What is the legal age a child can be left home alone in Indiana?

Legal Age

There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages, but many state agencies have published guidelines (Georgia, Illinois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with very specific ages). Typically 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work).

12 years old appears to be the most common recommendation. http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm provides a state by state comparison.

Answer

Any mentally normal child under 7 years cannot be left alone for any amount of time. Children older than that can be left for a range of 2 - 24 depending on age.

Answer

I think the previous response and question need clarification. I can't imagine my child being 14 years old, and not allowing her to stay home alone. Most baby sitters I know start baby sitting at 12 or 13.

Answer

For children with normal mental capabilities: Ages 7 and under cannot be left alone for any period of time. Children ages 8 through 9 can be left in their home alone for up to 2 hours. Children 10 through 13 can be left alone for up to 12 hours. Children 14 to 17 can be left at home up to 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision (an adult willing to take legal responsibility preferably within 5 miles). For children that are mentally handicapped you have to go by their maturity age and not their chronological age.

Answer

I disagree with the ages listed above and believe that Indiana Child Welfare would also. Ages below 8 should not be alone period. Ages 9 - 10 should not be alone longer than 30 minutes. Ages 11 - 12 should not be alone longer than 3-4 hours. Ages 13 - 15 should not be alone longer than 8 hours. Ages 16 - 17 should not be left alone longer than 12 hours. All this being said, there actually is NO LAW as to the proper or legal age of a child being left alone in Indiana. BUT there are things to consider however that could cause problems of a legal nature regarding Child Protection Services and need to be addressed for the safety of child and parent:

• Will the child have access to a telephone in case of emergency?
• Does the child know to dail 9-1-1 in an emergency?
• What constitutes an emergency to warrant calling 9-1-1?
• How long will the parents be gone, leaving the child alone thus subjecting the child to neglect?
• Is there proper food in the house?
• Does the house contain health hazzards? (ie: exposed wiring, falling ceiling tiles or plaster, broken steps, broken windows, etc...)
• Are there firearms in the home the child could access dangerously?
• Are there lighters the child might obtain and start a fire?
• Is there running water in the home?

All of these issues are ones that the child protection agencies would be considering if a neighbor or interested party were to call in a neglect charge for the child being at home alone.

Leaving a sheet of chores or tasks to take care of and to occupy the child's interest and lessen the chance of mishap is always a good idea. Items that can be left on the sheet are things such as cleaning the child's room, drawing the parent a picture of what the school day was like or what they hope it to be like if they haven't gone yet, and watching television. Never allow a young child to clean dishes that would include sharp edges or sharp knives or cooking while they are unattended and below the age of 12.