What age must a child be in pennsylvania to be left home alone overnight?

Question

What age must a child be to be left at home alone overnight?

Answer 1

The legal check is whether or not the child is safe and has the ability to take care of themselves.

Most authorities agree that leaving a 12 year old alone at home for an hour or two is acceptable, but they should not be responsible for other children.

I have heard many stories of parents that think their 10-11 year olds are old enough and can take care of themselves for an hour or two but if the police find out you could lose your kids.

Answer 2

you should never leave any kid at home under the age of 16 theres to many freaks around now a days

Answer 3

I am not sure about pennsylvania but in OKLAHOMA there is no law it depends on how mature the child is...

Answer 4

In most states it is thirteen you may want to research it though because it can vary.

Answer 5

Regardless of the law, I think a parent knows whether his/her child is responsible enough to be left alone.  If the law says 11, that child may not be ready for that until 13.

Answer 6

I don't know if a child has to be a specific age but i was left home alona when i was 12 and freaked out because even one night holds a lot of responsibilty and it is not the greatest feeling being alone at night even years ago so i would say even if you do figure out if they can be left home alone try  being very close the first time you let them spend the night alone for that just in case it freaks them out.

Answer 7

I think the first time I was home without my parents, I was 13 and my younger brother was 8.  I would have been nervous about the folks not being there, but I felt safer because we had a Doberman . . . .

When a kid is ready for that responsibility/freedom is going to depend on the kid, the living arrangement (home in the country vs. apartment in a bad area), etc.

Definitely, no kid should be left alone overnight unless the kid can be trusted at home alone all day.