Society today looks very different from what it did a generation ago. Many of us have memories of being left alone at a young age, letting ourselves into our homes after school or watching siblings while our parents ran errands.
While we may have felt perfectly safe back then, today the state of Connecticut recognizes the risks of leaving young children unsupervised. If you are wondering at what age a child can be left alone in CT, keep reading to discover the answer, and contact Mark Sherman Law to speak to an attorney about the laws that apply.
Connecticut Law does not specify how old a child must be to be responsible enough to be left home alone. While the Department of Children and Families (DCF) generally leaves it up to the parent’s judgement, they recommend that no child under the age of 12 be left alone at home. Children under that threshold are rarely mature enough to manage without adult supervision, particularly for long periods of time. Moreover, if you plan to leave your child home alone overnight, wait until they are at least 15 years old, and set clear rules for them to follow.
Many children are involved in a variety of activities and have a thriving social life. So, what if your 10-year-old wants you to drop them off at the mall for a couple of hours unattended to hang out with friends? We strongly suggest avoiding circumstances such as this, as it does more than merely put your children at risk. It is illegal in Connecticut to leave a child under 12 alone in a public place. Dangerous situations are everywhere, and you do not want your child to become a victim of a crime.
No, leaving children alone in a car in Connecticut may trigger a DCF investigation. t. This practice is both dangerous and illegal for children under 12. For example, a child left alone in a car on a hot day may cause the child heat stroke, as the temperatures inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes. If a child is left alone in cold temperatures, the child may develop hypothermia, as their small bodies cannot produce enough heat to keep them warm long enough. In addition, if the vehicle is running, children may be exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning, which may be fatal.
We hope that this blog has shed some light on the potential dangers of leaving children unattended, especially if they are under the age of 12. If DCF has contacted you because you left your young children unsupervised, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced attorney quickly.
Enjoy the confidence of working with a law firm that has a former DCF investigator on staff to help you navigate the emotional and complex process of an investigation. Call Mark Sherman Law to schedule a consultation, then click here to view our Avvo profile with hundreds of certified reviews from previous clients.
