Would this qualify as "child" abandoment?

[Lingering Grin]

So we have two groups that come in pretty regularly. They're groups from a local special-needs facility.

Now, while they are from the same facility, they are two SEPARATE groups. The caretakers from one group are not trained to help with the needs of the people from the other group. They have different issues, that require different solutions.

Well, both groups were scheduled to come in on the same day, one at 12 o'clock and the other at 1 o'clock

Well this one guy is dropped off separately by (what I assume are) his parents at noon, but they're early. HIS group hasn't arrived yet, they won't arrive for another hour.

So they say "Oh, it must be the other group, ok." and then LEAVE WITHOUT HIM. Now he's not really a child (I'd say he's about 20yrs old or so). However, he does need someone looking out for him, and helping him if he needs anything, and as I said, the caretakers from the first group are not equipped for his needs. Obviously, neither are we.

He ended up being ok, and just hung out in the arcade playing a driving game until his group arrived.

I'm just wondering if that would count as abandonment. He's not a child, but he is dependent on his parents, and he is definitely their responsibility. Could they actually get in trouble for doing that?

[crazylegs]

Probably not, he was in a relativly 'safe' environment, he wasn't at immediate risk of harm. Although you're not trained, nor expected to look out for him you did, and if he'd wandered off/gone off with a random person I'm sure you would have done *something*.

This isn't excusing the actions of his parents, however as abandonment goes, its pretty small fry stuff.

[Lingering Grin]

Actually, we didn't look out for him... at least not directly.

He was in the arcade, which just happens to be right behind where I stand. It's actually part of my job to look back there occasionally to make sure nobody is destroying the game machines. So I was just able to see that he was playing a game.

If he had been anywhere else other than the arcade, there's no way we would've been able to watch him in the slightest... then again I doubt he'd cause any problems. He's really quiet, and very polite and nice to everyone.

It's more of the principal of the fact, you know? You don't just leave someone who depends on you in a public place by themselves.

[Custard Chick]

It's hard to say, it probably depends on the level of his disability.

My younger brother has Downs Syndrome, but is only a year behind in school (he just turned 16 and is finishing up his freshman year of high school), can stay at home alone for an hour or two at a time and my mom trusts him to run into the grocery store and get her items if needed.

When he gets older he'll be quite fine living in a group home and holding down a job of his own. It sounds like this boy is at about the same level as my brother. If he were more severely disabled, such as where he can't use the bathroom by himself, then I definitely would consider that a form of neglect. But if he was able to amuse himself at the arcade and not bother anyone or cause a disturbance, then I'd say its just lazy parents not wanting to watch their kid.

[crazylegs]

It's more of the principal of the fact, you know? You don't just leave someone who depends on you in a public place by themselves.

I completely agree with the sentiment, and that it was lucky he ended up in the arcade rather than somewhere else.

If they'd left him in the house alone for three weeks I'd say it was in the fraction of a heartbeat, but in the bowling alley for an hour? Probably not.

[depechemodefan]

Well, maybe the parents did think he would be ok for a little while. Though I suppose the off-putting thing is "oh, we can't wait, let jr. fend for himself or hope someone would watch him. But I agree with Custard Chick.

Slightly OT, at one library this adult daycare (or whatever would be the right term) would bring a group in. Sad thing is there might be 2 caregivers and 10-20 adults that need supervison. One day a patron comes up to me and a co-worker and started to get excited, about how "that woman" there got in her purse and started to drink her tea. Granted, the excited person shouldn't have any food or drink in the library. "That woman" happened to be one of the group of adults who need supervision. So we get one of the caretakers to get her, and the caretaker has her siting on the floor by her. Once in a while "that woman" would get up and we would have to get the caregiver.

I really don't if it's sad or funny. But the really funny part was the poor woman who had her purse searched was on her cell phone telling her friend what was going on...as "that woman" was drinking the tea..\

[MiloMorai]

I disagree with CrazyLegs on being okay to leave him IF he is required to have constant supervision. I have family and friends that care for MR/DD adults and they require not only constant supervision but ONE ON ONE when out of the home and some of them while in the home. Leaving him without talking to the workers there was not cool. For legality questions we'd all need more info.

[Lingering Grin]

I don't know how disabled he actually is, really he just seems like he's a little kid really. He understands things fine when they're presented to him in an easy fashion, but doesn't get broader concepts.

[LostMyMind]

Well, since the guy was 20 years old. No, I wouldn't count it as "child" abuse. Three of my sisters have worked in a disabled teen group home. And one of them still does. Some of them have to be watch like a hawk, others not so much.

In Florida however, it would fall under abuse of an disable or elderly person. Which again like it has been said, really depends on how disabled this guy is and if the person is an legal caretaker (as in legally responsible for the person well being).

[friendofjimmyk]

I have to agree that it would depend on his level of disability. While this wouldn't fall under "child" neglect or endangerment, it could fall under disabled persons neglect or endangerment depending on the level of disability.

[Seshat]

It really depends on the level of care he requires.

However, leaving him in the expectation that you would care for him is definitely abandonment. If that's what they did, then you'd be completely justified to call the relevant authorities on them.

[IHateStupidCustomers]

I don't think they would call it "child" abandonment, but I think they could actually get the parents for something. If the guy was considered incompetant (legal term, not trying to be mean) and had a legal guardian/custodian, then he needs to be supervised as a child would and it might be considered some type of abandonment or neglect or something. But I don't think it would have gone anywhere unless something happened, like him getting hurt or causing a disturbance.