Answer by
patti (29325)
There is no legal age. Parents are expected to use good judgment when leaving small children in the care of someone. A mature 14- or 15-year old could easily care for toddlers, or even a baby, he s/he has experience perhaps with a younger sibling. If parents left an infant, say, with a 9-year old, CPS could be notified.
I know that my 15 year old is more than mature and capable enough to take care of my 5 year old. She has been taking care of her since she was 12, and the baby was 3. But now, I had someone threatening to call the police on me for leaving the 5 yr old in the care of the 15 yr old while I work.
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A 15-year-old is old enough to be a mother, and plenty old enough to care for a 5-year old. We left our kids (ages 1 year to 5) in the care of a 13-yo babysitter ... with no qualms about it. She sat our kids until she went to college. add a comment