Children problems...

[Bogie]

1) Jen's nieces seem to really hate their parents. They are constantly pushing things. Last bit, they've discovered the internet, and the youth-targeted blogs, etc... Plus, they seem to have become terminally depressed fashion victims... Yup... They've now got Jen's daughter, who is younger than they are, and they're seeing what they can make her do... Among other things, they've got her surfing vampirefreaks.com. One can only cut off internet so much - and ground a kid so far... The nieces have no controlling influence, but Jen's daughter's pretty cool, and she's starting to figure out that what the nieces want isn't always necessarily in her best interest... We're probably going to move away from 'em, but for now, well... there's this problem...
 
Now for the fun part. One of the evil pair posted a picture of Jen's daughter, all made up and fashionvictimized.... And one of them thought it would be funny to post a phone number.
 
Yup.
 
Does anyone live in or near Bishop, CA? I don't know how old the fellow is, but he's usually calling from a cell phone registered to that area, and he's persistent as all getout. And major-league freaky if she answers the phone.
 
2) One of the nieces told Jen's daughter that using the instant messaging function on a Verizon cell phone was free. Since Jen's deaf, both our phones have keyboards...
 
The IM function is NOT free... Has anyone been successful in getting that company to reduce a $360 cell bill (the 360 is for the data only...)? The children have been spanked, and told that they'll be skinned if this happens again. The nieces seem to be satisified in their activity. Argh. Fun part is that the phone won't let us delete the program... It's like they want this to happen...
 
What _is_ the deal with texting and instant messaging? I mean, one of the nieces (19, and moderately well adjusted) texts me when she could call... And texts back... and I invariably have to text back "call me voice - I'm driving."
 

[Mannlicher]

call the cops today, and take away the internet, credit cards and cell phones.  Simple as that.  Someone has to be in control, and it might as well be the adults.

[The Rabbi]

call the cops today, and take away the internet, credit cards and cell phones.  Simple as that.  Someone has to be in control, and it might as well be the adults.

My daughter ran up $100 bill on her cell phone just text messaging.  My wife and I discussed it and decided that she needed to work it out.  We also agreed that if she didnt next month then obviously she wasnt responsible enough to have a cell phone.
But in this case, I think I agree with Mannlicher.  Sounds like things are out of control.

[Bogie]

Well, since Jen's deaf, text messaging is considered "normal." We've got an extended plan to cover that. Prob is that the kids just went nutzo...
 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Third time has to be the charm. Got booted during the storm here on the first 2 attempts to post...

Bogie, is the daughter a minor? If so, contact the local LEO's and apprise them of what's going on with the caller. As wonderful and cuddly as the idea of shovel therapy sounds, they have a mandate to investigate and prosecute solicitations of minors. It wouldn't be difficult to set up a sting on this troll, and they probably have the experience to do so.  I'd also suggest severely restricting unsupervised access of the daughter to her cousins. Consider changing the daughter's phone number as well, asap.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[Strings]

Bogie, lemmie second what others have said: call the police about the creep, and let them handle it. As for the neices...

 Cut ties with them completely. Posting the kid's number on the net is just short of trying to get her raped/abducted. Cut ties, change numbers, and make sure their parents know WHY you're doing this...

 Not much else you can legally do. Of course, there are illegal ideas you could try, but this forum isn't the place to mention  specifics...

[Bogie]

Hokay... Took the computer home with me... So far between a few programs, I've nuked about 200 pieces of various adware/spyware, and I'm installing a blocker and keylogger.
 
And I'm gonna text the guy a picture of someone even uglier than I am with a shotgun.
 

[Monkeyleg]

You should still call the police.

Man, what a nightmare!

[Bogie]

They suggested I get him on tape. No problem.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

call the tv sho dateline  get her to tell him the folks are outa ton come over  film at 11  then we all know what he looks like

[garyk/nm]

Good Lord, Bogie! Isn't one of these nieces the one with multiple suicide attempts?
Cut ties ASAP, and get a restraining order if necessary. If the parents won't do anything to get them under control, take matters into your own hands. See about criminal charges for posting the photo with phone#. 

[pluvo]

...shovel therapy...

Bwahahah.

[HankB]

Bogie,

Isn't this just a continuation of the situation you outlined in your previous thread, "What to do with the nice little goth kiddies?"  (  http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=4543.0  )

You got a LOT of good advice in the previous thread, mostly about cutting ties with the older bad influences . . . it appears you didn't act on that advice.

Since the problems are still continuing, and you haven't cut ties with the bad young'uns, you're not really looking for a solution, you're just venting.

And now you've got more problems.

Duh.

In your shoes, I'd try to get a restraining order against the nieces to keep them away from Jen's daughter, and, like garyk/nm suggested, you should see about criminal charges for posting the photo of a minor with phone #.

You can do something substantive . . . or not. But if you just sit around idly wringing your hands, don't be surprised if the situation gets worse.

[Bogie]

If I do that, the rest of the family is gonna have a bleep fit... With three of the four sisters, all their kids grew up together. They go to the grandparents' pool together all summer, etc., and they get real bent out of shape at even suggesting a different course of action...
 
Had a chat with one of the older ones last night, opining that SHE had put the eleven year old in danger, etc., etc., and she seems properly cowed... We'll see...

[roo_ster]

Sometimes the right action is not the popular one.  A man's first loyalty and primary responsibility on earth is to protect & provide for his immediate family: wife & children.

What is more valuable?
1. The good graces of the relatives
2. Removing a proven baleful influence

Your position is not a good one.  To quote Ronald Reagan,

They say we offer simple answers to complex problems. Well, perhaps there is a simple answer--not an easy answer--but simple.

Good luck.  I know which route I'd take.  I have multitudinous MFs tossed my way to show for it..but a much less chaotic household.  The white trash losers who happen to be related to me have my wishes for their eventual success, but they will have to do it without my family to drag down while they figure it out.

[HankB]

If I do that, the rest of the family is gonna have a bleep fit...

Let's see . . . bleep fit on the part of the bad - no make that dangerous - part of the family . . . or the welfare of a 12-year old that's already been endangered before.

It appears you and Jen have made your choice . . . and it wasn't in favor of the 12-year old.

Sad . . . I hope six months from now you're not on this board looking for sympathy because the youngster has been injured, drugged, or has attempted/succeeded at suicide like one of her nutty, druggie older cousins.

Sometimes the right action is not the popular one.

Truer words were never written.

[HForrest]

Bishop is a pretty small city near the foothills of the Sierras, in the Owens Valley. It's not really a place a young person would typically live (Well, I wouldn't mind living there...). I wish I lived closer, I could offer to track the guy down and have a pleasant conversation with him.