Need to Leave Your Child Home Alone in Missouri? It’s Complicated

It is true that there are no statutes ruling what age you can leave your child home alone in Missouri, but that does not mean you can't get in big trouble if you're not careful. The question and answer of what decides if a child in Missouri is safe by themselves at home is complicated.

I've said it before, but it's important to say again that I am not a lawyer and certainly not an expert parent. I've failed more often than I would like to admit. So, I'm not judging what your situation is. I know there are some parents especially those that are single, but trying to make ends meet that sometimes need to leave their kids home by themselves.

Missouri is famous for having no statute that says what the legal age is for a child to be left home alone, but you can still get yourself in a mess of trouble. The Missouri Department of Social Services says that while there are no legal age guidelines or laws, they do receive reports of children between the age of 8 and 12 being left home alone which will lead to a face-to-face home safety check within 3 hours.

That could result in a case being opened against you if the authorities find that your child is living in an unsafe situation. The questions that Missouri Department of Social Services says will be asked include if your child says they feel comfortable and safe and whether they're capable of fixing food for themselves. If the conclusion is that your child is not being left in a safe condition, your life could get very complicated.

It appears to me (just my opinion based on what Missouri has shared) that the state is "suggesting" a minimum age of 12 with come exceptions between the age of 8 and 12. If leaving your child home alone is a reality you can't avoid, make sure to check Missouri's guide for making sure you're doing it safely.