January 26, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Recently a Livermore couple went to Las Vegas, leaving their 10-year-old alone in charge of their 5-year-old autistic child for several days. They were arrested upon their return. The father was sentenced to five years and the stepmother to 18 months in jail. At what age do you think children are old enough to be left alone?
(Asked at Almaden Oaks Plaza)


“Different children mature at different rates and there are too many factors involved for a simple answer to this question. I think children can be left alone for a few hours at age 12 while their parents go to the store. But I don’t think they should be left alone for extended periods of days until they are 18. My girls were very responsible, but we never left them alone overnight, we could have, but we never did. There should be a license for people that want to be parents!”

Ron Gossner, 57
Almaden
Part time electrical apprentice teacher


“I heard the same thing on the news [about the kids in Livermore]. I think kids can be left alone at 12 or 13 years old depending on the individual child. But someone could be 10 and be more responsible than someone who is 15.”

Andy Davis, 44
Almaden
Tire and automobile


“I have a day care license and I think that legally it’s 14. I was horrified by that [situation in Livermore]. I’ve known parents who asked me to take home their 9-year-old to an empty house, which I could not do legally. Her [high school aged] brother was supposed to be there but the child said he wasn’t usually home. Depending on how responsible the child is, I think at 12 or 13 you can leave them alone for about 40 minutes.”

Cindy Chesley, 51
San Jose
Owner, Almaden Pure Water


“I can’t believe parents would leave their children like that! I don’t think I’d let Adam [her 19-month old son] stay alone before he was 12 or 13, and then just for a couple of hours. Children who are 15 and can prove they can handle the situation, maybe, but it depends on the individual child. Ten years is too young, I can’t fathom leaving a 10-year-old in charge, especially of an autistic child.”

Ardee Wright, 23
Almaden
Works at Almaden Pure Water


“I think it depends on the child. At age 12, you can leave them for one to two hours, two at the most. But I definitely would not leave them overnight until 18. It’s amazing what some parents do.”

Linda Lamont, 54
Almaden
Child care manager, Club One


“I’d say no younger than 12, but six hours tops—working time for the parents. As for overnight alone, I think 16 is the youngest for that responsibility.”

Mary Clark, 16
Almaden
Sophomore at Leland


“It depends on the child because the maturity level can vary. I think that children at age 12 can be left for 30 minutes during the day, but not in charge of other children. They need to be mature enough to know who and what to call during an emergency. As for overnight alone, it depends on the child, but probably 16.”

Monica Cardiff, 48
Almaden
Homemaker and home school teacher


“Mine were 12 when I left them alone and only for hours at a time. I think children can be left alone overnight at 14 or 15, but not at 12 and 13.”

Bill Burbank, 79
Almaden
Retired


“That’s a difficult question. I would say it’s OK to leave them alone for a couple of hours at 12. Overnight depends on the responsibility of the child when he or she gets to high school. It’s a very individual decision that depends entirely on the child. ”

Miracle Masl, 28
Almaden
Waitress