Ask the Therapist
Abuse to Child
I have a friend who has a 19yr. old daughter who was diagnosed as being Bipolar when she was about 14. Her daughter had a baby 3 months ago. She is being very abusive to my friend; both verbally & physically. She took her baby daughter out at 11pm in 0 degree weather because she wanted to go out. She goes out all the time. My friend contacted Children & Youth and they told her that they could not help her. They said that her daughter is an adult now & that she has to come in on her own. Her daughter denies that she is Bipolar and refuses treatment. Her mood swings are getting worse everyday. She curses my friend out in public all the time. My friend is afraid for the baby. The baby was recently diagnosed with asthma & her daughter won't even pay attention on how to correctly administer the breathing treatments. She loves her daughter very much despite her being Bipolar. I want to help my friend. Are there any programs or groups that could help my friend? No one will help her. It's almost as if something really bad has to happen before anyone will help. I know she can't force her to get help but there's got to be something that can be done.
DCF is not doing their job. The situation that you describe is grounds for, at the very least, a "look-and-see" by an investigator. The mother is obviously unfit and that needs to be addressed. Have your friend call child welfare again and get an investigator out there. Instead of going through the main desk, look on the internet site for your state and get the Hotline number...when the operator answers, have your friend tell him/her that she wishes to file a Form 136.
