Legal Question in Family Law in New Mexico

Re: At what ages can a child stay home alone or babysit alone?

The question you ask is not set or addressed directly in NM state law. If is addressed at all it will be addressed by your city code. About 10 years ago the Albuquerque the city code "suggested" age 11 as the minimal age for a child to babysit other children. Always bear in mind that if a parent leaves a child in charge of other children and something happens (be it on purpose or accident) the parent leaving the child in the charge of another child could be the parent who possibly could be charged with negligent behavior or child endangerment. So, neither you nor your child would be facing criminal or child endangerment charges but the parent who asked your child to babysit could be the one who has to deal with the law enforcement authorities. Of course, (it is my opinion that) it is not usually children who have a babysitter who get into trouble, it is usually children left home alone with no one watching them.

Call your city attorney or your county attorney and ask these questions of them. You'll get better answers for your local area.

Good luck.