Is it legal to allow children ........etc?

Question

I was asking because my neighbour is in the habit of leaving her children unattended for long periods of time and I thought I had better check up before I said anything. I didn't expect mouthfuls of abuse. I know what you were thinking ~ just don't jump to conclusions, please.

Answer 1

No abuse whatsoever !! Very good question, and you are wise to be caring. Children 13 + can be alone for short periods of time. Very responsible young teens, 14 + , can go longer periods. In today's paper ( Houston), a young teen of 14 was babysitting 5 younger children, ages 11 years to 9 months. When the two year old would not stop crying, he hit him in the tummy and it caused internal bleeding which resulted in death. Although many teens have the outward appearance of an adult, they are still children and will react like children. They are not really ready to make rational decisions . If you need to take action, please do so. Children's Protective Services will protect your identity and a case worker will investigate.

Answer 2

It's the duty of everyone (not just the parents) to protect children. If in doubt phone Social Services for advice. If one of those children was killed, abducted or harmed in anyway and you had done nothing, how would you feel? Better to be safe than sorry. and I think it's wrong when people give abuse on this site but the protection of children often touches a raw nerve - as it should

Answer 3

Call the police to have them to check it out . It will be worth every cents if you show you do care. I know some one went through the same situation as you are in. She all did was that she called the police, telling that she has the concerns about the kids, but don't know how to say the right words and afraid to handle the situation improper, and afraid for backfire chaos because she was only a neighbor., but wanted the police to check it out. In a long run, if anything happen to the children, you will not sleep well on it and will say to yourself, I wish I have done it a long time ago. Please call and talk with a police. No need to give your name on the phone if you want keep your name as anonymous.

Answer 4

Depends on how old they are and where you live. Generally speaking, however, it is child neglect to leave your kids alone for long periods of time. I would not bother talking to them, though. I would go straight to calling the cops and making sure the right and legal thing is done. It is not YOUR responsibility to fix the problem. It IS your responsibility to report it. If what they are doing is legal, the authorities can take care of it.

Answer 5

I knew a family who often left the kids behind...the husband was away in the military, and the mother was careless, and seeing other men. She actually moved in with a boyfriend, and expected her teenage niece to watch her three kids where they were staying at her sister's house. When the husband found out, he had a 15 hour drive from Arizona to California to rescue the children from being taken away by Children's' "Protective" Services...he arrived one day before they were going to "rescue" the kids. They eventually got divorced...and she got away with it, although for 10 years he had 100% custody...that's the beginning of a different story. In California, a 12 year old child can stay home alone for short periods of time, such as sick from school...but not days on end. Any younger...then you need to call the police or CPS in your area. Those children are in danger. Anything could happen. I knew of another family...the young mother ran to the corner market to get some food or milk for the baby...and the baby was home asleep...the baby woke up to find the house had caught on fire...the mother ran home, terrified...it was less than a block away...people could see the baby sticking his hands through the mail slot in the door...and screaming...the baby survived but was seriously burned from head to toe...Other things could happen, in this day and age...some evil perverts are waiting and watching to see when you leave your youngsters home...just look at those boys who were kidnapped in Missouri. This world is getting worse and people are not nurturing their children. You would feel horrible to see the house burning and the children were trapped...you knew they were there and could possibly see them from a window or mail slot...the parents have to be responsible. I normally wouldn't involve CPS but in neglect cases it's better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 6

You didn't say how old the children are. If the oldest one is younger than 12, then yes, it's a problem. At least in our state. At 12 you can babysit. It does depend on what state you are in. You can always call your local Family Service Center or your local YWCA and ask, they can tell you. YWCA offers classes for girls to be babysitters, so they would know.

Answer 7

in the uk its 13 before they can legally be left alone. Any younger i would say something if the parents cant be approached then phone social services. Anything could happen and god forbid it does but then you'll be left with the "what if's". good luck children need protecting even if people think your a nosey neighbour at least you care. xxxx

Answer 8

in the uk, a child under 14 cannot look after a younger child so any child under 14 should not be left unattended. they could seriously hurt themselves or worse. even a stranger might know they are home alone & knock on the door & abduct them, think how u would feel if u could have stopped it.
report it now for the welfare of the children, no one will blame u 4 that.

Answer 9

In the UK it is 12 years. But the minimum age for children to babysit other children from different families it 14.

Answer 10

There is no law that states the minimum age that a child can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk... Check out the links ...