OrangeBlood4life, I'm sorry for the circumstances your sister finds herself in and hope this doesn't cause a separation since it sounds like it's her aunt's home/situation that is problematic (well, that is unless your sister is being neglectful). Lice is unfortunate but it's so common and 'contagious' among kids that neglect isn't the only conclusion so it may not be that your sister isn't a bad mom so much as one that is in a bad situation. It could honestly have generated elsewhere despite the poor conditions *BUT* it could also be neglect and/or the conditions. Hopefully CPS can sort all of this out.
That brings me to a few questions.... 1. Does your sister and her child have anywhere else to go or are they out of living options? 2. Are they on a waiting list for public housing? (I know there's an incredible backlog -- several years in some places -- but a situation like this one could move them to the front of the line and lead to a better outcome from all of this). 3. Are you and/or any other relatives able to house them while they get their footing? (I know that's not always possible and that she may not even agree to that but if a better home/family member in terms of a healthy environment could step up it would likely be of help to the child
In normal circumstances, I'm not terribly freaked out by messy homes on their own or even just a cockroach problem as that can happen due buying produce these days as the nasty little buggers infest everything BUT I get the feeling from your post it goes far beyond just messy w/cockroaches. In that scenario, you don't have a choice. You MUST CALL. I'm also of the mind that it takes more than normal issues to get a family member or even a friend to make that call because no one wants to call authorities on loved ones and we all want to think the best of them. I don't think you'd have brought this up if it weren't bad, maybe far worse than you're describing.
IOW, please don't feel guilty - this is the only real choice you have and more than what you saw could be going on. You walked into a bad situation and that's not your fault.
If you're worried about family issues from reporting - don't reveal to them that it was you who called as they'll never know otherwise. From my understanding CPS doesn't reveal sources and it's ALWAYS better to err on the side of caution.
I wish you, the child and your entire family the best. All of you will be in my thoughts but you are definitely doing the right thing by calling. Stay strong, orangeblood. I know it's hard. But you're doing the right thing. :toast: