Marie and her family had just moved into a new neighborhood when one evening, Child Protective Services showed up at their door. The reason? Her kids were playing in their own backyard.
Turns out, a grumpy neighbor couldn’t stand the sound of children laughing and reported them, falsely claiming the kids were left unattended. But when the social worker arrived, the kids immediately exposed the neighbor’s lie.
The CPS case was closed on the spot. The neighbor? Embarrassed but unapologetic.
Marie now wonders how to protect her family from nosy neighbors without escalating conflict — and hopes others learn that children playing isn’t a crime.
