Sitter notifying NCP of medical issue questions

[gam]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I babysit my grandkids. One came home sick the other day from school and I notified his mom(my daughter), since she is the one I sit for. To make a long story short, child ended up in the ER, had to have surgery. My daughter notified dad herself on the way to the ER. Notified him numerous times after that prior to the surgery taking place, he only answered the call at 1am when we were taking the child to the ER. At 5:30am she called his mom, who said he was in the shower. He did finally call back at 6am, she explained that he was having surgery and he said fine, he was going to work and would stop by when he was done. He changed his mind on his way to work and did show up at 7am. By that time the child was in the surgery prep room.

Numerous things pissed off dad(better said pissed off his mom and his girlfriend), and now dad is yelling about filing contempt on my daughter, cause I only called her and she made the decision to go with the surgery on her own, cause he would not answer his phone. As a private sitter, do I have to legally call dad to? They are also threatening to call CPS on me.

They have joint legal custody with daughter being primary on physical. I know I am just a 3rd party, so just looking for the answer to the question on who I as sitter need to notify.

 

[Zigner]

You're fine - he's blowing smoke. You did your job by notifying your daughter.

 

[ecmst12]

If for some reason you couldn't get ahold of mom, calling dad would be the next step for you, but once you inform mom, everything else is up to her.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I babysit my grandkids. One came home sick the other day from school and I notified his mom(my daughter), since she is the one I sit for. To make a long story short, child ended up in the ER, had to have surgery. My daughter notified dad herself on the way to the ER. Notified him numerous times after that prior to the surgery taking place, he only answered the call at 1am when we were taking the child to the ER. At 5:30am she called his mom, who said he was in the shower. He did finally call back at 6am, she explained that he was having surgery and he said fine, he was going to work and would stop by when he was done. He changed his mind on his way to work and did show up at 7am. By that time the child was in the surgery prep room.

Numerous things pissed off dad(better said pissed off his mom and his girlfriend), and now dad is yelling about filing contempt on my daughter, cause I only called her and she made the decision to go with the surgery on her own, cause he would not answer his phone. As a private sitter, do I have to legally call dad to? They are also threatening to call CPS on me.

They have joint legal custody with daughter being primary on physical. I know I am just a 3rd party, so just looking for the answer to the question on who I as sitter need to notify.

First thing, calm down.

In order to found in contempt (and only a judge can find you that way), there has to be willful behavior. Mom tried calling dad; dad didn't answer the phone. If you go from the ER to surgery, that is an emergency situation. This is NOT elective surgery where you need to weigh out the pros and cons. You are dealing with an emergency. No judge will ding mom for that.

As for CPS, on what? That mom sought medical treatment during an emergency?

Dad's blowing smoke. If mom gets paperwork, direct mom to us for assistance.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Your responsibility ended when you informed the legal parent. You called mom and mom dealt with the situation. CPS will laugh at him.

 

[gam]

First thing, calm down.

In order to found in contempt (and only a judge can find you that way), there has to be willful behavior. Mom tried calling dad; dad didn't answer the phone. If you go from the ER to surgery, that is an emergency situation. This is NOT elective surgery where you need to weigh out the pros and cons. You are dealing with an emergency. No judge will ding mom for that.

As for CPS, on what? That mom sought medical treatment during an emergency?

Dad's blowing smoke. If mom gets paperwork, direct mom to us for assistance.

CPS would be on me, that I didn't seek medical treatment soon enough. He came home at 4 pm, while I was the one with him, I notified my daughter at 4:30 pm. So it was in her hands. He told me his stomach started hurting before lunch at school. So they said I sent him to school knowing he was sick. Her and I have numerous texts and phone calls back and forth from 4:30 pm until 11 pm. At 10:30 pm her and I came to the conclusion that it was not stomach flu(he said he was going to be sick when he came home). She spent from 10:30 pm until 11 pm on the phone at work trying to get someone to come in and cover for her. She called his Ped from work, but you get the service at night so she had to wait for them to call back. They said it was best to take him to the ER since his pain was getting worse not better.

I know they are full of it, however they have a really bad past, things have been good for 4 years. They have called CPS in the past, regardless if it is garbage CPS investigates all allegations. They have had many, many court hearings, regardless if they are baseless, if you file in her court, the case will be heard.

I was pretty positive I didn't have to call him, but wanted to make sure. She followed joint legal, she called him on the way to the ER, he said he was not coming up, call him with an update. Which she did numerous times and he didn't answer. So she called his mom, but he was in the shower getting ready for work, so he either didn't listen to her many messages or chose to get ready for work first. But by then the surgeon said it was now an emergency, he had to have surgery. She really didn't have a choice, but even with joint for an emergency I was pretty positive she didn't need his permission.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

There is a difference between say, the kid jumped and it looked like he broke his arm and I don't treat it for 24 hours versus the "the child looked like he had a 24 hour bug and I was letting sleep it off". And I guess CPS has to come visit me too because I've sent my child to school feeling sorta icky with the words, "If you get worse, have them call me." Mine would get surprisingly ill on test day. A few get-sent-to-school anyway cured test-itis.

Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. You both sought treatment when it became obvious that it wasn't a bug. You did right. Dad's just mad.