It is a moment many parents will recognize. The kids are asleep in the back seat, and you just need to go into the store for a moment to pay for gas. While they may be fine for the short time you are gone, you might wonder: Is it illegal to leave your kids in the car in Connecticut?
In this blog, the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Sherman address this often misunderstood question. Keep reading to learn whether this practice is acceptable according to state law.
The age of your child is an essential factor in determining whether leaving them in the car is legal. In Connecticut, it is a crime to leave a child under 12 alone in a vehicle, especially at night. The longer they are alone in the car, the greater the risk of harm to the child.
Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21a applies to parents, guardians, or anyone in control of a child under 12 years old, such as a babysitter. If you leave a child unsupervised in a car, you may be charged with a class A misdemeanor. This crime carries a potential jail sentence of up to 1 year, a maximum fine of $2,000, or both.
Moreover, if you knowingly leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., that charge may be upgraded to a class C felony. In that case, the punishment may include a 10-year prison sentence, as well as a $10,000 fine.
Yes. An arrest for leaving a child unsupervised in a vehicle is a violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-21a., which will very likely trigger a Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation. DCF must examine all reported cases of child endangerment, which includes neglect, and leaving your kids in the car in Connecticut may be seen as neglect. Once DCF is involved, a departmental agent may recommend a home visit (sometimes unannounced) or even seek to remove the children from their home in the most severe cases.
If you are being accused of illegally leaving young children alone in the car in Connecticut, contact our office immediately to discuss your legal options. We are the only law firm of our kind to have a former DCF investigator on staff. With that kind of firsthand experience, you can be confident that we will take good care of your family.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Mark Sherman Law today for the answers you need to protect your family’s interests. Take a moment to browse our Avvo profile and see more than 300 certified reviews from our satisfied clients.
