Not necessarily. Depends on what. Also depends on what backups mom has in place such as does a neighbor friend know he is a latchkey child and is watching out for him. Are there security doors on the complex? Are there locked gates? And a TYPICAL 7 year old does NOT matter. What matters is this seven year old. Is the child comfortable with the arrangement or not.
No neighbors or friends, she's new to the apartment and he doesn't have any friends he walks with either. No security doors, gates but they remain open as they are broken.
This was Dad's weekend and he spoke to son about it one on one and son doesn't know what to do in emergencies, is scared and doesn't like staying home by himself and would really like it if dad would pick him up after school everyday until mom got home.
Dad spoke to someone at the police department in the county we live in and was informed that the legal age for a child to stay home alone is 13 - in this county anyway. He spoke to mom again about it and it seems she's concerned if she uses Dad too much he might try to take son away. Dad assured her that wasn't the case. He said you are a good mom, and I think you'd be a better mom to let me pick him up than to have him home alone and something happen. She agreed for him to pick him up everyday after school for the time being and she'll either stop and get him or Dad will take him back. We live less than 5 minutes apart.
Just thought I'd offer a closing to the situation for those interested.
Thanks for your help.