Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
is it legal to leave 4 children at home alone overnight in texas? ages are 4 and11 for the girls. the boys are 16 and 13
1 Answer from Attorneys
There is no actual set age. It depends on all the circumstances surrounding the incident. The ages of the kids, if they are able to prepare food and/or feed themselves, if there is food there, is the environment safe for kids, are the older kids caring for the younger, is anyone coming by to check on them, is there heating and cooling, is the house a clean environment, is there running water, is there places for them to sleep, etc. No one factor is really controlling, but all factors put together should be looked at.
In the best case scenario, if the 16 year old is a responsible teen that feeds the younger ones, cleans when needed, appropriately supervises, keeps the doors locked, puts them to bed, etc., then there is probably no problem. If it is the opposite scenario, the authorities need to be notified.