A teenage babysitter agreed to help out a family for the evening—but when the parents disappeared for hours and stopped answering calls, what was she supposed to do? Imagine being 16, stuck late at night with three kids, no backup, and no clue where the adults are.
That’s the exact nightmare this Redditor found herself in when a simple Saturday job turned into an anxious waiting game. With the clock ticking past midnight and calls going unanswered, she made a decision that left one father screaming and Reddit up in arms. Curious how it all unfolded? Let’s get into it.
One teen shared on Reddit how calling the police when the parents she was babysitting for didn’t return on time led to a fiery confrontation
OP later provided an update:
When a teenager is put in charge of three young children, communication and trust become non-negotiable. But in this Reddit post, both went out the window when the kids’ parents failed to return on time—or even respond to calls for hours.
Situations like this aren’t just inconvenient; they can quickly become dangerous. According to child safety expert Dr. Laura Jana, “Babysitters—especially teens—need clear instructions, emergency contacts, and responsive adults to ensure children’s well-being. Leaving them guessing or isolated puts everyone at risk”.
The babysitter in this case followed every logical step: tried contacting the parents repeatedly, then reached out to her own parents, and only after exhausting options did she contact the police. Far from being impulsive, her actions reflect maturity and responsibility—especially when left alone for three extra hours without any notice.
Yet, the father’s reaction—screaming at her—suggests deeper issues. Often, anger in these situations stems from embarrassment or guilt. “When people are caught being irresponsible, especially by someone younger, they may lash out defensively,” notes psychologist Dr. Guy Winch. It’s not uncommon for adults to flip the blame when their own poor decisions are exposed.
This also raises questions about boundaries and expectations for teen workers. Babysitters, regardless of age, are entrusted with serious responsibility—but that doesn’t mean they should be left unsupported. A babysitter has every right to expect safety, backup, and basic respect.
What this post really reveals is the imbalance of power in caregiving relationships. It’s easy for parents to dismiss the needs of their sitter, especially a teen, but that doesn’t make it okay. In fact, as many Redditors pointed out, if the roles had been reversed and it was a teen child who went missing without updates, those same parents would’ve called the police instantly.
Reddit’s AITA crew rallied behind this teen, roasting the parents for their irresponsibility
This commenter pointed out that all the drama could’ve been avoided if the parents had simply sent a text or answered their phone.
Another emphasized how many times OP tried to reach out and praised her for handling the situation with maturity and care
One Reddit User believed the parents lied about the return time on purpose, possibly to avoid paying for extra hours
One Reddit User noted that she deserved better communication
This commenter stated that being three hours late without communication was more than enough reason to involve the police
Another praised OP’s instincts, calling her actions logical and responsible given how long the parents were gone
One Reddit User shared that while they personally wouldn’t have called the police, the father had no right to yell at OP after disappearing
One Reddit User said OP acted responsibly and logically by calling the police, especially after being unable to reach the parents for over three hours while caring for three young children
This commenter highlighted how dangerous the situation could have been and applauded OP for prioritizing the children’s safety
Another said OP did the best she could and criticized the parents for putting a minor in such an irresponsible position
This teen’s babysitting gig turned into a late-night panic fest, thanks to parents who left her hanging with no word. Calling the cops was her last resort, but their angry outburst made her the bad guy.
Should she forgive their irresponsibility, or stick to her guns and never babysit for them again? How would you handle being ghosted while watching someone’s kids? Drop your thoughts below!
