Child abuse

[Imdone12]

I let my kids go to there dads house for the weekend and my oldest daughter (6) called me on Saturday night crying telling me that she wanted to come home. I didn't understand why she lives going to her dads and has never had a problem. He was at work and the kids were home with his mom and step dad. I told her she would be ok and to call me in the morning she started crying even more so I agreed to go get her. When I got there (5minutes) away his mom answered the door and told me that I could not take her and that it was her sons night. I told her that I didn't care and she called me crying saying that she wanted to come home. She was acting wired and would not let me in the house so I started calling for my daughter and I could hear her screaming for me. The mom kept trying to **** the door in my face and I finally pushed past her and went in the house anyways. I found my daughter locked in the bedroom so that she could not come to me and when I opened the door I could see that someone had slapped her across her face you could see the visible handprint. I starte screaming and asking who hit her and both adults denied Anythkng had happened. I took all three if my girls home and waited for there dad to get off work. I'm the mean time my daughter to me it was the step father that hit her because she wasn't listening. I don't know what to do

[allmymarbles]

I would not press charges and cause more turmoil. It was a slap (inappropriate) but not a torture or broken bones. Everything has been settled between your ex and you. Let it all go and get on with your lives.

[specialmom]

Let me tell you what is the really best of news here-----------  that your ex is on the exact same page as you!  That is fantastic and says something great about the both of you that you've worked things out that way.  

He'll be a tremendous help here as he'll make sure that his babies aren't over at their house again.  Maybe his mom locked her up because she was afraid of the repercussions (such as she is getting now) of what her husband did but that is unacceptable and makes her an accomplice to the problem.

I don't know if I'd press charges other than to get an official record of it.  I only say that because your husband is right with you that the kids can't go there again.  And it will totally divide the family.  but then again, maybe that is just fine in this case.  Obviously a man that loses his temper and hits a child across the face hard enough to make a mark and then trying to lock a child away from their mother is bad news and two people that aren't too safe to be around your kids.  Did you take a picture?  

Anyway, I'm glad you were able to rescue her that night and sorry this happened.  I'm glad your ex is so responsible as to take the right side in this!  good luck

[margypops]

I dont think I would allow my child to stay there ..it seems the step dad has a problem , the children have to be protected , I suggest the Dad sees /visits them somewhere else .

[Imdone12]

I didn't understand her locking her up either. The father and I are still good friends and don't really follow the coustody arrangements. He is allowed to see them whenever he wants to. I told him what happened and he went over to his moms house and went off. She said that my daughter continued to not listen and the step father was already in a bad mood and lost his temper. I asked my daughter of he had ever hit her before and she said no never. I did call and speak to the police and am now deciding with the father if we want to press charges. Either way the children are no longer allowed over there anymore. He has also decided to get an apartment and plans on doing that this weekend. He never leaves the kids alone with them but happened to get called into work for a few hours and thought it would be fine since they were going to bed soon. At this point I think it would be best to press charges. I understand people loose there tempers but to slap a 6 year old across the face is unacceptable no matter what. I don't even allow them to spank my children. What would you do? I'm so confused

[allmymarbles]

I would first speak to the children's father who may not be aware of the problem. There may be more at stake here than a slap, although this seems not to have happened before. What is disturbing is Grandma locking up your daughter so that you cannot see her.

Let us know the result of your discussion with the father.