Sometimes the actions of loved ones can leave a person speechless.
Speechless is not always a positive reaction.
Some behaviors surprise people beyond words.
Once the initial shock wears off, people have to deal with the fallout.
Some actions can destroy relationships.
Redditor Rebecca0626 wanted to discuss their experience and get some feedback, so naturally, they came to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subreddit.
They asked:
“WIBTA if I called the police on my mom for robbing me?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“Today, my Mom came to watch my kids while I had my chemotherapy appointment at the hospital.”
“She quickly left after I got back.”
“I would have liked her to stay for a while because I’m not at my best, but at least my kids had supervision when I needed it.”
“The problem is that when I got home, my daughter was hungry.”
“I’m not sure if she wasn’t fed lunch or just hungry like usual.”
“She kept looking in the fridge over and over.”
“I went to help her get a snack because I had stocked the fridge yesterday with a lot of groceries, including easy-to-eat prepared foods.”
“Every single thing is gone.”
“Mom must have bagged up all of my groceries and taken them home.”
“I don’t even have milk or apple juice for my kids.”
“I’ve called her several times, and she isn’t picking up.”
“I called my brother, who doesn’t live with her, and he said he will speak to her and get back to me.”
“He’s pissed.”
“Should I call the police?”
“I’m really thinking about it because it’s several hundred dollars of groceries I needed for the week, and being so close to Christmas, it’s hard financially to replace.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“So… WIBTA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed in on some options to the question, AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared that OP would NOT be the A**hole.
“She stole your food while you were at chemotherapy?
“Food you’ll have a hard time replacing?”
“No, YWNTBA, but your mother sure is one.”
“She literally took the food out of her grandchildren’s mouths.” ~ Casual_Lore
“Theft of items with a value over $50.00.”
“Punishable crime in every jurisdiction in the country.”
“If you live in the US, call the police, report the theft, and tell them you believe it was your mother.”
“They WILL deal with her.”
“And of course, NEVER leave your mother alone in your house again.” ~ parodytx
“YWNTBA. And your mom most definitely is as bad as the Grinch.”
“If times were hard for her, she could have asked for help.”
“There was zero justification for taking every piece of food meant to nourish her child and grandchildren.”
“I really feel for you.”
“Wishing you the best during this difficult time.” ~ jbooklover
“NTA and WTF!”
“I imagine there’s some sort of history with this woman stealing.”
“That’s a really desperate thief.”
“Good luck to you 🌹.” ~ imaginenohell
“Call the cops and get the food back.”
“She won’t be arrested, but you need the food more than you need a mooching mom.”
“Look into if social services can provide funds or babysitting for the kids.”
“So sorry OP.”
“That is a lot to deal with.” ~ Once_Upon_Time
“Please update us.”
“I want to hear your mom´s excuse for stealing all the groceries from her own sick child and grandchildren.”
“You would be NTA for calling the police.” ~ SirChaos77
“Just call the police and lodge a theft report.”
“Your mom needs consequences.” ~ Mauinfinity-0805
“The people justifying your mother’s actions are really showing their colors here.”
“YWNBTA for reporting, and I think you should.”
“Your comments indicate your mother is not supporting you anyway, and that this babysitting incident was a weird occurrence for her to even be around.”
“You have enough struggles without having to replace groceries to feed your kids.”
“I doubt police will even do anything, but at least it can be documented.” ~ KuZagan
“YWNBTA. Your mother is.”
“YOU ARE IN CHEMO, AND SHE LITERALLY TOOK FOOD OUT OF HER GRANDCHILDREN’S MOUTHS!”
“I doubt the police would do anything, but I know I sure would be.” ~ lacimcgowan
“I sent my own dad to prison for stealing my car.”
“I don’t regret it.”
“Your mom not talking to you tells you everything you need to know.”
“She didn’t just steal from you.”
“She stole from BABIES.”
“Call the police.” ~ Ok_Damage_2620
“I just read your Thanksgiving post, too.”
“Do NOT spend Christmas with her.”
