Parents and guardians often ask, “When will my child be old enough to stay home alone?” Decisions about child safety go far beyond the law and require a careful and realistic assessment of each child`s readiness. Having to leave a child alone at home is not an easy decision, even with a fully capable child and if your trip to the store will only take a few minutes. Depending on where you live, there may be laws to help you make that decision and where the state draws the line in neglect. In this article, you`ll learn about the laws on when you can leave a child home alone, including helpful guidelines for: In Maryland, a child under the age of 8 cannot be left unattended at home, school, or in a car. Leave your child alone at home – [PDF] Child Welfare Information Portal. (2018). Leave your child home alone. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children`s Bureau. Unsupervised Children – [PDF] Maryland Department of Human Services Below are general guidelines to follow when considering the age range where you can leave children alone at home: Few states indicate a legal age to leave a child alone at home, including Maryland (8) and Illinois (14). However, most states have guidelines with the Department of Health and Human Services or other child welfare agencies that test a child`s ability to be left home alone. Factors may include the age and maturity of the child, the general safety of the environment or circumstances, and the precautions taken to ensure the child`s safety.

Finally, if it is necessary to leave children alone at home – at least if older children are involved – you can follow these recommendations: In addition to the suggestions listed above, it`s always a good idea to let your immediate neighbors know that some days your child may be home alone. Not only can a neighbor be a good resource in an emergency, but they can also help mitigate potential calls to parental control services from ignorant neighbors. If a parent or guardian must leave behind a child under the age of 8, the parent or guardian must ensure that a reliable person who is at least 13 years of age remains to protect the child. Failure to provide a reliable person to care for the child is an offence, and the parent or guardian is liable to a fine of up to $500 and imprisonment for up to 30 days. It is important to note that no two children are the same and parents must decide on a case-by-case basis what is best for their child. Therefore, in addition to the general guidelines listed above, a parent or guardian should consider the following before leaving a child home alone: According to the People`s Law Library of Maryland, children this age cannot be left alone at home, at school, or in a car. This can be difficult if one of the parents is single due to divorce or any other reason and there is a gap when the child comes home from school and their parents come home from work. However, a parent or guardian must ensure that the child is safe. You know your child and are best able to determine when they are ready to be alone. Factors such as emotional maturity, common sense, and self-confidence need to be considered. Ask yourself these questions to make your decision: Is your child too young to be home alone? It`s never easy to answer this question, but your state`s law provides advice. Since your child`s safety is paramount, talk to a legal expert who can give you a clear answer.

A family law attorney in your jurisdiction will be able to explain your state`s laws and help you understand how to comply with them. For any child of any age who needs to be alone, it is also important to start free time appropriately and gradually, with relapses and resources that the child can use to feel safe. Montgomery County fact sheet, When is my child old enough to stay home alone? Provides helpful guidelines and resources to help you get started with your plan. Help your child gradually stay home alone, starting with a very short period of time. Make sure your home is safe. These guidelines will help prepare your child for this important step: both inside and outside the home, parents and guardians should always provide appropriate care and attention to the children in their care. Children should not be left alone in situations where they could be injured. In addition, a disabled child of any age is entitled to even stricter protection. According to Maryland Child Protective Services, this includes a child 12 years of age and older who is left alone for long hours or overnight, or with responsibilities beyond his or her abilities, or who has a particular risk factor, such as an intellectual or physical disability, that indicates the child is at risk. In Maryland, a parent or other custodian of a child under the age of 13 must not carelessly or intentionally omit to notify the police within 24 hours of the date the person knew or should have known that the child was missing. A “missing child” is a child whose whereabouts are unknown to the parent or person having custody or control of the child. An exception exists if the missing child has already been reported to the police.

A violation of this law is a misdemeanor, and the person can get up to 3 years in prison. A parent or other person caring for or having custody of a child must report the death of the child to the police or medical personnel within five hours of becoming aware of the child`s death. There is an exception if the death has already been reported to police or medical personnel. Failure to report the death of the child is a crime, and the person can face up to 3 years in prison. This requirement can be met by ensuring that a person who is at least 13 years old accompanies the child, and parents must also ensure that anyone who supervises their child is reliable. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor, and the parent or guardian can be fined up to $500 and spend up to 30 days in jail. If your child in Maryland is under eight, the answer is no. Home » Towson Family Law Lawyers: Is it legal to leave my child alone at home?.