Curious about this

[Cookiemiller]

Jurisdiction

New York

Is it legal for my neighbors boy about 10 and their daughter about 8 to share a small bedroom and to be left home alone ?

 

[adjusterjack]

Yes, it's legal.

 

[txls]

Sharing he bed is okay. Not sure about staying home alone. The age may vary by state.

 

[adjusterjack]

NY apparently has no statutes addressing the issue as none have been mentioned in the following articles:

New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/nyregion/14alone.html

Home Alone - Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.

What is the legal age a child can be left home alone in New York

Parents must weight a variety of factors and considerations as I did when my kids were young.

Like the poster's neighbor my son was 10 and my daughter was 8 when they started staying home alone after school for several hours until we got home. Worked out fine and we were able to leave them home for longer periods as well.

 

[Betty3]

Probably/maybe the one bedroom is all they can afford - not illegal to have the kids share.

Re leaving the kids alone at 10 & 8, the parents have to decide based on various considerations.

 

[army judge]

Is it legal for my neighbors boy about 10 and their daughter about 8 to share a small bedroom and to be left home alone ?

The agency to ask about the welfare of children in NY is The NY State Office of Children and Family Services:


New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

If you believe any adult or child to be in a dangerous or harmful predicament, call "911" and report the emergency to the proper police agency.