I work as a live out nanny in a building on the Upper West Side of NYC. I have seen the nanny of another tenant with her charge in the building at at a nearby cafe and a park. The nanny behaves in such a way to the child in public that I would be really worried about how she treated the little guy when she was alone. One thing I did see was her grab the crying child's face tightly while crying and say, "you will stop that crying". If you could see how rough she was with him or the look on her face, you would understand my concern. I said to her, "I see you're having a rough day.." She cut me off and said, "what do you see, what do you see". I tried to say something like "i just noticed" and she kept mocking me and saying, "what do you see, what do you see. Yeah that's right..you saw nothing. That's what you saw." I was intimidated. That was two months ago. I didn't do anything. I have managed to find out who she works for and her employer is known as "obnoxious" and "narcissistic" and "a real bitch." Today I saw them coming in from the outdoors and she told him to move his hands, when he did not, she intentionally rammed his fingers in to the door frame, really hard. I did not say anything or make eye contact with her but I had a very good vantage point to see her malice and how intentional this was. So I have been thinking what is the best way to handle this? I can't give a note to the doorman because if the employer demanded to know who gave it to him, he would tell her. His job is to wait on their type, not mine. So I was thinking the best thing to do is to send her a letter by US Mail now that I know her first and last name. I don't want this traced back to me and I don't want her to ignore it. Any advice on the wording I should use to emphasize that I have a true concern for how her child (a boy of 19 months) is treated by his nanny.
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No mincing words here...call Child Protective Services ASAP! You need to call and tell them exactly what abuse you have seen. Yes that's abuse on a child. This nanny don't play that. You tell them you are not aware of the child's home life with the parents but you are very concerned with what you have seen from the nanny and are not sure If this abuse goes on in the home as well with the parents. That you have heard the employer isn't someone you can approach and that you are highly concerned and fear for the child's safety. Don't give your name if you are worried but please don't sit around waiting to send a letter when someone else needs to step in and help this child.
ReplyDeleteChildren's services instantly is going to disregard a case with a child with a nanny in a doorman building! Seriously! Seriously man. They are hungry children, starving, being beaten to death in this city. Let's not take resources from them
ReplyDeleteExcuse you but they WILL not. They must follow up on ALL reports. A child is clearly being abused here. This child deserves some help.
DeleteAs a nanny; its the law to report any abuse... Call CPS immediately. Childs life could be in jeopardy. If you see this in public; image what happens behind closed doors.
ReplyDeleteChildren's services isnt going to take this seriously! OH my. As a New Yorker, I know. But yes, you have an obligation to stand up for that child, so you must do it anyway. You must also send a letter if that makes you comfortable and even leave a note with the doorman. You cant control that other people wont take it seriously but you must do your part to get the ball rolling.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't call CPS you are breaking the law. Nannies are mandated reporters.
ReplyDelete