Police show up on mom's doorstep after neighbors complain that her kids, aged 5 and 2, were naked in her pool
A mother of two was left horrified when the police showed up on her doorstep after her neighbors allegedly complained to the police that her kids were playing naked in the pool. Beth McKenna, of Walkergate, said that she "couldn't believe it" after uniformed police offers showed up at her door, concerned about the welfare of her children, two-year-old Elizabeth and five-year-old Stephen.
In the incident that occurred on Thursday, July 11, the police are said to have received an anonymous tip and had decided to act on it. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said, "We can confirm we received an anonymous report through the NPSCC of concern for two children at an address in Walker. Officers spoke to the family and had no concerns for the welfare of the children. The matter has since been closed," according to the Chronicle Live.
When the police arrived, they found the matter absolutely ridiculous. "I think the police were embarrassed to be there when they realized why," she said. "I was absolutely stunned, but more than anything else, I was furious. There are people being murdered and stuff like that, this is what the police should be spending their time investigating — not this," she said.
However, the mum has demanded an apology and has slammed the neighbors for being "nosy". She said that it is unacceptable to "ruin" her reputation.
"(The officers) said they had to come around and were just doing their jobs, and basically laughed about how ridiculous it was. But I think I am a good mum and I was angry that somebody could make accusations about my kids," she said, "Nobody has the right to say that and I'd like something to happen to whoever put the call in."
McKenna said that her daughter wasn't even naked and that she had a nappy on. "I mean, calling Childline or whatever for someone running around in a nappy - it is pathetic," she said.
The NSPCC said in a statement that it was the call of Northumbria Police to attend to the tip. "Every year, the NSPCC Helpline makes tens of thousands of referrals to external agencies following reports of concerns for children’s welfare ranging from neglect and physical abuse to sexual abuse. It is then down to those agencies to decide if they will take any action," a spokesperson said.