DEAR AMY: I am in a quandary. A neighbor had a baby a year ago, announced with a banner on their porch. That baby has never been seen by any of the neighbors, not even their next-door neighbor. They never bring her outside, and no one has seen them in their yard. Other neighbors have had babies and they all play outside with one another. We have seen them take the baby out in the car maybe three or four times. Attempts by various neighbors to be friendly are rebuffed. I'm wondering whether to make a call to Children's Protective Services to request a welfare check on the child. 
 --Worried Neighbor 
 DEAR WORRIED: This child could have health (or other) problems causing the parents to keep the baby inside. You don't know what this family's lifestyle or work schedule is. 
 Over the years, many people have contacted me to say they grew up in terrible circumstances in a neighborhood where "not one person intervened." While I do not suggest being a busybody or necessarily judging choices parents make, our child welfare system is set up to be the advocate for children who cannot advocate for themselves. 
 If you are truly worried about this baby's health, safety and welfare, and if you have tried other ways and cannot determine whether the child is OK, then you should make the call. 
 DEAR AMY: Reading about "Perplexed's" struggles with connecting with her grandmother with <a href="/topics//Alzheimer's_Disease">Alzheimer's</a> reminded me of my father. As a child, I frequently played checkers with my dad. Much later, when he was deep into the forest of memory loss, I pulled out a checkers board and placed it between us. He made the first move, using several checkers at one time. I followed his lead and soon we were creating lyrical patterns on the board. It was a new game, new rules and a new way of connecting. 
 --Out of the Box

DEAR AMY: I am in a quandary. A neighbor had a baby a year ago, announced with a banner on their porch. That baby has never been seen by any of the neighbors, not even their next-door neighbor. They never bring her outside, and no one has seen them in their yard. Other neighbors have had babies and they all play outside with one another. We have seen them take the baby out in the car maybe three or four times. Attempts by various neighbors to be friendly are rebuffed. I'm wondering whether to make a call to Children's Protective Services to request a welfare check on the child. --Worried Neighbor DEAR WORRIED: This child could have health (or other) problems causing the parents to keep the baby inside. You don't know what this family's lifestyle or work schedule is. Over the years, many people have contacted me to say they grew up in terrible circumstances in a neighborhood where "not one person intervened." While I do not suggest being a busybody or necessarily judging choices parents make, our child welfare system is set up to be the advocate for children who cannot advocate for themselves. If you are truly worried about this baby's health, safety and welfare, and if you have tried other ways and cannot determine whether the child is OK, then you should make the call. DEAR AMY: Reading about "Perplexed's" struggles with connecting with her grandmother with Alzheimer's reminded me of my father. As a child, I frequently played checkers with my dad. Much later, when he was deep into the forest of memory loss, I pulled out a checkers board and placed it between us. He made the first move, using several checkers at one time. I followed his lead and soon we were creating lyrical patterns on the board. It was a new game, new rules and a new way of connecting. --Out of the Box

News

LSAMY16

Should neighbor call Child Welfare?

Newsday

Homepage Trending

Latest LI weather forecast

Trump accounts: What LI parents need to know

Summer Fun Book

Beach closings

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

After the British took control of Long Island, George Washington created a special unit for intelligence gathering, the Culper Spy Ring. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The Culper Spy Ring on LI

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus explores the new farmers market at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma.

Farmers market opens at Station Yards

Brianna's Law, named after an 11-year-old girl who died in a 2005 accident, requires all operators of motorized vessels to take a boating safety course. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

After her daughter's boating death, mom went from grief to 'unstoppable' safety advocate

The number of IOUs issued by LIRR conductors for fare evasion fell by more than half from 2024 to 2025. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo explains.

LIRR IOUs for fare evasion are down

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Signorama in Huntington Station.

LI Works: Ken lights up the room as he makes signs

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman takes the High Line to Chelsea Market and Pier 57.

Exploring NYC's High Line

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Newsday investigation: Sex buyers go free ... Saving oysters in Great South Bay ... America 250: Nathan Hale ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Newsday investigation: Sex buyers go free ... Saving oysters in Great South Bay ... America 250: Nathan Hale

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.