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View Full Version : Neighbor's daughter / Despondent on rooftop


KHDA08
Oct 17, 2008, 09:51 PM
Hi everyone,

Today while taking my kids to school I witnessed a neighbor's teenage daughter sitting on top of their 2nd story roof top looking very despondent. She had removed her window screen and crawled above the garage. Her friend was in the driveway trying to talk to her. I immediately called my husband who is a friend of the girl's father and told him she was on the roof. He called her father and was told he and his wife knows their daughter is on the roof (no reason given). They wanted to keep the issue "low key" which made me very angry since I have worked with troubled teenagers and know that this is a sign she needs help. Her parents remained in the house while she sat on the roof.

I decided to call the sheriff dept because I did not want anything bad to happen to her. They talked her down and spent some time in the house with her parents before leaving. I was very shaken throughout the day due more to feeling angry.

I know I did the right thing but don't know how to deal with my neighbors. I am not a noisy person and don't socialize heavily with my neighbors but remain cordial. Not sure how to deal with them in the future as I see the daughter almost everyday as she walks to school. I am feeling very stressed and uncomfortable. I would like to help her but maybe stepping on her parent's toes. Maybe there is nothing more I can do... I don't know..

Thanks for your advice.

mishelly3
Oct 17, 2008, 10:23 PM
If you know her mother well maybe talk to her. Most parnets though do really like people giving them advise about there children. Maybe call the school counsler of the school she goes to and talk to her and at least she can call her down and chat with her and at least you know she talking to a professional if something id bad happening the councler has to call the police. I hope this helps best of luck, if you see her alone some where just tell her your there for her and she can call anytime she needs to..

Best wishes to you,

Fr_Chuck
Oct 18, 2008, 09:01 AM
Let them know you are there if they need to talk, That is about all you can do.

KHDA08
Oct 18, 2008, 01:08 PM
Thanks both of you for the advice.