This was posted elsewhere leaving a minor unattended Is it illegal to leave a minor (15 y.o.) alone and in charge of her house for a few weeks?? I am going on vacation and am letting her stay at home because she has school and is definitely responsible enough. However, her father (who doesn't want me to go on vacation and lives in another city) is threatening that he may call social services if I am "not careful". Am I not allowed to leave my child alone in our own house? I live in Ontario and I thought since you can babysit at age 13 or so then you can stay in your house by yourself but I don't want to risk it if she is going to be taken to social services!!! and I am just wondering if anyone knows what the deal is in Ontario? In regards to the law and that that is, not whether you think it is right or wrong...though that is interesting too.
I have no idea what the law says, I'm sure there are different laws for different places. a few weeks, IMO, is way too long to leave a 15yo alone, and doesn't even come close to comparing to being allowed to babysit for a few hours. A few nights is probably okay, but totally depends on the maturity level of the girl in question. With an ex-husband who may or may not call CPS, it would be a really stupid move on mom's part to not have some (female) adult there at least at night with the kid.
Like Boogiemama, I don't know what the law says in Ontario. But, a "few weeks" is way too long for a child this young to be alone or with smaller children. In some places, it may be allowable overnight, but not for weeks. I wouldn't even leave my 20 and 18 year olds alone this long. While in charge of smalller ones, I'd say one night is enough. A few months ago, Bear and I finally got our weekend alone. We went to Wisconsin (less then 100 miles away.) but Sage only stayed with the teens for ONE night, and with my dad for the second night. I thought two nights and nearly 3 days with Sage was too much for even 2 girls and a boy. I know in my state it is decided on a case by case decision. But, in some states, more than a certain period of time is considered "Abandonment." What will she do for food? What if she runs out of money? What if she gets sick? What if she simply gets scared? I know I would have been terrified to stay alone at this age, for more than one night. (my parents never left me overnight until I was 18.) You might want to call your local Child Protective Services and see what they say. But, logically, I think even a "mature" 15 year old shouldn't be left alone this long.
Man, I would have -loved- to have had the house to myself for days on end at that age. But I loved being alone, was very independent and responsible. Best bet is to call someone involved with the law and ask. If nothing else, could you get a family friend to stop by every day for a little while to check in and make sure everything is going well? I'm assuming you'd have daily or near-daily communication with her planned to make sure that everything is well too, but having someone come by the house who has a key (or knows where the spare is) just in case something happens ie an accident that knocks her out and unable to answer the phone or respond to an email). Call it house-sitting but the house has an occupant still to also check on.
Here is some legal definitions of Neglect. Not all are applicable, but I didn't want to edit the data. Like I said, I am well aware that most of these are not applicable, specific ages are not mentioned, but every judge is different. One judge may think 11 is fine to leave over night, an other may think a 17 year old shouldn't be alone for more than a few hours. You have the luck of the draw if anyone calls CPS This is from the USA Department Of Child Welfare I imagine the laws in Canada are not different by a lot of details
thanks for the responses guys. I am posting them to the original post in the place wher I found it. stephanie
