[UPDATE] AITAH for refusing to go back to the US to raise my “orphaned” sibling?
Shanghai’s neon glow fades for a 26-year-old expat as chaos erupts back in Utah. His bold call for a welfare check on his 10-year-old sister unveiled a grim reality: a drug-addled mother and a child in peril, locked in her room with a hidden knife. Now, with his sister temporarily safe, family fingers point at him, blaming his absence for their woes.
This Reddit update pulls back the curtain on a family in freefall, where addiction and neglect collide with loyalty and guilt. It’s a raw, heart-wrenching tale that asks: how far does responsibility stretch when home is worlds away?
For those who want to read the previous part: Original post
‘[UPDATE] AITAH for refusing to go back to the US to raise my “orphaned” sibling?’
A welfare check turned a family’s dysfunction into a public crisis. The expat’s decision to alert authorities saved his sister from a dangerous home, but it also unleashed a torrent of family blame. His relatives’ accusations—that his absence caused their mother’s spiral—reflect a classic deflection, sidestepping their own inaction.
Child neglect affects over 600,000 U.S. children annually, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, often leaving relatives or foster care as the only options. Here, the family’s focus on the mother’s recovery over the sister’s safety raises red flags. Dr. Gabor Maté, an addiction expert, notes, “Addiction thrives in isolation, but recovery requires community support.” The family’s failure to intervene earlier left a child vulnerable.
The expat could maintain distance while advocating for his sister, perhaps coordinating with Child Protective Services or exploring foster care options. His life abroad shouldn’t mean abandoning her entirely.
See what others had to share with OP:
Reddit’s back with takes hotter than a Sichuan summer! The community dives in with praise, advice, and a sprinkle of outrage:
These voices stir the pot, but do they untangle the real issues at play? Or are they just cheering from the sidelines?
This update lays bare a family fractured by addiction, blame, and tough choices. The expat’s welfare check was a lifeline for his sister, yet the family’s finger-pointing shows how easily responsibility gets dodged. With his sister’s future hanging in the balance, what’s the right move—stay distant or step closer? What would you do in this tangled web of duty and distance? Share your thoughts below!
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