When Can I Begin to Leave My Child Home Alone?

January 26th, 2021 by Tiffany Hughes

Depending on the circumstances of your family and the maturity of your child, when your child reaches a certain age you may begin to consider the possibility of leaving your child home alone. In the State of Illinois, any parent who leaves a child who is age 13 or younger home alone can be found guilty of neglect. However, once your child is 14 years old, you and the other parent can begin to leave your child home alone for reasonable limited periods of time. While it is possible that leaving a child home alone may seem like a bad thing, studies show that leaving a child home alone for limited periods of time can help them develop independence and can even give them confidence in their own abilities. However, as a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your child is developmentally ready to be able to stay home alone.

What Is A Reasonable Period of Time?

If you are thinking of leaving your child at home (who is older than 14 years of age), you need to take into account your child’s maturity and development. The State of Illinois does not define what a reasonable period of time is, as this varies from child to child and may depend on the circumstances of each family. To best protect yourself and your child, you should only leave your child at home alone for a very minimum amount of time. It is also important to have all safeguards established prior to leaving your child alone in the home, such as access to you and the other parent at all times. Studies have shown that when you are considering leaving your child home alone, to slowly increase the time the child is alone and evaluate all of the circumstances before increasing the time the child is alone in the home. The Courts in Illinois review the circumstances to determine on a case by cases basis what is in the best interest of the child and what is concerned endangerment.

Concerns About the Other Parent Leaving Your Child Home Alone

If you are concerned the other parent is leaving your child at home alone during their parenting time, you should contact The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes today to discuss your legal options. Depending on the circumstances, your child could be in danger and we can help you seek immediate court intervention. The other parent can still be charged with neglect if they leave your minor child, at any age, home alone for an unreasonable period of time, or if the other parent leaves a child younger than 14 years of age home alone for any period of time. You may be able to prove that the other parent is endangering your child, which could result in a temporary and/or permanent change of your current parenting time schedule, reduction of the other parent’s parenting time, or even supervised visits with the other parent who left the child alone.

Call Us Today

For more information on how the family law Attorneys at The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. can help ensure your child’s welfare and safety, and help you seek immediate court intervention in Cook, Will, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane and surrounding counties, contact us to schedule your complementary consultation today at 773-893-0228.

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This blog is made available by The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of Illinois law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C.. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in Illinois.  The law changes constantly and we do not go back in time to edit old posts that may be affected by these changes.  If you have any questions about Illinois law, which is the only State this blog and website discusses, please call The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for a free consultation and do not draw any legal conclusions without speaking to a competent attorney in Illinois first.