Abusive Neighbors

[Razor Sharp]

Quick synopsis to get you up to speed:

I just got out of a relationship and moved into a new flat. It's been really great so far, and I'm enjoying living on my own again. Loving everything about my new pad - spectacular views, plenty of room and cheap rent. As always, there is a catch. My upstairs neighbors are child abusers. Every day (and I'm not exaggerating) I have to listen to both mom and pop beat, ridicule and scream at their daughter who is about 4 years old, adorable little kid btw.

Now I learned the hard way never to get involved with other people's drama. I once tried to save a girl from getting beaten down, only to be attacked by her after I got her boyfriend in a headlock - never again!

With kids though it's hard for me to stay quiet. My pop used to beat the living snot out of me for years before he killed himself with alcohol, so I guess you could say this is a sore spot of mine. I'm a firm believer in discipline, and don't buy into the whole "dont spank your kids, ever" philosophy. Someone has to lay down the law, but there are lines you just do not cross.

Yesterday her mom locked her in the bathroom for 1 hour - naturally the kid would not stop screaming, and the mom just kept calling her a stupid wh*re. WTF?? Later on, at about 2AM, I was awakened from profound sleep to the sound of more screaming as the father apparently beat the both of them up, smashing furniture and raising hell. I called the cops on them, but they never came, saying that they already knew about that couple and there was little they could do. Lazy pigs can't even enforce simple things like peace and quiet in the middle of the night. I filed a complaint against them for not doing their damn jobs.

Anyways I am writing this not to complain, but in the hopes that you guys can talk some sense into me, cause I am THIS close to beating this guy's ass myself. I want to inflict serious pain and make him feel as small and powerless as he makes that kid feel. Yes, I know it's not the right, or legal thing to do. But what are my alternatives? I can move and give up this great place (losing my security deposit as well), or pretend I don't hear these horrible things every day that boil my blood.

How would you handle the situation? Should I say anything? Maybe write an anonymous letter?? I've thought about calling child services, but having been through that system myself, I'm not sure it's much better than the current situation.

Please respond because he's smacking her around as we speak and I'm f*cking losing it here. Gonna go hit the gym, and let off some steam...

 

[5string]

DON'T pound the guy! Try calling child services, or health and welfare. Look in the phone book for the right agency. They have a duty to respond. Please don't get yourself in trouble brother. I would also want to get after this guy if I were in your shoes. It's too bad. Little kids are the innocents in this world. They need to be able to depend on their adult caregivers. Not some abusive trailer trash parents. That was a tough read. I'd like to know how this turns out.

 

[5string]

I keep thinking about this. Really pissin me off. If it's as loud as you say, why not get a cheap little digital recorder? Maybe even a snapshot if the opportunity arises. Turn the evidence over to the right folks. That might do it.

 

[DanelMadr]

Yeah I know nothing gets my blood boiling, nothing...except deliberate physical or psychological torture on the innocent. And I mean going-there-ripping-heads-off boiling.

However calm down. And call the child services. You can call the non-state ones who just do the oversight....basically they report it, take the case and make sure the child is taken care of properly. File complaints on police, eventually someone will notice. Try the police inspection or contact their political superiors.

But I think the child services will do.

Be careful....the parents might get angry at you.

If shyt hits a fan and you want to call police next time, tell them you think a murder is in progress over there. They will be more likely to come.

 

[Rogue]

How would you handle the situation? Should I say anything? Maybe write an anonymous letter?? I've thought about calling child services, but having been through that system myself, I'm not sure it's much better than the current situation.

Call your state's child abuse hotline. It's anonymous. What if the child were to die, what would you think then. Do it.

 

[lorekeeper]

Call the Child abuse hotline. while they are investigating, document all instances you overhear.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

I've thought about calling child services, but having been through that system myself, I'm not sure it's much better than the current situation.

If calling child services is absolutely out of the question, then there's not much to do, except to move.

Remember that your desire to beat this guy within an inch of his life is largely due to a natural human instinct to protect children, as well as your own experiences. Instincts don't care about consequences, so be careful. Anything you do except make an anonymous call will come back to bite you, as you very well know.

If there is a real danger of the kid being killed, then you've got to alert the authorities, somehow. Life as a ward of the state, no matter how dismal, is certainly better than death.

The only think I can think of is to treat it purely as a noise issue, and convince the guy that you are some crazy nutter that will explode into violence if your sleep is disturbed, so he'll worry about making noise, and as aside effect won't kill his kid, but that's kind of a stretch.

