Update: I have contacted 189 (Chil Protection Services). They took my report and agreed this was worrying. They have my contact info and I, at least, feel a little better that someone is aware. May he be okay.
Hi,
One of my neighbors (moved in about 4 months ago) has been concerning with her child. Frequent yelling, child being locked outside (6 years old) which the cop visited about. This happens when the dad isn't home.
She seems to be mentally unstable as the yelling is intense and completely random.
The yelling and verbal abuse (I don't know if physical) has gone better after a while after the cop visited and several neighbors (including me) have been quite ostensibly vigilant.
I have witnessed numerous arguments with the dad where he would leave the house looking scared. I obviously have no clue what happens behind closed doors but I never heard or seen the father abusive nor have I ever heard him yell.
Recently, I've been chatting with them and the kid (my garden has loads of caterpillars which he loves) so I know a bit about them. Things looked a lot better.
Yesterday was a big argument (heard her yelling quite intensely a bit but had windows closed and music), then saw the dad going out saying hi kind of apologetically.
Now tonight, came home around 11pm, sat outside for a bit and saw the mom come out, she says hi, then goes back inside and comes out again after a while with her boy asleep in her arms. I was a bit confused but thought maybe they were going somewhere and a car was waiting (couldn't see where she took him to), she comes back home alone, grabs her small purse and I see her rides her bike away with the kid still asleep on the back seat.
I have no clue what I have just witnessed and don't know what to do. Is it an escape from her husband? Is she having an episode and the boy is at risk??
For added complexity, I have a flight tomorrow and will be away for over a month.
Honestly just looking for advice here. I'm worried sick.
I thought about calling child welfare services or go to the koban but it's not like I've witnessed abuse so… 😔
by Empty-Ad6452