At what age is it legal for a child to be left home alone?
As far as we have been able to determine, the law has (perhaps wisely) left this question open. That does not mean that children don’t need adequate supervision. Several counties have posted their guidelines for what constitutes adequate supervision. See Dakota County and the Screening Criteria booklet from Ramsey County available at http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hs/fostercare/ChildProtectionScreening.htm. For a practical discussion of the topic see the Children Youth and Family Consortium of the University of Minnesota’s page at: http://www.cyfc.umn.edu/publications/newsreleases/7-24-02nr.html. [Return to Top of Page] • What is a CHIPS hearing? Generally speaking CHIPS (Child In need of Protective Services) actions involve the health, safety and welfare of children. The termination of parental rights can be a result of a CHIPS hearing. The Self-Help Center has an information page at http://www.mncourts.gov/servicedesk/?page=3234.The Eighth District also has a page. These are court procee
