Leaving newborn alone for half an hour?

Question

A neighbour has just left her newborn alone for half an hour while she goes out. I'm pretty sure no one else is in there. Is this illegal?

Answer 1

OH MY GOD!!!!
of course it is! no child should be left on their own for any time.
anything could happen and no one is there to help them.
if this happens againi would phone the police right away so they can be there waiting for her coming back.
no one need know it was you but imagine if something did happen and you could put a stop to it?

Answer 2

If you have any concerns about the care of a baby, you need to do something. Leaving a new born baby alone in a premises for any length of time is very risky (what if there was a fire) and could be construed as neglect.

However, speak to her face to face first to get your facts right in a non-confrontational manner. You cannot know the exact situation, she may have someone staying with her.

If you don't know here, introduce yourself and congratulate her. Enquire how she is getting on and whether she has any help from her family or friends or if she needs any help from you such as getting some food shopping done.

If you are still concerned you should notify your local authorities, in the UK this should be social services or even speak to the local GP surgery.

In the UK, if the baby is less than three weeks old, the mother should still be receiving visits from her health visitor.

Answer 3

Yes, it is... dont call the police, dont call social services, go over and knock on the door. Perhaps someone will answer!!! If not, have a serious talk with your neighbor explaining how it is dangerous to leave a child alone when she is back (in a non-confrontational manner of course). Only after having a talk, and seeing this person repeat their action, should you feel free to call social services in my opinion. Some people honestly dont see the danger, perhaps no one has ever said you cant do this.

Answer 4

Jesus Christ, Do you actualy have to ask that question ? Anyone with any common sense at all knows you should never leave a child alone ecspecialy a baby for any amount of time. Best thing to do is call the police or social services right away before something bad happens to that baby,,,,,,,,,,, Hurry the hell up and get on the phone

Answer 5

A baby should never be left alone in a house, even if it is just for half an hour. Ring Social Services for advice.

Answer 6

Yes this is illegal.If you are 100% confident that no one was with the baby then i'd speak to social services. You don't have to give your name or details but just what is concerning you about this person. If she is willing to leave a newborn baby by itself and go out, then you don't know what else is happening in the house. If she does it again who's going to help the baby if it's sick and she's lying on her back????

Answer 7

i learned that when something is out of a new born baby's sight, i does not exist for them anymore.
You should have gone in there and pretended to be that baby's mom. He needs somebody to take care of him better than that.
The worst could have happened in only half an hour! Thank goodness it didn't. Did it?
It sucks that we learn everything in school from how to write to politics, but there's no school on how to be a good mom/dad.
You should start one.
And it should be illegal.

Answer 8

I doubt it is illegal, but the poor baby! especially if it is a newborn, that is not healthy, at that age they are very susceptible ... hmm, i would say something to the neighbour before calling the police.
Mel
x

Answer 9

Oh my god what a terrible mother, call police, social services - call anyone who can lock that mother up. I cant leave my baby alone for even two minutes to put rubbish out at front of house, there are some bad parents out there. YES YES its VERY illegal.

Answer 10

YES! No child should be left alone - no matter how long - anything could happen. Newborns are very vunerable. Keep an eye on this woman. Social services would be onto her straight away if they knew.

Answer 11

a new responsible parent would never want to leave their new born alone for 3min even to go to the bathroom or take a shower for 5 min. it is not responsible, quick with neglect and wrong, regardless how many laws have been broken because the parents don’t want the child in the first place. Call child protective services or 911 they will send an officer over to the house to check on the child’s safety. "We don't choose our parents and they only choose our name"-Cody B.