If it's not already, summer vacation will soon be over for Georgia families. That means back to school for the next year of learning. But once classes are dismissed, do parents need to make sure an adult is at home to meet the kids after they get off the bus? Here's what we know
What’s the legal age to leave a child home alone in Georgia?
Georgia doesn't have a specific law dictating what age children must reach before being left home alone. However, there's a section of Georgia Department of Human Service's Child Welfare Policy Manual that provides some guidance.
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Chapter 14's section on "Supervision of Older Youth" says "reliable and competent youth" ages 14 and older may be left to their own supervision for short periods of time, and they may even benefit from that
sense of responsibility, independence, and self-control. However, there are several factors to consider such as:
- The child's judgement and maturity level.
- The safety of the home's environment.
- How many children are in the home and their relationships with each other.
- The child's ability to contact their parent or another responsible adult if necessary.
- The child's demonstration of dependability, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Is leaving a child home alone considered neglect in Georgia?
Zimmerman & Associates based in Norcross says a parent could face charges of child abuse and neglect for leaving a child home alone in a situation that placed the child in danger. For example, if a parent left a kid home alone for an extended period of time and didn't have any food to eat, that could be considered neglect because they'd have no way of getting food. If an older child was left home alone but had disabilities that left them unable to care for themselves, that could also be considered abuse or neglect.
Under Georgia law, "neglect" is classified as any of the following:
- The failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for a child's physical, mental, or emotional health or morals.
- The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such child's well-being.
- The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
What is the penalty for child neglect in Georgia?
Neglect is considered a form of child abuse under state law. The penalties for child abuse vary depending on the circumstances, but can range from a misdemeanor to a felony with up to 20 years in prison.
Is leaving a child home alone considered abandonment in Georgia?
Leaving a child home alone can be considered "abandonment" under Georgia. Specifically, under Georgia Code § 19-7-5, "Being absent from the home of his or her child for a period of time that creates a substantial risk of serious harm to a child left in the home."
What is the penalty for child abandonment in Georgia?
Under Georgia Code § 19-10-1, any parent who willfully abandons their child, leaving the child in a dependent condition, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. If in this situation the parent has left the state, the penalty may be upgraded to a felony punishable 1-3 years.
How to decide if your child is ready to be left home alone
In addition to what's in the state's child welfare manual, the American Academy of Pediatrics has guidance, saying most children will not be mature enough to manage being alone on a regular basis until around age 10 or 11. Parents should also consider:
- Caution: Does the child think before they act? How do they respond to peer pressure?
- Comfort: Would the child feel comfortable being left alone? Have they been asked this directly?
- Common sense: Would the child be able to make good judgements on their own?
- Interests: Can the child keep busy without relying on TV or video games?
- Safety: Can the child remember and follow important safety rules?
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: At what age can kids be at home alone after school in Georgia?
