Today I heard a heavy knock at my door. Expecting my Uncle Glen to be at the door, I was quite taken aback when I saw a 10 year old boy at the end of our enclosed porch. He asked if I had a cell phone. I said No. He asked if I had a home phone. I said Yes. He asked if he could use the phone (tears welling up) so he could call his dad. I said Yes he could. "Are you in trouble?" "NO' Are you lost? "No", Do you need to call the police? "No' he said again. He was so shaken, he had trouble dialing the phone. I dialed and handed it back to him. He sat down on the steps, door closed behind him, crying into the phone telling his dad that he cant be there at home with his mom anymore, he can't take it. She's yelling and abusing him. He looks up at the screen door, I step away and give him privacy. I go in the house and tell my mom whats going on. She steps out on to the porch giving him a Pepsi. He tells my mom he would like to call Children's Services to get away from his mom. My mom comes and tells me to get the number.

I walk outside, sit on the steps and believe that I am about to tell this young boy the best thing to do is call the police and have them contact Children's Services that way. He states that he is afraid that he'll go to jail, as he has been in jail before. His mom had him arrested. I talk to him and tell him this will be the best way and that not all cops are there to arrest you. "If what your saying is the truth about your mom abusing you, then you should have no worries honey."

I dial 911 and tell the operator my name and address and explain about the young man at my door crying. She ask for his name and address. I hand the phone over to him and he mumbles his address five thirty something. She must have asked him if she has beaten him before as I over hear him say "Yes, with a belt last week, Yes, it left bruises" After talking to her he hands the phone over to me. The 911 operator asked me if it is alright for the young man to stay at my house till the police arrive. I said that it would be fine.

I get the boy a chair to sit down with my mom and I while we wait. He started to tell us what happened and other stories about how his mom would yell and hit him because he couldn't fix the computer for her. (a 10 yr old come on now) I ask him his address again. And his name. And then it dawns on me that I babysat this child as a newborn. I know his mother and older brother. She lived below me about 10 years ago. And I know that she has some psychiatric issues and did some crazy things when she lived below us.

One time, she and her bf were fighting, he left and she got in her car and left following him. As I watched this, I noticed she didn't take the baby(not the 10 yr old but his brother) with her. I came down stairs and looked in her windows. there was the baby in the living room. I waited and watched him. Then another neighbor came out and started talking to me about the fight. I told him she left the baby and I was watching him thru the widow. About 10 minutes went by then the baby crawl in to the dining room, almost out of view. The neighbor and I decided we needed to get the baby before something happened. So we tried the door and it was unlocked, Thank God! He went in grabbed the baby. We both saw a white substance on the dining room table and think what could have happened if the baby got hold of that. (I should have called the police then but I didn't) Anyways she returned a half hour later and I told her he was crying so I went in and grabbed him. She snatched him up and went in. And that was that incident. So the moral of the mini story is I have a good idea about her stability.

So back to the little boy. He kept stating how he was frightened of the police and tears would steam down. They were going to arrest him, he was assure of it. My mom and I both told him the police do try to scare young kids straight. They don't want boys to fall in to gangs or drugs. And when they come, we will talk to them to get children services.

So 20 or so minutes pass by and the boy spots the police coming down the street. He sees the officer and crying "oh no its him, he's going to arrest me". Next the police car circles around and parks. The officer on the passenger side steps out yelling "Oh what LIES are you telling now...(name of child)" Then he tells the boy "Get your ASS in the CAR we're taking you home". My mom asks the officer not to talk to him like that, he is just a young boy. "Those are fake tears, he's nothing but a liar". I said "what about his bike" (boy is hysterically crying now) Officer says "Oh that's his bike, well get your ASS on that BIKE and we'll meet you at HOME" YOU better be there when we get THERE" My mom ask the other officer if he can call children services for the boy and he says "No, he is nothing but a trouble maker, him and his brother." And then they go on to tell us they know the family well.

First I am appalled how the police talked to this young boy. I understand they said they know him but still do they have the right to talk to him like that?

Second, he was asking for help, They say they know him, ok I know the family too, does this cancel out his request for help to be taken from a bad situation?

Lastly, I did look up Children's Services online and found the number. I called on behalf of this child and explained everything that happened today. I hope that they will look beyond what the police says and help this boy and his family.

Your thoughts?