[crick]

Please don't lock her in her room. With the language barrier, her changes in family, country, smells, sights etc. and fear she has at night will only scare her even more if she can't get out. Besides...if there's a fire or anything...gosh...don't even want to think what could happen. She could resort to banging her head against the wall or endanger herself and you would never know since she's far enough from your room.

I know you are tired and frustrated, but this is not a good or safe idea. Have you tried putting an alarm on her door so you know when she leaves the room?

I wonder why she can't just sleep in your room for awhile? If she goes to sleep in your room, isn't the problem of everyone's sleep and sanity solved?

I also think you should look into a qualified therapist to help you, as well as some respite care or just someone to help you out so you can get some sleep. Tired parents is a rough road so I do know you must be feeling at the end of your rope and you need help too.

As far as the legality of it...I don't know. Guess you'd have to contact the Texas child protective services to see. Imo, I'd think it would be illegal though because of the circumstances. She is deaf, cannot voice her fear at all or communicate with you. With that circumstance, to me it would be emotional abuse because she cannot understand what you are doing and seems to be truly afraid.

I would also say too that if you hope to bond and attach with her, this is not the way to do it. How can she learn to trust and depend on you? All she'll learn is what she's always known...to fend for herself and survive on her own.

If you have a therapist, talk to them. If you don't, get one.