor?

[@sandilobianco6734]

It’s not considered child abuse to let your child cross the border alone or with a stranger. We can’t have 2 sets of laws

[@lidiasmith1579]

The friend is a “BITCH” not a friend. Wow! It’s hard enough for a mother to make decisions to leave her babies to be cared for by anyone. My gosh she does not deserve to be in jail. My prayers to her & her kids

[@darlenemestas5839]

What cop did she turn down for a date? Because this is just harassment.

[@paulhutchings7527]

This is just wrong on so many levels. We need to do better America for our single moms

[@donnaknudson7296]

This is putting an extreme amount of stress on the mother and children, I'm sure. Where are the kids going if their mom goes to jail? Foster care system? Now that is a dangerous situation. Can you imagine being a mother having to worry about the fate of your children that way? Also, the anxiety the children might be feeling? Not to mention all the financial losses and the consequences of that. That neighbor is terrible.

[@reginabrock4043]

That is sad & at least she wasnt getting unemployment like most did. She was working trying to raise 5 kids on her own. I was a single mom who raise one & its hard. My prayers goes out to tht family.

[@greeneyedkygirl3939]

Follow the money. It's all about the family court system and the the criminal justice corruption. There's is no due process and now this single mom has to pay an attorney, miss work for all of the court dates that they drag out, while they try to paint her as a bad mother and will probably force her into parenting classes, again out more money. The nosey neighbor Karen should have stayed in her own lane. I was a key latch kid in the 80s and my younger brother and I walked home from school while both parents held down full time jobs in Cincinnati. I was 10 and we were just fine. Then again, we had good neighbors, not Karens!

[@roxiefern]

"Back in the day" I was babysitting at 11&1/2 to 12 years old already.

[@CaliWeHo]

Me too! It has gotten ridiculous!!!

[@leighannkst93]

Same here!

[@jrjames9106]

All the resources spent on this instead of the people causing death on are streets is ridiculous.. let's spend are time and money on real problems here.. take it to trial so we the people can let her go home to be with her kids

[@tammydetrick6279]

Seriously ? Are they kidding? The woman is trying to support her family. There are tons of families that leaves the oldest child to babysit. Stop harrassing people who are trying hard. Babysitters are expensive. Good grief.

[@bredbornraised808hawaii4]

This is RIDICULOUS!!!!!!! This mom would be ridiculed if she was a “stay at home on welfare” mom, now shes being ridiculed for being a “working mom” that left her 14Y/O daughter in charge of watching her siblings. This is just heinous. Cops there should’ve been fighting some REAL CRIME! Insane.

[@shalexiadavis1378]

As the oldest of 5 siblings, I had to watch and take minor care of my younger siblings.. When I was a teen my mom had two major surgeries and was a diabetic. I don't regret being there for my family and I love being an older sister.

[@BeautyWithTiffy]

OMG!!! Seriously HELP the single mom!!!! This is awful!!!! Poor mom has to feed, cloth and keep a roof over the kids heads! W the heck?!!!

[@bruce12347]

You have to be a special kind of cruel to call the police on a single mom for no reason. People need to have more compassion.

[@lynzysconstitutionalcrashc7836]

I walked ALONE to and from school starting at 8yrs old. My mom was at work by the time I got up for school and she didn't return home from work until 6 or 7 in the evening. At 14/15 I took a city bus across town to go to school. Parents often have to make tough decisions due to work schedules. Punishment is not the answer.

[@sueballmann1381]

The deputy sheriff and the judge need to be fired and thrown in jail over this. The mother needs to counter sue for MILLIONS.

[@bonnemoms5413]

I used to babysit 3 younger kids when I was ELEVEN! It's all about the kids maturity and what they can handle. She's an older sibling of that many, she's got this. The mom wouldn't have left her alone with them if she didn't think she could handle it. Why on earth I'd this still in court?!

[@buttafly1075]

Yup you aged me too! 😂 😂 😂 This is ridiculous! This mom should never have been arrested! Smdh

[@cinlombo]

Sounds like a very envious neighbor.

[@Horseluvver]

I was 11 when I started babysitting...took care of my little brother & sister long before that. What's wrong here? Jealous, narcissistic neighbor.

[@armyofone5219]

I was 11 or 12 when I started to watch up to 3 kid families. 14 years old is old enough to watch kids.

[@jolenehendrickson8915]

Leave her alone

[@gloriabridges6235]

There's more here than meets the eye. This arrest is ridiculous. We see children abused, neglected and killed daily. DAILY. And yet the parents never even get a warning from Child Protection or the Judicial System. So what's really going on here?

[@Natalee956]

The one that called the police I hope feels really bad What happened with mind your own business neighbour

[@Pennywisethenanny]

What happen to “it takes a village” why would the neighbor not offer to help?

[@CaliWeHo]

@@Pennywisethenanny Exactly! I mean the B was already at home!

[@judyostler863]

What a RIDICULOUS thing to charge this mother with! I can’t believe the neighbor was so quick to call police! Definitely should be THROWN OUT of court!

[@aimeewilliamsgarrett6754]

I was a babysitter when I was 14. This is ridiculous and it’s wasting time and money. Taking this mother away from her children is more of a crime than having an older sibling babysit.

