Child Abuse Prevention Month: Under 8? Don't Leave Your Child at Home

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Washington County Child Protection Citizen Review Panel is providing some important information regarding child care arrangements to promote the idea that “It’s not Safe for Kids Under Eight.” 

While it is recognized that most parents want to keep their children safe, in these trying financial times, parents are often forced to make many changes concerning child care arrangements.

Law enforcement and child protection services across the state frequently receive phone calls requesting information on how old children must be to be left home alone, or to babysit other children.

In Washington County, follows these helpful guidelines to assist parents in their decision making:

Child neglect reports alleging inadequate supervision may be accepted for a child protection response, including:

• children age 7 and younger who are left alone for any period of time;
• children ages 8-10 who are left alone for more than three hours;
• children ages 11-13 who are left alone for more than 12 hours;
• children ages 14-15 who are left alone for more than 24 hours;
• children ages 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place concerning how to respond to an emergency.

Neglect reports alleging inadequate child care arrangements may be accepted for a child protection response according to the following guidelines:

• children younger than age 11 should not provide child care (babysitting);
• children ages 11-15 who are placed in a child care role are subject to the same time restrictions of being left alone as listed above;
• children ages 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision.

These supervision guidelines are provided as a basic framework only. Each case is evaluated individually based on age and the ability of the child to respond appropriately in both routine and emergency situations.

Child abuse or neglect reports, or questions regarding these guidelines, can be referred to Washington County Child Protection Intake at 651-430-6457.

—Column courtesy of Washington County Child Protection Citizen Review Panel members Melissa Charley and Aine Bebeau.