Breaking the law?

[Frizzled]

New dcb gets dropped off while we are outside. Dcd does not have his license and is usually brought to drop dcb off by dcgma. Well this time he is dropped off in a work van, dcb's carseat? Tied down in the back of the work van to the load bearing hooks . Dcd is flustered, dcgma got called into work and couldnt bring them so he had to do what he had to do. I say ok, just dont do it again and go on with day. Dcp are real young (under 20) and are a little flaky.

3 hours later dcd who does not have a license is spotted while we are out, driving the same work van. No license and driving around town... GAH, what should I do? Knowing I have no backbone... this is tough.

[DaisyMamma]

Good golly. I would have either been so shocked I didn't know what to say, or I would be so shocked I would have blurted out What are you doing? That is illegal and dangerous!

Make sure he doesnt do it again. Tell him you would have to report him.

[Hunni Bee]

Flustered or not, he can't endanger the child's life. I doubt those hooks would have restrained the car seat in the event of an accident.

Tell him that if you see him transporting dcb or if dcb is not correctly restrained in a car seat in a proper car with seat belts, you will have report. Its required of you.

[3girls]

I'd call that in. Driving without a license is illegal and if hes willing to do that no telling what else. He can get arrested for that (and I bet he us uninsured too!) in many areas and if DCC is with him the state will get involved.

[Blackcat31]

How do you know he does not have a license? Did he actually tell you that or is it something you heard?

Maybe he has a work permit that allows him to drive for work purposes only. Work permits are VERY common here.

As far as the safety latches on the work vehicle goes, it may not have been the smartest thing to do but if anyone knows anything about work vehicles and tie downs, you know that they are designed to hold a few hundred pounds of materials securely in a vehicle so it doesn't move around and harm anyone...so attaching the car seat to it may not have been regulation but was a lot better than just letting the kid ride in the front seat unrestrainded at all....just sayin'.

If I were in your shoes, I would let him know that as a mandated reporter, that you HAVE to report any unsafe or illegal restraint methods in connection with the child. At least let him know so that he does not do it again but as far as the driving without a license goes, for lack of better words, that really isn't your business unless you are 100% sure he has no license at all and does not have permission to be driving the work vehicle.

[familyschoolcare]

I agree with others you should let dad know that is unsafe and you are required to report such infomation and will have to next time (realy you should this time) You should document the day and time and desribe the "hooks device" as much as possible so you have that information if you need to call it in. About driving a work vehicle with out a license if your source of no licsence information is very realable and you feel duty bond to do something then call the work.