What is the legal age that a child can stay home alone in Missouri?

Answer 1

There are two states that have set a minimum age of 13 (Maryland and Illinois). No other states have a law about what age someone has to be to be left alone. They are more concerned with the child's ability to take care of themself and has the means to do so.

Answer 2

There are two states that have set a minimum age of 13 (Maryland and Illinois). There is not any other states that have a law about what age someone has to be to be left alone. They are more concerned with the child's ability to take care of themself and has the means to do so. Answer (Updated) There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Missouri currently has no law that states a minimum age. Georgia, Illiniois, 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. See the Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits link below for recommendations and a listing of a state by state comparison.

Answer 3

According to the local police department, Missouri has no legal age requirement. It is completely on the discretion of the parent. However, anyone can call in and report child endangerment claims to the Department of Family Services. If DFS must visit the home, and sees it is unfounded, then all is fine. But ultimately, it is up to the descretion of DFS. So in short, use your own judgment or DFS will. Leaving a 4, 5, 6, or 7 year old child at home alone may not be the best choice.

Legal AnswerThere 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 Home Alone Children Legal 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).

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

The age at which a child can be left at home alone is only legislated in two states, Maryland and Illinois. The legal check is whether or not the child is safe and has the ability to take care of themselves. Most authorities agree that leaving a 12 year old alone at home for an hour or two is acceptable, but they should not be responsible for other children. LEGAL Age (Updated) There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, 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 of age appears to be the most common recommendation. http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm 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.

According to the reference for Missouri cited in the link above: "there's no age requirement in Missouri ... According to Missouri law, parents must exercise reasonable diligence in the care of a child under the age of 17"

Answer 6

In Missouri, there actually isn't one. However, most people would agree that leaving and eight or nine year old home alone for a few hours is fairly acceptable, as long as they aren't in charge of other children. Over night is a different story, though. I'd say fourteen or fifteen is probably a good, sensible time when the child is independent and efffiient enouh to remain home alone for an extended period of time.

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

There is no legal minimum age in which a child can be left home alone overnight in Missouri. However it is never recommended that a child younger than age 12 be left home alone at all.

Answer 9

12