How long can parents leave their children with grandparents before the children are considered abandoned by the parents?

Answer 1

6 months to a year. CA Family Law Code

7822. (a) A proceeding under this part may be brought where the child has been left without provision for the child's identification by the child's parent or parents or by others or has been left by both parents or the sole parent in the care and custody of another for a period of six months or by one parent in the care and custody of the other parent for a period of one year without any provision for the child's support, or without communication from the parent or parents, with the intent on the part of the parent or parents to abandon the child.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fam&group=07001-08000&file=7820-7829

Answer 2

Most states don't have a set age - its' more about the circumstances and usually, what has happened (if anything) by the child being left. Did they burn down the house? Did they sit there and play Video Games until someone came home? Were they scared? Did someone break in and commit a crime against them? How long was the child left? What circumstances was the child found in (was there evidence of neglect, i.e. bruises, malnourishment, filth?) In the cases where a child was hurt or caused others to be hurt, the Law is going to look at the parents and why they left the child. If nothing happened and the child is clean, fed and otherwise safe no one will care much, unless the child is very young. I know of cases where a non-custodial parent tries to prove abandonment against the custodial parent for leaving kids say 10 and 8 home alone for hours while out on a date or at work, and unless something has happened, the Court doesn't do anything or change custody. The best thing to do, if you need more info is to look it up on your state's Family Services webpage - Google children's health care and your state and it should bring up the link for the right website in your state. Good luck!

Answer 3

Abandonment is not defined as a parent not interacting with his or her child. In regards to civil definition of the term it means the non present and/or custodial parent is not financially supporting his or her child/children.

Abandonment in the general criminal defintion is the parental (or caregiver) act of leaving a minor child in an environment that can be defined as neglectful, abusive, dangerous, etc. such action constitutes the criminal offense of endangerment.

In the civil definition it is the leaving a minor child with the intent of not seeing or supporting said child. In most instances six consecutive months of non contact (no visitation, letters, phone calls, emails, etc.) is considered abandonment of parental responsibility. However, due to the fact that the circumstances of individual cases must be taken into consideration, it is left to the discretion of the court to decide what course of action should be implemented.

Answer 4

Child abandonment is not specifically addressed using that particular phraseology. The Colorado Statute (C.R.S. 18-6-401 (2006) - Child Abuse) is the governing statute and describes only the various situations which my be considered to be prosecutable 'child abuse' situations but gives no statutory time limit for any of them. It is suggested that you confer with an attorney admitted to the CO Bar who specializes in Family Law.

Answer 5

As a parent you should never leave you child unattended and if this question ever pops into your head you answered your own question.

Answer 6

I would say that if a parent has to ask this question, they have already in some way abandoned their children.

Answer 7

1 hour.

Answer 8

12 hours