totally OT question - truancy?

Yeah, I think we tend to be really hard on parents that are struggling.  I think these parents are doing the best they can and just need some help.

I am glad you spoke with her rather than getting others involved. Sounds like she has enough on her plate without having to deal with more. Offering to help her was a good thing. Questions are answered and problem will be solved. =)  You took the right path. 

I went through a mess when I started home schooling my son. The neighbors called in that I was neglecting to send my child to school and I had all kinds of crap to clean up. Had they simply asked me it would have been no big deal. =)

Thanks.  I feel good about how I dealt with it.

I was hesitant to speak to the mom because I didn't want her to be offended or tell me it was none of my business.  Yes, I realize she would be offended if a truant officer or social worker showed up at her door - but then I would not have had to deal with her reaction.  Yeah, I'm sort of chicken sometimes.  I felt like, it had to be someone else's job to deal with the problem, not mine.  Which is lazy and taking the easy path, I know.

I think it turned out to be a good thing that no one I called was at all interested in helping because that meant I ended up deciding to talk to the mom myself, which I think was really the best thing to do.  She didn't seem offended, I found out what was going on, and let mom know I am willing to help if she needs it.  I think that's a much better approach than getting officials involved, at least in this instance.

It does take a village to raise a child.

Amen!

I would think the police handle it. I know when we were in school they did. I had a friend get picked p by the cops when he was skipping and the parents ended up in court.

I just read your response. Being military and my kids being in many schools I have never heard of schools not doing a 30 day waiver for birth cert. so kids do not miss school. Also, she can have the last school fax the copy they have of the birth cert to the new school. 

I would have thought so too.  Apparently it is being resolved now.  If they aren't all four in school by Monday, I will try to follow up with the school or someone.

In Oregon, the truancy issues are handled through the Resource Officer assigned to the school. This is an actual city police officer. I'd contact the non-emergent phone number for your local police office. They should be able to direct you to the correct personnel.
We have home schooled in the past. It is regulated by the state and requires the child to take the same mandatory testing that the children take in school. So even when these children are home schooled, there are guidelines that must be followed and this information is on file with the school district, so they know where each child is being educated. I guess the only way around it, is if the parents have never enrolled/registered their children in school, they can fall between the cracks, until the parents are caught.
In our area, if the child has too many unexcused absences, the minimum fine a judge can hand down is $500. I have no idea what additional offenses cost.
I would call the police.

Disclaimer--
I'm caught...I didn't read all the posts and it now sounds like its been handled. Thank you for not ignoring the problem, however.