So, legally, what could I have done? And, what should I do now?
I stopped at a gas station in another town. (our towns all run together, so this was only 10 minutes from my home)
Just as I finished up, a little girl came up to me. She's about 10 years old. She said "I have to go somewhere, and now I don't know how to go there" So, I had her explain that she has to meet with her case worker on 101 & (name of road) But, she couldn't go across 101. She didn't come right out and ask, but she wanted me to drive her there.
I asked her name, and she told me her last name. Then I asked if she had a sister (because she looks just like an older girl I know who lives nearby) She said "Yes, but I'm just a foster kid".
She didn't want to call her Foster mother because she was running away.
I didn't know what to do... But, I'm pretty sure I can't let her get in my van. Right? Isn't that very illegal?
I asked her to go to the daycare center that was across a busy street (in rush hour) and go inside and ask them for help. She said "OK", and then a car pulled up right behind my van. The woman just glared at the child. The little girl said "I'm not getting in". The woman said "It's either get in, or I call the cops".
I asked the girl who the lady was, she confirmed that it was her foster mom. She told the mom "I'm not getting in, I don't want to be in trouble". The Mom said "Well, you are, you caused a lot of people a lot of trouble today".
So, I felt HORRIBLE, but I left. When I pulled away, the little girl had run to the side of the parking lot, but the lady drove up to her. The mom never got out, but talked to her from the car. (which was probably less confrontational, and that part didn't make me uncomfortable)
On one hand, the little girl seemed to choose me out of all the people in the gas station. Maybe it was my mom clothes, or my mom van... But, she walked past about 12 other cars to me. So, that was a really good decision on her part. But, on the other hand, I didn't really do anything to help her.
Should I try to track her caseworker down tomorrow? Or just drop it. The mom was very angry, but not scary. I am sure the little girl did cause trouble. And, had to face her consequences... but, I just feel like I dropped the ball.
I stopped at a gas station in another town. (our towns all run together, so this was only 10 minutes from my home)
Just as I finished up, a little girl came up to me. She's about 10 years old. She said "I have to go somewhere, and now I don't know how to go there" So, I had her explain that she has to meet with her case worker on 101 & (name of road) But, she couldn't go across 101. She didn't come right out and ask, but she wanted me to drive her there.
I asked her name, and she told me her last name. Then I asked if she had a sister (because she looks just like an older girl I know who lives nearby) She said "Yes, but I'm just a foster kid".
She didn't want to call her Foster mother because she was running away.
I didn't know what to do... But, I'm pretty sure I can't let her get in my van. Right? Isn't that very illegal?
I asked her to go to the daycare center that was across a busy street (in rush hour) and go inside and ask them for help. She said "OK", and then a car pulled up right behind my van. The woman just glared at the child. The little girl said "I'm not getting in". The woman said "It's either get in, or I call the cops".
I asked the girl who the lady was, she confirmed that it was her foster mom. She told the mom "I'm not getting in, I don't want to be in trouble". The Mom said "Well, you are, you caused a lot of people a lot of trouble today".
So, I felt HORRIBLE, but I left. When I pulled away, the little girl had run to the side of the parking lot, but the lady drove up to her. The mom never got out, but talked to her from the car. (which was probably less confrontational, and that part didn't make me uncomfortable)
On one hand, the little girl seemed to choose me out of all the people in the gas station. Maybe it was my mom clothes, or my mom van... But, she walked past about 12 other cars to me. So, that was a really good decision on her part. But, on the other hand, I didn't really do anything to help her.
Should I try to track her caseworker down tomorrow? Or just drop it. The mom was very angry, but not scary. I am sure the little girl did cause trouble. And, had to face her consequences... but, I just feel like I dropped the ball.