Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Missouri

Missouri does nto have a set age that a child can be at home alone. Your local Chidl protective servcies (DFS) may have guidlines for what they fidn acceptqable. Generally, it is figured by the courts as a totality of the facts, when deterining if aparent was negligent or reckless in oleaving achidl home alone. There are many ten year olds that get off the school but,a nd are hoem alone for several hours while theri parents are still at work. If you Son, convinces you that he is responsible, knows how to contact the Police/Fire depts in case opf an emergency,a nd has a truste dnerighbor or relative they can go to, if needed, that a court would not likely find you to have been derelict in your duties as a parent.

As a parent of foru kids, i suggest you do atest run. If he meets the criteria above. (knows whe to do or where to go in an emergency) and you decide to let hiom try, tell him you will be gone for about a half hour. Then return ij nten minutes asquietly as you can. You will fidn out if he has friends over, or is doing something youwoudl nto otherwise approve of him doing, if you were there. If he is doing his homework, or watching something you would already allow him to watch on TV, you knwo you cna probably trust him for longetr periods. But, you may find him scared. Many kids think they have no problem being home alone, but they freak out when the furnace kicks on or the house makes other noises. .

Us your best judgment and Good luck