|
 Chicagoland’s Christmas classic, “Home Alone,” is fictional, but anyone in
Illinois who makes the movie plot come to life could face real consequences.
State law considers it neglect or abuse when “any minor under the age of 14
years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor’s welfare leaves
the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard
for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor.”
The Hollywood magic left out the fact that the McAllisters could’ve been
arrested for forgetting their son Kevin.
However, the law doesn’t define “an unreasonable period of time.” Is an hour
unreasonable? Two hours? It’s completely up to the interpretation of government
employees, opening up potential to abuse the rule.
Wilmette mother Corey Widen knows it all too well. In 2018, she let her
8-year-old daughter, Dorothy, walk their dog, Marshmallow, around the block. A
neighbor noticed her walking alone and called the police, who saw no grounds for
negligence.
[to top of second column] |
But the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation.
After enough scrutiny and uncertainty to leave mother and daughter
traumatized, DCFS dropped the case.
Illinois’ law is the strictest in the nation. The highest age for a
child to be left alone in other states is 12, and 30 states don’t
have any age restrictions on leaving kids at home. Illinois parents
can temporarily lose custody simply on allegations.
The question is, should
state lawmakers set a statewide standard or should parents decide
when their children are mature enough to stay home alone?
Lawmakers took notice after Widen’s incident. The Illinois House
unanimously passed a bill lowering the age from 14 to 12, but the
bill never reached the Senate floor. The age remains 14.
Supervision is important, but letting a child walk her dog or play
in her neighborhood should never be labeled as negligence. |
