When you work in the same area for a long period of time you become familiar with many of the citizens of the town. Sometimes you become friends with them and other times they remain just a familiar face. And so one night while working the town I received a call about a disturbance in a neighborhood. I was told that a male and female were screaming outside. I drove to the location and saw a small round female sitting in the car. As soon as I pulled up she said “thank goodness you are here officer. My name is Nila and I’m here to get my child from my baby daddy.” I asked Nila if that was what the screaming was about and she said yes. Nila said that her baby daddy, Rodney, would not give back their newborn who she had custody of. I sighed and said to Nila “it’s probably because it’s three in the morning.” Nila looked at me and yelled “well I want my baby now.” I told Nila that it was not reasonable to show up so early in the morning and also that if she and Rodney were going to be co-parents they needed to go to court to clearly settle the custody of the child.. I also told her that because Rodney was already up we would get her child but that she cannot show up at such an unreasonable time and cause a disturbance again.
I knocked on the door and a very old lady came out. “Uhh is Rodney here?” The lady said, “I already know what this is about.” She then turned and said “Rodney! Go get the baby.” A skinny small man then came out and whined loud enough for me to hear it; “but I don’t want to Grandma.” Grandma turned back and said “do it now boy! I don’t want that girl outside any longer.” Rodney glared at me then said “yes ma’am.” A few minutes later Rodney returned with a baby in his arms. He handed the child to me with a snarl and said “I hope you are happy.” I looked at him confused. I’m not the one that told Rodney to have a child with someone he did not get along with. I was about to respond but I figured that he was in enough emotional pain. Then the Grandma spoke up “oh stop it Rodney!” She yelled. “They will be here next week.” Grandma then looked at me and said this happens all the time.”
I brought the baby to Nila and she left. My supervisor SGT. Colin then told me that they have had issues with Nila and Rodney for years. He told me that it was never anything serious but officers have ended up wasting so much time on them and Unfortunately this would not be the last time. I had to deal with Nila and Rodney on several occasions and unfortunately we never became friends.
Originally posted on my blog
(https://ourstoriesfrombehindthebadge.wordpress.com/)
