In texas how old does a child have to be to stay home alone?

Question

Chantelle C states 11. I have a 9 and 11 year old. We live with my parents who are going out of town for 3 weeks. I don't get home from work until 6:30 in the evening. My children will be getting a ride home from a neighbor who has kids in the same school then going home. There are 2 neighbors they can call for anything and my sister will be stopping by on her way home from work to check on them. Basically they'll be home from 3:15 until 4:15 and then 4:30 or so until 6:30. Am I breaking any laws?

Answer 1

11 years old by law

Answer 2

Taken from Department of Family Services for Texas

Supervision of children is basic to the prevention of harm. Adequate supervision means an adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care.  Although, there is no Texas law that defines a specific age at which a child may be left home alone, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how closely to supervise a child, including:

the age, emotional maturity and capability of the child;

layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting;

neighborhood circumstances, hazards, and risks;

the child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies; and

whether the child has a mental, physical, or medical disability.

The number of children left unsupervised, the accessibility to other responsible adults, the length of time or frequency with which the child is left alone, and the child's knowledge of the parent's whereabouts are additional relevant factors.

Answer 3

i think that it really up to the parents, but i no that in my family, we had to be 12. or in sixth grade, whichever came first

Answer 4

Illinois says EXACTLY the same thing that pandabear said, with the "depending on" factors. I was talking to a cop the other day and asked him and he said that  they are allowed to stay home when they are "legally allowed to get into trouble with the law", so he said 11.

I do leave my 8 year old home for short trips- dropping off movies at the store, getting milk from 7-11, etc