Sibling Calling Cops on Teen Sister After She Stole Son's Bike Cheered

A sibling has been praised online after they supposedly called the police on their younger sister after she took out and lost a bike that wasn't hers.

In a viral Reddit post shared in the Am I The ******* group, which can be seen here, user Fowntownpown explained they had purchased a bike for their son's 14th birthday.

But the user explained their sister had decided to take the bike out and had somehow lost it, resulting in them calling the police.

The user posted: "The bike was kept in my parent's garage and my sister, who's also 14 decided to take it out for a joyride and managed to get it stolen. I told her she had to find it in 24 hours or I'd call the cops.

"My parents thought I was just trying to scare her but I really wasn't. I'm a single parent and saved for months just to get it."

The poster added: "My sister couldn't find it, so this afternoon I called the police and they've told me they probably won't be able to get the bike back but my sister will end up getting a slap on the wrist."

It was later revealed the poster's parents were extremely mad with them and said the situation could "have the potential to ruin my sister's life."

Kaytee Gillis, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in family relationships told Newsweek the responsibility lay with the parents.

She said: "In this situation, the responsibility truly lies on the adults. Either the poster, who didn't take steps to secure their property securely, or the parents, who allowed the 14-year-old to take the bike out and somehow lost it/got it stolen.

"The parents allowed the bike to be used from their property, and are responsible for the property that was borrowed and was unable to be returned. I had a similar situation with a family once and I directed the question to the family, asking them what they could have done differently."

Gillis added: "In session, I would ask the sister and parents, 'do you think it's fair to purchase another bike to replace the one you were unable to bring back?' And we would have a discussion from there to explore family history of handing these things and how that may have led them to where they are now. Ultimately, if the parents promised to keep it safe, it is their responsibility to replace it.

"If the parents choose to purchase a bike and have the sister pay them back, that is one option. Or the sister can choose to work doing chores to replace it. But I would also have a conversation about personal responsibility with the sibling who purchased the bike, and perhaps explore other options such as storage or layaway for a future purchase.

"If the family refuses to replace it, then the sibling who purchased the bike might have to consider their boundaries in the future such as whether or not they will allow their property to remain at their family's house, or if they want to instead purchase storage for gifts. The family put them in an uncomfortable situation, and I would redirect the focus back onto them and ask them what solutions they have to fix the situation.

"Is there any potential fallout that could come from calling the police over a relatively small issue? Absolutely. The younger sister and her parents might choose to hold a grudge or refuse to associate with that sibling who called the police. And the sibling who calls the police might have to consider that that is a possibility."

Good Decision

Since being posted online last week, the post has attracted some 10,700 upvotes as well as some 1,400 comments.

Unlike Gillis, the majority of commenters were supportive of the poster's decision to call the police.

One Reddit user said: "Your parents need to take a loan to buy a bike for your son for his birthday and your sister can get a job to pay them back if need be then you'll drop the charges until she goes through the court process."

Another added: "Parents replace the bike or take your parents to small claims court."

A third posted: "Love this. Actions have consequences and 14 is a perfect age to learn this."

Newsweek has contacted Fowntownpown for comment.