Just take a deep breath, count to ten, and imagine what will a week or two weeks from now if you act on your impulse.

Unfortunately your best option is to make a couple of anonymous calls, and start looking for another place to live, but you probably already knew that.

 

[horaholic]

I called the cops on them, but they never came, saying that they already knew about that couple and there was little they could do.

Thats crazy. Do you live in America? Usually they're too busy fvcking with people who AREN'T even abusive.

 

[Razor Sharp]

Weird, I tried posting in this thread but it ad momentarily vanished, musta been a forum error.

Anyways, I took 5string's advice and have been recording these evil bastards. I've got some pretty f'd up material that I don't even have the heart to listen to again.. once was enough. I've called child services and let them know the deal, and that I have evidence. Apparently they also knew about this couple and had various complaints on record. I sent them MP3's via email (from a temporary, anonymous address) and they thanked me for reporting.

I felt a little better when I hung up the phone, but something was just not right. Why were the cops and child services ignoring this problem? Who was this guy??

So I did a little digging on him and surprise, surprise - it turns out he's the son of a Saudi Arabian diplomat, and has a certain level of immunity. Now more than ever I want to cave this f*cker's face in - but you guys are right. That;s just a stupid thing to do (however natural it may feel). It would probably just land me in jail and he'd get off scott-free as usual.

I've decided to try and let the system do its work - if that fails I plan on moving. I can't stomach this sh*t at all, and its definitely a buzz kill for bringing anyone over to my house. It's a great pad, but what use is it if you are too uncomfortable to have people over?

I guess we will just see what happens. If there is any progress I will post it here. Thanks for your replies guys - really was a great help to have some voices of reason in my corner (my friends want to jump this guy)

 

[Quiksilver]

Call the cops ...

If it does come to fists eventually, then having called the cops already you'll be pretty secure in coming out of a legal battle on top.

 

[horaholic]

it turns out he's the son of a Saudi Arabian diplomat, and has a certain level of immunity.

Damn. That sux big time. It sounds like the only other thing to try would be to turn your evidence over to a news company, and have this coksuckers dirt broadcasted. Maybe his daddy will come beat his ass himself. Try getting ahold of HIM. Hell. Email that shyt to the damn FBI.

That would be tough to do while you are still his neighbor though. Of course, if you aren't scared of him...

Good luck with whatever happens though.

 

[iqqi]

Damn. That sux big time. It sounds like the only other thing to try would be to turn your evidence over to a news company, and have this coksuckers dirt broadcasted. Maybe his daddy will come beat his ass himself. Try getting ahold of HIM. Hell. Email that shyt to the damn FBI.

That would be tough to do while you are still his neighbor though. Of course, if you aren't scared of him...

Good luck with whatever happens though.

^^^ What he said.

You can't just let this sh!t happen, man. The little child is defenseless, the parents are monsters. You are a capable adult with far more powers of mind and ability. Knowing about it and walking away is a terrible thing, just like the abuse itself.

It's one thing to step in for an adult woman in an abusive relationship. Another to let a defenseless child meet an unfortunate demise that could have been prevented.

Contact the NEWS, contact the grandfather, contact whoever you can. Anonymously. I'd want to jump the guy, too.

 

[Razor Sharp]

WOW. just.... wow

Saturday night I couldn't take it anymore. I don't even want to tell you what I was hearing because it's really disgusting and f'd up. I tried pounding on the ceiling with a broom, and when that failed I knocked on his door. He yelled "go away!" and I just kept banging on the door relentlessly.

He finally opened the door trying to occupy the space but I'm taller and could see over his shoulder. The girl's face was bruised and her arm was bleeding. I wanted to keep my composure but that vision got me emotional.

"WTF is wrong with you?! She's just a kid!"

He told me it was none of my concern in a very polite manner, and I realized I was dealing with a true psychopath. It wasnt easy but I kept my emotions in check, took a deep breath and said

"Okay ... look, this is your house and you have the right to raise your family however you see fit, I respect that. But the level of noise right now is making it everyone's business. I also find it hard to believe that this child is so bad that you have to beat her senseless every night"

The little girl started to cry and the guy raised his hand, she shut right up. I bit my tongue and kept my composure, delivering in the same polite tone:

"You sir, are a coward. No child deserves this. Someone should really teach you a lesson"

He cracked the door a little and said. "You dont know who you are dealing with my friend"

At this point another neighbor has their door cracked and is watching it all go down. He cant see her but I can.

