Sometimes I Wonder Why I Bother?

Today at work, I spoke with a man ('ll call him Ron) who made a child abuse report concerning his son and his son's babysitter. There had been an accident and the child had been run over by a car and dragged several feet before the driver realized it. The two adults at the home the child was at each thought the other had the child who had slipped out of the backyard unnoticed.

Thankfully, the child only suffered a broken leg and some bruises. It really could have been a lot worse.

Ron wanted the mother to be held accountable. The mother was not present when this occurred. The Police were immediately contacted after this happened and ruled the incident as an accident. No drugs or alcohol were involved. The driver just did not see the child behind the car.

Ron wanted my agency to intervene and grant him custody of his son. I advised Ron that he would have to pursue a change of custody in Court. My agency investigates reports of child abuse and neglect, we do not assist parents in custody or visitation issues. Ron told me that he and the mother were never married. He said that they had never been to Court. I asked him if he was on his son's birth certificate. He said that he was not certain. I asked him if his son was on his health insurance. Ron said no, that his son was receiving "state" insurance. He meant Public Aid. Since Ron was working full-time which is why he left his son at the sitter's, I asked if he was paying child support to the State. He said that he was not. I advised him that he needed to.

I later called the Public Aid Office and asked to speak with someone in child support. I was bounced around to many different extensions. I finally spoke with a woman who did not want to take my information! She said that she could not pursue child support unless the child's mother pursued it. I told her that as a taxpayer, I wanted her to pursue it.

This poor child is going to be spending several days in the hospital. While I believe that this child should receive medical care, his working parent should be held financially responsible for at least a portion of his medical bills. Shame on his father for not taking responsibility. Shame on the Public Aid Office for not pursuing him.

And people wonder why resources are becoming fewer and fewer and the tax burdens are becoming a heavier and heavier load for the working class. It is a very sad state of affairs when those who can be change agents, choose not to be.