When is a child old enough to stay at home without a baby sitter?
Full Question:
I was just wondering when is a child old enough to stay home alone. I have a set of twins and I am a single mother. I cant afford child care and they think they are to old for a sitter. By law is there an age that they must be to stay home alone?
07/08/2007 |
Category: Minors |
State: Washington |
#6994
Answer:
No. Child neglect laws don't specify a maximum age for requiring a babysitter. The following are sections of a WA statute:
(6) "Child" or "children" means any person under the age of eighteen years of age.
(12) "Abuse or neglect" means the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare, and safety is harmed, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100. An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined in this section.
(15) "Negligent treatment or maltreatment" means an act or omission that evidences a serious disregard of consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger to the child's health, welfare, and safety, including but not limited to conduct prohibited under RCW 9A.42.100. The fact that siblings share a bedroom is not, in and of itself, negligent treatment or maltreatment.