"First - I'm not your friend. Second I know exactly who you are and I am not afraid of some diplomat's faggot son who beats his family."

That was it. He stepped out in the hall, put his finger up and said "You better stay out of my business mother****er"

"Please dont put your hands in my face. I'm not a 4-year old girl and I can defend myself"

"Oh really?" He poked me in the chest. Hard.

I didn't give him a chance to poke me again. I grabbed his finger and twisted his arm behind his back. Ohh how I wanted to break that finger but instead I kept him immobilized, and in a great deal of pain.

"You listen good you piece of sh*t. I have connections with several TV networks. You so much as lay a hand on that child again and I will have 12 different news channels covering the story of a Saudi diplomat's son who abuses his child and wife. Your father will not be very happy I can assure you. Do you understand?"

He nodded and I put more pressure on the arm "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

He was almost crying: "Yes! Yes! Please don't tell anyone!"

"I'm serious - just ONE more incident and the entire country will know your f*cking name." I left him on the ground looking scared and confused.

I think I'm the only person that has ever stood up to this guy his whole life, all that bravado and arrogance was gone and later on I heard him sobbing from my apartment. Yesterday we passed each other in the hall and he scurried away like a frightened animal, not even making eye contact. It was the first day that I didn't hear a peep out of them.

Today I ran into the neighbor chick and she let me know that she'd have my back if the lunatic ever pressed charges. She thanked me for putting him in his place, saying that she'd tried everything (cops, child services) but no one seemed to care.

Overall I feel good about how I handled the situation. Despite my strong desire to beat the guy within an inch of his life, I didn't hit him once, yet I got my point across. I just hope to God that child services gets off their fat asses and does something. All this guy needs to do is pick up and move somewhere else and the abuse will continue.

I'm gonna keep riding them till something gets done. As we speak I'm printing up a petition for all the neighbors to sign, and I'm gonna meet my lawyer to get his opinion. Trying to cover all the bases here. I'm also gonna start putting things in motion with newspapers and TV so that this fool gets exposed at the drop of a hat if he falls out of line.

Thank you guys for such a brilliant idea. It did not occur to me to get the media involved but it made for some good leverage. I will definitely keep you updated as things progress.

 

[5string]

Holy Sh!t. Way ta go Razor. You are the man! You are handling this very well. That little girl will benefit from your caring and concern. You should feel good knowing that. Keep posting.

 

[horaholic]

Right the fvck on! You are a true man!

 

[Atom Smasher]

I wish I had the self-control to act with such restraint. I'm afraid that I would have beaten him senseless (since a child is involved) and lived to regret it.

It never ceases to amaze me how our laws here in the states are all about protecting the rights of criminals and severely over-punishing those who need to deal with a crisis by physical means.

What that guy needs is precisely the same treatment he gave her. If I were king, I would sentence him to a severe, horrific beating every single day for 4 years.

 

[cordoncordon]

Great job bro......keep us informed.

What state are you in?

 

[Bible_Belt]

Careful about recording other people without their consent. That itself is a felony in Illinois, regardless of what they are doing at the time. The law varies by state.

And I don't want to get you in trouble for a hate crime, but I would offend his religion as much as possible. Get a pet pot-bellied pig. He'd love that. Teach the pig to sh!t on his doorstep. I'd also get in the habit of buying pork chops and bacon, and then tossing them into his yard to rot. Bacon grease would probably go through a pump sprayer if it was warm enough. Spray down his front door with that.

 

[CuriousGirl]

That is truly disgusting that he can get away with that, it makes you worry what else other people his level and higher have gotten away with.

I think you handled the situation as well as you could have, keeping your cool like that. I think if they move out that would be worrying as it could be back to square one for the little girl.

Edit: Oh I just thought, be wary he might start doing some digging around you..

 

[iqqi]

Just in case you have started a small (and well deserved) war with this "diplomat's son", I think you should increase your army.

DEFINITELY involve the press. Get all of those signatures, get the story down about how noone will do anything to help this child, and WHY, get some more witnesses like the girl neighbor, record EVERYTHING on paper that happens including last night. Contact the local press, and contact some major press. Contact Nancy Grace, she loves a story like this.

Consider contacting child services again, now that you actually SAW bruises.

And I am SO GLAD that you did what you did last night. If nothing else, the little girl heard another person defend her, so she knows it is possible to hope someone will end the abuse.

MOST importantly: Be careful. Extra careful, now.