Am I the ahole for calling 911 on my 2 year old neighbor?
SO START OFF I called 911 because the 2 year was running around an apartment complex parking lot only in a diaper and socks alone. I called 911 out of “Uh I don’t know what else to do?” But regardless I feel guilty and kind of an asshole for it. To start out I live in an apartment complex where the parking lot is a giant circle around apartment buildings that are in a circle. People constantly try to fly through here sometimes, and it’s 24th of December. I know kids are home on break right now.
I work nightshift and this was 2pm in the afternoon. I got up and took my dog out to go outside. Before I did, I heard kid noises I couldn’t tell what it was. But again knew kids were home and not first time I’ve seen them out playing. I think nothing of it and take my dog out, seen no kids, she goes and does her business. And turn around and go back inside. As I do, I hear the same noises and turn around and see a little 2 year old.
He had no clothes on besides socks and diaper. Again its middle of December. I immediately was confused and looked around. No sign of parents, it’s not the first time I’ve seen kids like this. But usually there had been a parent nearby, and even if I didn’t agree. It wasn’t my job to tell someone how to parent especially not having ever had kids myself. Again though no parents this time, and in the middle of the road. Something told me to take a picture so I did. I rushed my dog in, and unleashed her. (Context I live with my step dad, mom, and sister due to money right now. Student debt yay /sarcasm)
I look at my step dad, and tell him how there was a baby in the parking lot alone. He was just as confused as me, and we both rush back outside. We see the kid, and some gentleman walk up following. We asked if he knew the kid, he shook his head and told us no. He said he saw him running around and got concerned, following to make sure the kid was okay. The kid kept running around and the gentleman followed.
I looked at my step dad and said “I’m calling 911” and did. I gave my location and I ran back up to catch the kid. As did the gentleman and older man joined in too. He didn’t know the child either so we all were confused. The older man wrapped his jacket around the kid and picked him up. We stayed on the phone with 911, waiting for the cops to arrive. The older man said he was about to call before he realized I already did and was on the phone with them.
Cops show up naturally a mess. We give the kid to the officers and I stay back. People all came out, found what unit the little kid is in. Turns out same building as me, but above and to the back. I stay around, and walk back up to the cops. They were talking to the older man. I backed up and let them. I told the officer I did have a picture of the child alone in the parking lot. He had it emailed to himself, took my information. And I went back inside, till I went back out to grab something from my car.
I felt bad as I saw the mom show up, and she said she had just left and was around the corner. Two other residents told me they rather be safe than sorry too. And don’t blame me for calling 911. But also I still felt bad, and guilty. Potentially wasting police resources, causing a scene, and creating distress and disturbance. Especially because if the mom was truly around the corner maybe she was just about to get back. I don’t know.
But I still feel kind of dickish and don’t want to be a karen about kids when I don’t have any myself. I did learn the other 2 kids the mom also had, had been watching him. He had gotten out and the 2 kids didn’t realize it. The oldest seeming to be a preteen at max. I hope I didn’t get them in giant trouble either. So reddit am I the ahole?
(Edited for paragraphing)
Edit since I saw this in the comments it was around 49 F or 9.4 C. Warmest it’s been where I am in like 3-4 weeks. But still windchill made it feel colder. This situation happened in the span of like 20-30 minutes or so. And lastly thank you all for your kind messages! I felt guilty for causing a disturbance in general. (People pleasing skills go brr T^T) Thank you all for your kinds words!
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