DEAR ABBY: "Very Sad Aunt" wrote about her brother's two children and their stepfather's abuse of them. Your advice was good, but did not go far enough.
I am a police officer in Maine, and I am familiar with how much time it takes for social services to investigate reported child abuse. Sometimes social service agencies will not even open a case until four separate referrals have been made.
The aunt needs to talk to her brother about seeking an "order of protection" from the local district court. He can then gain temporary custody while the allegations are thoroughly investigated. Imagine how this aunt and her brother would feel if they sent these children back to that household and one ends up seriously hurt -- or worse.
Abby, please urge them to get a protection order and remove those kids from that environment immediately. It could save their lives. Sign me ... COP FOR THE KIDS
DEAR COP: You have done that for me, and for that I thank you.