Babysitter called the police on parents after they 'never came home'

Babysitting turned into an unexpected marathon for one woman who took to Reddit to recount her ordeal. She was tasked with looking after a 13-week-old baby boy and his two-year-old sister while their parents attended a wedding, expected to last from 5pm to 11pm.

The evening started off without a hitch, with the children tucked into bed by 7.30pm. However, at 10.15pm, she received a text from the parents requesting she stay until midnight, to which she amiably responded, telling them to enjoy themselves.

But as midnight came and went with no sign of the parents, anxiety began to set in. "I sent a text asking if they're close and didn't get a response," explained the worried babysitter. "I can be pretty anxious, so my mind started thinking they got into an accident or something bad happened. I didn't hear from them after five minutes and then decided to call, but got no answer."

By 1am, there was still no word from the parents, prompting her to scour social media for any reports of car accidents. The silence continued past 2am, despite her numerous calls to the parents, leaving her contemplating involving the police, reports the Irish Star.

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"I wanted to call the police at that point but also didn't want the kids woken up and taken out of the house at 2am. I was hoping that the parents would walk in, and although I'd be angry, at least they're fine, but again, that didn't happen."

Finally, at 5am, with no other options left, she made the decision to call the police and report the parents missing. Further recounting her experience, the woman added: "The police showed up at 5.22am. and took a statement from me. I was asked for the parents' numbers, and the police asked if I could stay with the kids until they could figure out what exactly they're going to do."

As the neighbours then began to gather around, finally, at 5.48am the parents arrived home to be greeted by the police. The mum rushed out, fearing something had happened to the children. The couple then explained that their phones had died and they didn't know how to get home from the venue.

Unimpressed by the explanation, the babysitter wrote: "I was fuming! I called them irresponsible and the worst parents I've ever worked for. I demanded she pay me on the spot, and I left."

"I received a lengthy message about how this is my job and I'm a huge jerk for disrespecting them and calling the police. She felt like I could've left them with the neighbours or called the emergency contacts, not the police."

People sided with her in the comments, saying the parent's excuse was weak.

One commenter said: "Who in 2024 would let their phone die, especially as a parent of two very small children and when they know they need their phone to get directions to home."

"Both of their phones died and they spent six hours trying to find their way home? I seriously doubt that. They are wildly irresponsible and disrespectful. You shouldn't babysit for them again."