I don't want to call the police...EDIT...Happy Ending EDIT

[Babujai]

For the second night in a row a little boy (11 y/o) from the neighborhood has shown up at my house to call his mom. Last night he showed up at 8:30p and tonight at 9:15p. Both times he's been out playing, and came home to a locked house. Last night he called his mom and then left 15 min later assuring me that someone would be home. Tonight he called, but said it went straight to voicemail, so he's hanging out with my kids now.

I told DH about last night earlier today. When I went down to tell him the boy was back tonight he said to call the police. I think that's a little extreme. I don't know this boy's parents or what the situation is. On the other hand, how is he locked out of the house after dark? I'm just not sure what to do here, if anything. Help me out ladies.

***Update in 3rd response below.

HAPPY ENDING: So glad I didn't call the police! That little boy showed up at my door again last night around 8p. It was raining so of course I let him in. He calls his mom and then asks if he can hang out with us for 20-30 min until she comes to pick him up. I say OK and let DH know. He says he'll talk to the mom when she gets here. 40 min later the little boy says he's leaving. Now his story is his mom said if she's not there by now his dad should be home. DH says let him go home, so I do. A minute later he's back at the door asking for a ride home because it's dark. He's so much taller than my son I figured he was the same age or older, but the fear on his face prompted me to ask his age. He's only 10. So I take him home, walk him to the door and ask to speak to his parents. Lo and behold, his mom is there! Seems this little boy likes to sneak out. She's got the number for most of the places he goes and he basically found with us somewhere that she doesn't know about. He supposed to be home by dark, but he's afraid to walk in the dark. So my house was literally a "lighted harbour" for him and then a safe escort home. His mom and I exchanged names and numbers and I think everything will be okay now. She knows one more place that he'll be and I know he's okay at home. Whew!

[Mrs.Parker12]

Do he live close to you? Maybe you or your hubby should walk him home, and talk to the parents. That way you can get a feel of what they are like. Goodluck!

[DeeVahDee]

Don't call the police as yet mama plz don't. It may be a situation that doesn't need that type of interferance an its to my understanding that cps in the US are very petty.

[Babujai]

I got him to call home again and he then asked me to take him home. He lives around the corner, so I drive him around there and then watched him knock on the door for several minutes, run around the side of the house and knock on some windows and then back to the front door for another few minutes before someone finally opened the door. I saw that someone peek out the front window first, so they knew I was sitting out in the car. I didn't get so much as a wave let alone a thank you. He went in and the door shut right behind him.

I'm not good at confrontation and I certainly don't want to criticize someone's parenting choices, but...if that boy shows up on my doorstep again...idk what I'll do.

Quoting Mrs.Parker12:

Do he live close to you? Maybe you or your hubby should walk him home, and talk to the parents. That way you can get a feel of what they are like. Goodluck!

[2timezthefun]

I think maybe you should have just walked him to the door and then spoke to the person that let him in. I dont like confrontation either but seriously they shouldn't let their son just roam like that. Then to not answer the phone what if something was wrong. I understand everyone has different parenting styles and point of views but come on the main priority should be your child's safety. 

[Mrs.Parker12]

Yes! This is what I meant.

Quoting 2timezthefun:

I think maybe you should have just walked him to the door and then spoke to the person that let him in. I dont like confrontation either but seriously they shouldn't let their son just roam like that. Then to not answer the phone what if something was wrong. I understand everyone has different parenting styles and point of views but come on the main priority should be your child's safety. 

[KymberleeAnn]

Was it a man or a woman that came to the door?

How does the little boy appear to you?

It sounds like a case of child abuse or neglect.

Or a rebellious little boy.

But whatever the case is he needs protection, guidance, and help.

You have to do what you think is best.

Calling the cops may or may not be a good idea.

Did you try to talk to the little boy to ascertain why he is out so late and how he is getting locked out of the house in the first palce, and where are his parents?

If he shows up at your door again try to gather as much information from him as possible.

Who are your parents?

Do they work?

Who's home now?

Why Are you outside this time of the evening?

Those are just a few of the questions that I would ask.

Then discern whether or not it sounds like the little child is in a harmful situation.

Then decide if the authorities needs to be involved.

Personally I would have got out of the car and asked the adult who opened the door if everything was okay.

And whether they were aware of they fact that the little boy comes knocking at my door after 8 o'clock at night?

Oh, I would have a list of question to ask. 

But that's just me.

I hope there is nothing fishy going on there in that house with that little boy.

[Honeybunches26]

sounds abusive and non attentive.. something fishy is going on.. and i think the high rate of abuse if due to of course the abusers and those that think something is wrong but never want to interfere with others lives... sometimes cps oversteps but sometimes it saves lives... i think he prob needs help, i would attempt to talk with the parents one day and prob call cps for a report to be written and yeah cps has to investigate so he wont be taken right away and not at all if nothing is wrong in most cases.. and in some cases they investigate and their parents know how to play the system but in any case i cant be suspicious and not do anything for a helpless child.. i was once that helpless child and no one did anything i just had to leave once i was of age.. im surprised i made it to adulthood

[Babujai]

I couldn't tell who came to the door. It was just a shadow at the window and then an open door. When he calls home though, he's calling his mother.

He doesn't look beat up or malnourished or anything. He's always out around the neighborhood though.

I didn't ask him much. He goes to school with my son so I didn't want to embarrass him. If it happens again, I'll take him aside and see if I can get a better idea of what's going on.

Quoting KymberleeAnn:

Was it a man or a woman that came to the door?

How does the little boy appear to you?

It sounds like a case of child abuse or neglect.

Or a rebellious little boy.

But whatever the case is he needs protection, guidance, and help.

You have to do what you think is best.

Calling the cops may or may not be a good idea.

Did you try to talk to the little boy to ascertain why he is out so late and how he is getting locked out of the house in the first palce, and where are his parents?

If he shows up at your door again try to gather as much information from him as possible.

Who are your parents?

Do they work?

Who's home now?

Why Are you outside this time of the evening?

Those are just a few of the questions that I would ask.

Then discern whether or not it sounds like the little child is in a harmful situation.

Then decide if the authorities needs to be involved.

Personally I would have got out of the car and asked the adult who opened the door if everything was okay.

And whether they were aware of they fact that the little boy comes knocking at my door after 8 o'clock at night?

Oh, I would have a list of question to ask. 

But that's just me.

I hope there is nothing fishy going on there in that house with that little boy.

[Babujai]

I feel you. I wish I had done more tonight.

Quoting Honeybunches26:

sounds abusive and non attentive.. something fishy is going on.. and i think the high rate of abuse if due to of course the abusers and those that think something is wrong but never want to interfere with others lives... sometimes cps oversteps but sometimes it saves lives... i think he prob needs help, i would attempt to talk with the parents one day and prob call cps for a report to be written and yeah cps has to investigate so he wont be taken right away and not at all if nothing is wrong in most cases.. and in some cases they investigate and their parents know how to play the system but in any case i cant be suspicious and not do anything for a helpless child.. i was once that helpless child and no one did anything i just had to leave once i was of age.. im surprised i made it to adulthood

[Honeybunches26]

sorry i didnt want to make you feel inept just i think we forget how important we are sometimes and how we make differences.. but I know it must be hard it makes me shake sometimes when i think of confrontations residue from child abuse? maybe but sometimes i just have to go in vocie shaky to make things happen.. we are human but it is good he feels comfortable coming to your house when he is in need! 

Quoting Babujai:

I feel you. I wish I had done more tonight.