I created a throwaway for this, but it’s been something that’s been bugging me for a while. 

A few months ago I moved into a new apartment, and since day one there is a small child who lives a few floors below me who screams non stop. All day. All night. There hasn’t been a single day where this child does not scream. To me it’s not your typical toddler temper tantrum or something playful, it’s a horrendous screaming and crying that sometimes lasts for an hour. 

Many people in my apartment building have complained, myself included. Police have been called, city council has been called, even social services(all from other people not me). Nothing has come out of this. When the parents were approached they refused to admit anything was wrong and won’t take steps to improve the situation. The neighbour who lives directly above them is struggling the most with this and the other night he lost his shit and was yelling through the walls, slamming doors and banging on the floor. I’m also nervous he’ll act out and do something stupid to this family if things go unresolved. 

There’s a rumour that the child has developmental issues and that’s why it screams, but I can’t help feel something worse is happening. As it stands, people are working with the landlord to try and get this family evicted from the apartment since there have been so many complaints about the noise. Part of me feels horrible inside for kicking out a family that might be struggling, but I feel even more horrible for standing by listening to this child scream all day and night and not doing anything when it might be getting neglected or abused. 

My biggest dilemma is causing more problems for this family than they already BUT ONLY IF they’re not neglecting the child. I’m sure it’s hard enough handling a child that screams all day, getting evicted and having child services on your ass would be even worse. 

So would I be the asshole for calling child services? It’s been ripping me apart and Im mostly concerned about the welfare of the child as I’m sure spending all day screaming and crying would be miserable. 