[chevyjewel]

I think it's wonderful you were doing your best to be compassionate but I would have called the police/CPS the second she left. What this woman described to you is imprisonment. What you now know about her family is proof enough that she was there and that she was (supposedly) terrified of the abuse she and her children are suffering. She could lie to anyone investigating all she wants, but the details you would provide would I'm pretty sure be enough to get the ball rolling.

Your reporting what you witnessed and what she told you in your home will not make your family a target. And IMO who really cares if it does. Get a restraining order if you're that worried about it. And really, what's the worst this man will do? Threaten you? Then call the police and get him thrown in jail because the woman won't and that's where he belongs. I would NOT hesitate for a second to get law enforcement involved if he even looked at me sideways.

IMHO doing nothing about abuse someone KNOWS is occurring is enabling and supporting of it. You may be these children's only chance to get out of this situation because the woman no longer can/will stand up for them herself.

For future reference I would not allow her to use your phone for long distance phone calls (for all you know she was just ringing up your phone bill because she you were naive enough to buy her abuse story, maybe she wasn't being abused at all, she was speaking in Spanish so who knows for sure now). Nor would I even consider letting a stranger (with kids in tow or not) stay in my home for hours on end, I think that was more dangerous than reporting this situation ever would be if indeed he really is an abuser. If the situation is that desperate she needs to go to a shelter if she shows up at your door.

If you really feel the need to continue being involved in this the next time she shows up offer to drive her and her kids to a shelter or call the police. Tell her that's all you can do because you don't agree with what's going on and that's the only thing that'll help them in the long run.

Best of luck to that family if what she's told you is true and best of luck to you in making the right decision as to how to proceed.