NotYourAverageStepMama wrote:

Now this is probably all pointless, but is it worth reporting to CPS with video proof of both SD and SD's sister on multiple occasions not wearing seatbelts while BM is driving them around? If we reported it, would be 100% anonymously with the video proof as well. Just don't know if it is a waste of time that would just cause issues, but there is no reason a 9 and 11 year old shouldn't be wearing seatbelts. Oh, plus the children are both riding in the front seat which is also against the law too. 

What is the MATTER with her?!  How do you all have video of this? 
Is there any way you would know when she's in the car with the kids and just call the cops on her then? Seems like she'd need to be caught "red-handed."  Having video is going to reveal who reported, right? 

Winterglow wrote:

Definitely report it. No matter what the outcome is. You'd never forgive yourself if they were in an accident and you hadn't.

Yeah, I’ve been feeling like that. I just want to do it all anonymously. We have suspected that BM has been allowing them to ride not safely buckled for a while because as soon as SD would get in our cars here she would put the upper half of her seatbelt behind her back. We had tried to ask several different ways, but no matter how gently she would get defensive and say “no one” and “I don’t know why I did that.” However, you could tell it was a habit. Now BM has made several posts or reels that show photos/videos of both not safe with seatbelt/lack of one and then riding in the front seat.

At 9 and 11, the seat  belt would be an issue.  But, while I think it's recommended that kids don't sit in the front seat until they are maybe 12 or 13... that doesn't necessarily mean it is illegal for them to do so.. and you may have footage that is older when they were under age per laws.. but at this point.. if the kids are older, CPS or the law is unlikely to do much about it.

I did a quick google and it said that CPS generally wouldn't step in over a "legal" issue re car seat usage.. that it would be law enforcement... clearly it's not great parenting.. but if their "home life" would measure up.. if the kids appear well fed etc.. I'm not sure CPS will waste much time on it.

NotYourAverageStepMama wrote:

Now this is probably all pointless, but is it worth reporting to CPS with video proof of both SD and SD's sister on multiple occasions not wearing seatbelts while BM is driving them around? If we reported it, would be 100% anonymously with the video proof as well. Just don't know if it is a waste of time that would just cause issues, but there is no reason a 9 and 11 year old shouldn't be wearing seatbelts. Oh, plus the children are both riding in the front seat which is also against the law too. 

You know, coming back to this, I think this is such a serious matter that I wonder why your DH doesn't contact BM and tell her what he's seen and demand that she put the kids in the back seat with seatbelts on. If possible (and legal), he should record the conversation. Yes, of course, then she'd have the option of refraining from posting the pictures on social media and hiding it. But this is a safety issue that I think my DH would have gone ballistic over (and he did not go ballistic over much, believe me). What is your DH saying about this? (Sorry if I somehow missed that.)