== == There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages, but many state agencies have published guidelines (Georgia, Illinois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with very specific ages). Typically 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work).
12 years old appears to be the most common recommendation. http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm provides a state by state comparison.
Any mentally normal child under 7 years cannot be left alone for any amount of time. Children older than that can be left for a range of 2 - 24 depending on age. I think the previous response and question need clarification. I can't imagine my child being 14 years old, and not allowing her to stay home alone. Most baby sitters I know start baby sitting at 12 or 13. For children with normal mental capabilities: Ages 7 and under cannot be left alone for any period of time. Children ages 8 through 9 can be left in their home alone for up to 2 hours. Children 10 through 13 can be left alone for up to 12 hours. Children 14 to 17 can be left at home up to 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision (an adult willing to take legal responsibility preferably within 5 miles). For children that are mentally handicapped you have to go by their maturity age and not their chronological age. == I disagree with the ages listed above and believe that Indiana Child Welfare would also. Ages below 8 should not be alone period. Ages 9 - 10 should not be alone longer than 30 minutes. Ages 11 - 12 should not be alone longer than 3-4 hours. Ages 13 - 15 should not be alone longer than 8 hours. Ages 16 - 17 should not be left alone longer than 12 hours. All this being said, there actually is NO LAW as to the proper or legal age of a child being left alone in Indiana. BUT there are things to consider however that could cause problems of a legal nature regarding Child Protection Services and need to be addressed for the safety of child and parent: * Will the child have access to a telephone in case of emergency? * Does the child know to dail 9-1-1 in an emergency? * What constitutes an emergency to warrant calling 9-1-1? * How long will the parents be gone, leaving the child alone thus subjecting the child to neglect? * Is there proper food in the house? * Does the house contain health hazzards? (ie: exposed wiring, falling ceiling tiles or plaster, broken steps, broken windows, etc...) * Are there firearms in the home the child could access dangerously? * Are there lighters the child might obtain and start a fire? * Is there running water in the home? All of these issues are ones that the child protection agencies would be considering if a neighbor or interested party were to call in a neglect charge for the child being at home alone. Leaving a sheet of chores or tasks to take care of and to occupy the child's interest and lessen the chance of mishap is always a good idea. Items that can be left on the sheet are things such as cleaning the child's room, drawing the parent a picture of what the school day was like or what they hope it to be like if they haven't gone yet, and watching television. Never allow a young child to clean dishes that would include sharp edges or sharp knives or cooking while they are unattended and below the age of 12.
Only two states have legislated a specific age to leave a child home alone, Illinois and Maryland. Generally speaking, the child must be safe, must feel safe, and know how to take care of themselves in an emergency. Most places believe that 12 or 13 is okay to leave home alone for a couple of hours during daylight hours.
Residents of Indiana who have a child should know the state does not have an age minimum for leaving your child home alone. However, it is important to consider the exact length of your trip as well as how responsible your child is before deciding whether or not they can handle this responsibility.
No younger than 16 years old and that depends on the maturity of the child.
Legal AgeThere are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages specified in their laws.Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides one guideline from a California agency representative who suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work). This site also provides a state by state comparison with references.
When they are capable of taking care of themselves and are not endangered. There is no rule or law in place that says what it has to be. Most authorities say the 12 is okay for short periods of time. There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws. 12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Latchkey Kids Age Limits which provides a state by state comparison with references. One guideline from a California child welfare representative suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for a brief period of time (usually just after school).
In Indiana the legal age for a child to leave their parents is 18 years.
There is no law in the state of Indiana which places a legal minimum age at which a kid can be left home alone. The minimum age ranges from 8 to 14 in other states.
12
12 in Indiana, but there are time restrictions with that. In Canada a child at the age of 11 years can go to a home alone course and after that they can stay home alone.
It is not legislated. The child needs to be safe. 12
There is currently not a law that specifies the age a child has to be to stay home alone overnight. It is left up to the parents to decide if their child is mature enough to handle it.
Only two states have legislated a specific age to leave a child home alone, Illinois and Maryland. Generally speaking, the child must be safe, must feel safe, and know how to take care of themselves in an emergency. Most places believe that 12 or 13 is okay to leave home alone for a couple of hours during daylight hours.
It depends on your definition of child. Some nine year old individuals can be responsible when left alone. On the other hand there are 17 year old individuals that can't be left anywhere alone. Still, I am a firm believer that if you have to ask a question like this, your not ready to leave any child alone. All it takes is one disconnect for something to go terribly wrong.
12 in Indiana, but there are time restrictions with that. In Canada a child at the age of 11 years can go to a home alone course and after that they can stay home alone.
It is not legislated. The child needs to be safe. 12
In Indiana, there is no specific legal age at which a child can live alone. However, it is generally recommended that a child be at least 14 years old before being left home alone for an extended period of time. Parents or guardians should use their judgment based on the child's maturity and ability to care for themselves.
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There is currently no law that dictates how old a child has to be before they can be left home alone all night. It is basically up to the parents to decide if their child is ready for that.
There is currently not a law that specifies the age a child has to be to stay home alone overnight. It is left up to the parents to decide if their child is mature enough to handle it.
No I was left alone at 10 with a 12 year old there is no law that you can't leave a child alone at home.
Only two states have legislated a specific age to leave a child home alone, Illinois and Maryland. Generally speaking, the child must be safe, must feel safe, and know how to take care of themselves in an emergency. Most places believe that 12 or 13 is okay to leave home alone for a couple of hours during daylight hours.
Age is not specified in Indiana. It apparently depends on the child's capabilities to take care of themselves. I would suggest talking with your local law enforcement agency.
The state of Louisiana does not have a law that states the age in which a child can be left home alone. However it is never recommended that a child under age 12 be left home alone for any period of time.
No! A child has to be 10 years ol to stay home alone!