suspected verbal abuse if not Physical

I am neighbor to ( but not next door to ) a family who moved into our rural neighborhood abt. a year ago. the way the two properties are situated , we can hear quite a bit of what goes on.  There is 1 child, a girl abt 14 who is home during the summer days with the father who only works 1 or 2 days a week, due to a supposed back injury. The mother works some also. I believe the father is at least verbally abusive to this child. She is rarely seen, and when she is, he is on her to  " get in the House " etc. If we drive by,  she will not look at us directly, but turns her head somewhat in our direction , tipped down so as not to appear to be looking directly at us. Her arm is at her side ( away from the house ) and she only responds to our waves by tipping the hand up at the wrist. We have also heard him go into a screaming rage at something, not within our view.  Also seen him yelling when she was mowing the lawn, could not hear what was said. The one time, i did talk to her, she stated ( out of his hearing ) " I don't like it when my dad get mad."  The family keeps a Pit bull that races out if the chance arises, snarling etc., when you walk by --- I refuse to go into their yard and rarely walk my dog in that direction anymore.
Since, they are generally not ( only partially ) within our view, I feel there is nothing I can do. I've heard of one too many cases where people who saw and heard more than i have, were ignored when they reported their suspicions to authorities.
      These are not local people but from out of state, so no family here etc..
      What does one do in a case like this ?  If you would take things at face value with the father, he is all smiles and waving when you pass their home but ther is something about him , a bad feeling I got , right from the first time i met him. He has not done or said anything to us to make us think any thing is amiss and has generally been a good neighbor.
      Appreciate comments.

[RockRose]

Does she go to school during the regular school year?   You can call the counselor in the fall and give them a heads-up.

Do you even know their names?  For a small fee you can look up their criminal history and background.

I agree with you,  this seems wrong.  And I hate it when a child is abused to death,  and the neighbors say well we knew something was wrong . . . it is just sad to not act.

[margypops]

All you have told us in your post sends a warning that there is a problem, definatly worth taking further,the fact she isnt allwed to talk to anyone should send up red Flags,where I live I believe you can do it anonimously, dont let this go !!too many people do as Family or friends say "dont get involved " the Fact you came here shows you care go that step further and demand they check it out.Ask the other people to get involved also. Dont let it go.

[junie37]

Thanks for replies.  I have spoken with the girl once, when she made the remark. I have considered asking if she can come over ( paid of course )  to help me in the house or yard, something I could really use at times.  It would at least get her out of the house for a time. Just yesterday, I found he told my husband , in conversation, that he had spent time in jail because of loosing it ( some sort of confrontation with someone else )  and could not remember what occured. That doesn't suprise me.

[jo929]

That is a great idea maybe you can get her to help you and pay of course, so that the father wont suspect anything, and maybe she will confide in you, just sort of say if you ever need a freind or need to talk i will listen, maybe she will loosen up    Great idea you came up with   luck  jo