“DO file a police report.”
“And do NOT leave her alone with your kids again unless you have no other choice.”
“She is not a safe woman to be around for your family.” ~ ce5b
“Exactly!! Your mom is a danger to your kids.”
“You should do everything in your power to cut that person out of your life now.”
“God forbid she gets your children and their inheritance and puts your kids in a home and keeps the money.” ~ TheTaxGirl79
“NTA. I did not expect this to be about food.”
“Money, jewelry, but food?”
“Yeah, call the police.”
“Good luck and best wishes in your treatments.” ~ BreakingUp47
“Tell your mother if she doesn’t return everything or pay to replace it immediately, you’ll file a police report and go to the local news station.”
“They love those kinds of stories, especially around the holidays. NTA.” ~ Gigafive
“NTA at all.”
“She literally stole from you and took food out of your kids’ mouths.” ~ Disastrous-Nail-640
“NTA. Your own mum has stolen from you and her grandchildren, and it’s things you need, like food.”
“You’re going through so much already, and then this.”
“I’d try to get a hold of your mum or get your brother too as well.” ~ butterflya82
“Your mom is the only AH in this event.”
“She’s a complete nut job.”
“I’m in Canada also, unsure about where you are in Canada, but a lot of cities have groups that ‘adopt a family’ at Christmas specifically.”
“But can also help in serious situations like you’re going through.”
“Call the police and file a no-contact order against your mother.” ~ OldGermanGrandma
“I- I am f**king speechless.”
“This is abhorrent on multiple levels, and YWNBTA to present this frankly psychopathic behavior with serious consequences.”
“I am so sorry that circumstance means you needed to rely on her in the first place, as this is surely not the first time she has done you dirty.” ~ mighty_kaytor
“Yes, I would call the police.”
“The only thing I can think of that might be an obstacle is proving it is your food vs her food.”
“She could easily lie and say it was hers unless there is some way to prove without a doubt she took it.” ~ labtech89
“Depends on how close you are to your mom and if this is out of character for her or not.”
“Generally speaking, NTA, if you called the cops.”
“But if you’re close and this is completely out of left field, which it would be for me and my mom, I’d probably try to figure out why she did that, try and get back at least most of the groceries back, and go from there about why the hell my mom would even do that and possibly get her some kind of help.”
“If you have an already shaky relationship, and this kind of behavior is on par with the way she typically treats you, then oh yeah, call the cops.” ~ Icarusqt
“I’ve seen this kind of behavior before.”
“My guess is that she wants sole custody of your children.”
“She likely called Child Services (or whatever it’s called where you are) to instigate a report of neglect.”
“Taking all of the food is a way to ‘show’ the authorities that the children are not being fed and cared for.”
“Be very careful, report what you can, but keep in mind you WILL also need to press charges against her for false reporting, AND a restraining order against her.”
“Good luck.” ~ MercyfulJudas
“Your mom is the AH.”
“Who TF steals food from their daughter with cancer and her grandchildren?”
“YWNBTA.”
“She stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries.”
“How is your relationship with your brother?”
“Is there more he would be willing to do to help with this situation?”
“If you are close to him, I would probably discuss what your options are.”
“Even though he probably won’t like the idea of getting the police involved, he might be able to use that as a way to light a fire under your mom to return the groceries.” ~ ImaginaryStandard293
OP returned with an Update…
“Well, I found out why she took the groceries.”
“As my ex, John, who is the father of the kids, was leaving children’s aid came with the police because there was a report of neglect.”
“My mother called them and said that my children had no food, were living in filth, and my son was not receiving his medicine and medical care.”
“John was speaking with them in the laneway for about 30 mins.”
“They just came inside, did a quick inspection of the home, and checked the welfare of the kids.”
“I showed proof of the grocery purchase yesterday and today, and John said he provided dinner after Mom took the groceries.”
“They said she will have repercussions for filing a false report.”
“The officer said she wants custody.”
Reddit has your back, OP.
This is beyond disgusting!
Who steals this kid’s food?!
Get well and good luck.