age requirement

Was wondering the age requirement for letting children stay home alone even for just the day in Maryland.

There is no law that stipulates such. Therefore, when the child is an adult. 18

So your tellin me that by NO law a 10 yr old can stay home all day long and evening by them selves?

There is no law that stipulates a child of this age CAN do such. However, there are plentiful statutes, both state and federal, that stipulates a child of this age CANNOT do such.

One such comes to mind is Neglect statutes. Add to that child endangerment, abuse and ....should I go on?

If you are contemplating such, DON'T. If you know of such, report it immediately to the police. If you are only inquiring for information, you have it.

[stealth2]

Your best bet would be to call CPS and ask them.

Personally? I wouldn't leave a 10yo home alone for an entire day into evening. I have allowed my nearly 10yo (less than a month shy) to be home alone for a half hour or so, and my 12.5yo for a couple of hours. But they have very strict rules on what they can and can't do, we live in a very tight community with numerous sahp's who keep an eye on things, and we have two very loud dogs. An entire day? Nope.

[nextwife]

A 10 year old alone all day? Yikes.

Actually he is 11 1/2 yrs old and ex has been letting him home alone on days there is no school when he has resources he could use for care and just chooses not to. We start a modification of custody on Monday and this information would be helpful. Would this still apply for his age?



Thanks for your info.

[stealth2]

I would not leave my 12 1/2 yo home alone all day. And he's a very responsible young man.

I'd call CPS and ask their input. If there's a GAL, I'd also inquire of him/her.

Thank you for your advice, I was just needin to know if there was fact for the state of Maryland weather it be law or statue that a 11 yr old is not legally allowed home alone for a substantial amounts of time. I need to bring facts to the table. Im sure the master doesnt want his time takin up by hear say.

Sorry to be blunt but a very touchy subject. And much work to be done to prepare myself for case.


Again I thank you!

[stephenk]

why did you first say your son was 10 and then later say he was 11 1/2?

[misslawli]

I have found that alot of states are similar on this one. It is unlawfull to leave any one under 12 unsupervised. But here in Az a 12 year old can be by them selves. trying to find a day care that takes kids over 12 is next to impossible. I believe that a 12 yo can start leagally babysitting by themselves. I only know this because I use to for for a couple of daycares and other childcare places. But definately do asthe others suggested and call cps to find out. Laws change, and its been 7 years.

I said that because the first responce I recieve after my original poste was unclear to me. I was using an example senario for him to clearify his responce. Which in return he did so.

Thank you for your input.

[stephenk]

"It is unlawfull to leave any one under 12 unsupervised"

???

[misslawli]

Sorry I was infact mistaken. I got this out of the CPS page from the website for the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Hopefully it will help out some.

"CPS has identified situations (that could cause a substantiated risk of harm to children who are alone) that are taken as reports for investigation. For example: - Children under the age of six; - A child of any age who cannot care for his or herself due to a physical, emotional or mental inability; - Children six to nine years of age, for three hours or longer; or it is unknown when the parent will return.

CPS understands there are times when school age children may have to be alone for a while. A call about these (latch key) children doesn't automatically mean a CPS report will be taken, however, anyone can call CPS when they know or believe children are alone. Parent's must use good judgment about their children's capabilities, as they are ultimately responsible"

I don't think I want to leave my 6-9 yo alone for up to 3 hours.

[stealth2]

Originally posted by misslawli
Sorry I was infact mistaken. I got this out of the CPS page from the website for the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Hopefully it will help out some.

"CPS has identified situations (that could cause a substantiated risk of harm to children who are alone) that are taken as reports for investigation. For example: - Children under the age of six; - A child of any age who cannot care for his or herself due to a physical, emotional or mental inability; - Children six to nine years of age, for three hours or longer; or it is unknown when the parent will return.

CPS understands there are times when school age children may have to be alone for a while. A call about these (latch key) children doesn't automatically mean a CPS report will be taken, however, anyone can call CPS when they know or believe children are alone. Parent's must use good judgment about their children's capabilities, as they are ultimately responsible"

I don't think I want to leave my 6-9 yo alone for up to 3 hours.

None of which makes it unlawful to leave a 12yo unsupervised. Would I leave my 9yo for 3 hours alone? Not likely. My 12 yo? Conceivably. If something were to happen, however, I could be held culpable.