How old does a child have to be to stay at home alone in California?

Answer 1

There is no law in California that specifies the age.

The age at which a child can be left at home alone is only legislated in two states and California is not one of them. 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.

Answer 2

There is not a California law pertaining to the legal age when a minor child can be left home alone. The common law that is applied is a child under the age of fourteen years who has been left with the "intent to abandon." The definition of abandonment is 24 hours in a place where the child is placed in a position of neglect or endangement.

Answer 3

The topic is not legislated in California. The normal expectation is that the child can take care of themselves and knows how to get help if they need it. Certainly not under 10 and until about 13, only short periods of time and typically daytime.

Answer 4

There is no legal age specified in California. Most authorities will say a 12 or 13 year old can be safely left at home for a couple of hours during the day.

Answer 5

I believe the age is 14

Answer 6

One would think, 18.

Answer 7

The safe one is probably a teen.

Answer 8

15

Answer 9

16