a CEP WWYD

[ijack]

This happened last weekend and it immediately made me think of this board based on other discussions we've had.
I was standing at the redbox outside our neighborhood grocery store when I was approached by a boy somewhere between the ages of 10 and 15 (I seriously have no idea how old he was. He was about as tall as me and had a fairly deep voice so my guess is in his teens, but I don't really know). He asked me if I had any spare change so he and his brother could get something to eat because they'd been locked out of their house while their mom was at work. I gave him $1 (all I had) and when he left it occurred to me that it was kind of similar to the kid who got taken away from their parents because someone called CPS while he was locked outside. And then I was wondering if it was silly of me to not even wonder for the kid's welfare - maybe because I was thinking that he was making up the story just to get money (it's not abnormal to get approached in this parking lot by someone looking for money) and he looked old enough to take care of himself.
Would you have thought about calling CPS or the police in this situation?

[hopecounts]

Nah, if he was between 10-15 and smart enough to ask for money to get some food I'd let it go.
Not ideal but if Mom was working I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt that she is doing her best, assuming the boys looked otherwise OK (not abused/scared/etc) and it might be that older boy forgot/lost his key but was afraid to call her about it.

[sfy]

No.

Eta - I feel the need to elaborate since this is the second thread today about calling the police on someone who is asking for money.  I get that there is more to the situation than that, but ultimately, that's the situation.  Everyone doesn't have pleasant interaction with the police, so for me to call the police on someone, I have to be certain that something wrong is happening.  A kid who is 5'8" (I can't remember exactly, but aren't you tall?) and through puberty asking for money to get food doesn't necessarily say child neglect to me.  If people want to do something--calling the police or having someone else call the police --doesn't really seem like the most helpful thing.  Why not ask some questions to really ascertain what is going on, before potentially getting a kid involved with the police or worse yet, getting a mother who is quite possibly doing her best to care for her child, involved with the police.  Please stop and consider that everyone doesn't interact with the police the same way and people who are poor, in particular, may not have the same experience you have.

[saz]

No, it would take a lot for me to consider calling CPS or the police.

[downtoearth]

I would not have called CPS if he looked taken care of (i.e. not disgustingly dirty and bruised/hurt, etc.). If you see him do this often in your neighborhood, I might ask him more questions next time.