Would you ever/have you ever called CPS on a family member?

I have a friend I have been so close to for so long, I consider her a sister, besides, we look alike. She had a son 2&1/2 years ago, and he is the joy in my life. He calls me Auntie Cori. The first time he said it, I cried. She doesn't make the best decisions in her life, but when it comes to him, she does what's best, and loves him with all her heart. I have never doubted this. Now, another friend of ours decided a year or two ago that she needed to call the authorities and report her for drinking and smoking pot while J was around. (that's what I'll refer to the kid as). She didn't ask me if I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought we should sit down with her and discuss our concerns before we took any further steps. But this friend has always been a drama queen, and wouldn't wait. I was called in by the Sherriffs Dept as a witniss. Now, I told my "sister", that while I wouldn't lie for her, since it's a federal offense, I wouldn't offer info that they hadn't asked direct questions about. Because I don't agree with some of the choices she has made, but all in all, she would do anything for that child. Well, it caused this huge blow-up, and she and I didn't talk for awhile. She then later called me and said she respected what I did. We have since rebuilt our relationship, and I get to see my "nephew" quite often. The time when he wasn't in my life was horrible. I missed him soooo much. I was there from the moment she found out she was pregnant. So, I am a large part of his life. And she told me that he asked for me many times during our silence. I personally wouldn't call the authorities until it was the last resort, since most issues can be resolved by sitting the person down, and making her aware of what she is doing is bad for the child. I think I made the right decision in what I told the Sherriffs office, and she still has him in her custody. I hope you never have to make the decision, but please, try talking to her first. Getting the authorities involved just makes it more difficult to rebuild.

I have never- but I have never had the need-- My family is great with children. I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful close knit family- cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, etc. But I can say if I did see a child being abused I would step in- Take the child out of the situation-- get the adult help.. No child should be abused- mentally, physically, or sexually. If the adult didn't get help I wold definatly call CPS-- Protect our children.

I have never called on a family member but I did call on a neighbor once. They knew immediately who it was out of the fact of why the CPS said they are investigating. They knew they had told me and my husband the exact words CPS used. I'm not at all unhappy that I called but I am unhappy that as usual CPS didn't do their job. Nothing happened and there was even later another child, an infant who was sexually abused by this same man. I have very little faith in CPS and think they have no clue how to do their job. As for turning in a family member... make sure there is true need and be prepared to watch a family split up. If that would be a good thing... and the child or children truly are in a life threatening situation then fine but if it's just because you don't agree with the way someone yells at their kid or whatever, think twice. And my guess is that they WILL figure out who called. Most of the time they do, even though CPS tells you it's annoymous.

IF it is close family, I would take the decision out of their hands and take the kids, if i felt they were in danger or I saw physical abuse, and my family knows it. I would call CPS only as a last option, I would try to get them help and try to use our close family ties to find out what the problem is.