[@danielc3472]

Why didn’t the neighbor try and help instead of being a Karen and calling the police?

[@debbysalmon2498]

They will take good kids sway from a good mom. Yet give the ones who are beaten back to the bad parents. I hope all the other neighbors offer help, now that this story is out. Wouldn't want to be the neighbor that called cops.

[@marieslabbert6009]

This is absurd. Also the neighbour reported this was also in my opinion doing that malisciously. It was totally unnecessary. The children are clearly well taken off.

[@brendawigington1751]

Moms need to be protected! She did Not endanger the children ! She did not break the law !

[@Godislove4517]

I don't think the neighbor did anything wrong by calling the police. We don't know what that 4 year old told her. Little kids don't always express themselves well. She may have just been concerned about the kids. I do think it was right for the police to respond on account that there's kids involved. The officer should have went to the home saw that everything was fine and left because everything was fine. Its not ideal but mom didn't do anything wrong here.

[@kccox8516]

The neighbor could've been a friend, and offered to check on Children, rather than creating trouble for the family.

[@GodsChosenMekAmoR]

Exactly

[@lmcg9103]

How much does the state get for taking away the children from the home? Some states get $6000. Per child

[@CaliWeHo]

It's always money, eh? Disgraceful. Why was the neighbor so quick to judge? Shame on her/him!

[@CaliWeHo]

"Neighbor" - what a b****! 🤯

[@hennydearpottymouthprepper415]

Omg

[@johnhughes1783]

Noticed the court was acting like she was putting "their property " in peril. Stealing people's children is profitable, as is confiscating cash, veicles and valuables with that lame "it could be drug money " line. I avoid driving at odd hours or being out of state. These so called "legal" highway bandits are garbage and arrest, beat and kill innocent people, turn their body cameras off and lie about it. I don't like criminals wanting to defund the police it seems self serving. With a good amount of poor counties and garbage legal systems how can you respect police you don't know, some are cruel sociopaths and some let this happen, seem like gang members do the same things.

[@donnacsuti4980]

I see nothing wrong with what the mother did. I can't believe the other mother decided to call the police!! Instead of putting the kids in the car and driving the naughty boy home which is what I would have done.

[@artisticdriver4218]

This should not be an issue. This should be dismissed. 14 is old enough and this sounds like unlawful imprisonment. This neighbor over reacted from the sounds of it. There are 14 year olds having children and your punishing someone for being a single parent. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@climbjt]

But the sheriff doesn’t have the time or resources to handle real criminals?? Or respond to real crime?? This makes me feel so much safer?

[@RedRose4141]

Omg. Makes me wonder who "the friend's" mother knows!

[@andreaf5765]

This teen is 14 and simply watching her siblings. Yet there are teens out there that have killed their own newborns and serve no time..... this mom shouldn't have been arrested much less serve any type of time

[@bnwo]

I think the sheriff probably wanted a date with the mom and she said no.

[@marinadoerksen8107]

I'm sure she's better at taking care of her siblings than a whole lot of mothers out there!

[@jeanneratterman4174]

This is ridiculous. The neighbor was overzealous and judgmental to call police. I babysat at age 13, outside my parents home - twin baby boys age 3, an older 5 year old sibling. I bathed, changed diapers, cooked dinner, cleaned up and swept the floor, and put them to bed, then cleaned up their toys. I also babysat e 3 younger siblings at home when needed. THIS arrest is frivolous! Seriously messed up. That it has gotten this far is a waste of resources.

[@angelaroberts2882]

What the…. I was an entire latch key kid in the 80’s at the age of 5. I let myself in and waited for my mom to ride her bike home from cleaning houses. These are some strange days and times. Her kids are fine and now she’s paying legal fees. Absolutely ridiculous!

[@msross2323]

This is so unfair. She did nothing wrong...free mom. My older daughter watched her two brothers all the time when I was at work and I had a neighbor check on them. I can not believe that her neighbor would call the police instead of speaking to the and offering to help..if she/he really care. Now these kids could lose their mom for a year....this is so wrong!

[@ruthiebella]

You stand by her because the kid is unharmed, you would feel differently if the kid walked into the street and was hit by a car.

[@michelesmith2620]

@@ruthiebella Stop spamming.

[@michelesmith2620]

If anything, it's the father's fault for not paying enough child support for her to afford a babysitter.

[@heatherjordan8038]

This is so ridiculous!! I remember being 13 babysitting my cousins--6, 7 & 9 in a different country even! And it was not a big deal at all. I babysat them for hours every day in the summer. Have people gone insane with softness in the head?! I'm thinking the neighbor parent didn't like this mother and wanted to start trouble.. well she did... but honestly, dismiss this bogus charge on this good mother of 5 now and don't waste the supreme court's time.

[@yvonnesanford452]

My mom went to work when I was 11 and my sister was 13. We had a 7 year old brother and an infant brother. We took complete care of them with no problems. I also babysat when I was 12 for 4 kids full time. I was totally capable of caring for them all. I didn't know that there was even an age limit for babysitting back then.

[@janetbryant558]

Shame on that neighbor! Younger children slip away in a split second. Kids will be kids at all ages. Neighbor should have called the house or took child back home & asked did you know he was gone? That would have solved the problem.