February 3, 2005

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

A Livermore couple went to Las Vegas over the New Years holiday leaving their 10-year old son alone for five days in charge of their 5-year old autistic son. They were arrested upon their return. The father was sentenced to five years in prison and the stepmother to 18 months. How do you feel about the sentence and how old do you think children should be to be left alone and for what period of time? (Asked at San Tomas Plaza)

“I’m sure the sentence is based on the case. A lot could happen while parents are gone and a 10-year old is not old enough to take care of a 5-year old. I think that children can stay alone for an evening around 14. It really depends on the child and his relationship to attention span. If I was gone for five days, I’d want an adult to watch my kids. I don’t know that I’d want to leave a child that’s over 14 alone, there’s too many hormones.”

Mike Lodes, 53
Sunnyvale
Recently sold tree business

“I think the sentence is appropriate. It’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of their children. A 10-year old is not capable of dealing with any emergency that might happen with a 5-year old autistic child. I also think it’s one of those issues that the courts find difficult because it’s basically an individual decision and depends on the child. In my opinion, I think a child in eighth grade, who’s 13, can stay alone for a couple of hours. Overnight, I think a teenager of 16 should be okay but it really depends on the child. ”

Lynn DeMay, 48
Campbell
Owner of All Things Printed


“I think 12 years old is the age allowed by law, but even at 12 they don’t possess the judgement to protect themselves or that’s necessary to care for another child in an emergency situation. What that couple did was outrageous. But I think the sentence was a little severe if they took the kids away. It does send a strong message that the courts won’t tolerate that kind of neglect or callous disregard for children. As for staying alone, I think 16 is an adequate age, when they get their drivers’ license, to allow them to be alone overnight. At that point they can take care of themselves. You can leave them alone for a couple of hours when they are 12 to 14.”

Carol Yeakel, 31
Campbell
Student at DeAnza College


“I have grown kids. I left them home for an hour after they turned 12. There was [another] awful case several years ago where the parents left two little girls alone. I think the parents should be put in jail. I first let my boys stay home alone overnight when they were 17 to18.”

Cindy Pearson, 48
Campbell
Homemaker/volunteer


“First of all, I think if the father got five years, the stepmother should get the same. I think kids could be left alone for a couple of nights at 16, but I stayed home with my kids most nights. I used to drive a school bus with autistic and special Ed kids. They need full time care. It’s very hard. Even at 15-16 years, I don’t think a child could handle an autistic child because they need attention all the time.”

Arliss Garcia, 68
Campbell
Retired


“I think the sentences are fair. It depends on the circumstances, where the children are going to live. If they are living with their grandparents or other family then it’s definitely fair. The age to leave kids home overnight actually depends on the children. Some can be left at 18, some at 16. Mostly it depends on the child and their level of responsibility. Children at 14 can be left for a couple of hours. It also depends on where you live. If you live in a good neighborhood with lots of good neighbors and everyone knows everyone else, then it’s okay because you can ask your neighbors to look out for the kids.”

Scott Roberts, 50
Campbell
Retired


“I think the sentence was good, I thought they were just going to get a slap on the wrist. I’d say children can stay alone for short periods of time at 12 or 13, but I think they should be 18 to stay alone overnight with no supervision whatsoever.”

Fran Alvares, 70
Almaden
Works at Almaden Pure Water


“I think the sentence is way too hard, it’s ridiculously hard to be separating the father from his kids. I think a very hard community service sentence would be more appropriate, but you shouldn’t separate the father from his children. I think you can leave a child alone for a couple of hours by the time he is 10-12 years old, I think children can stay home along for a week when they are 16, if they aren’t ‘party kids’ and you know they’ll be safe.”

Stacey Dier, 44
Campbell/Saratoga border
Licensing coordinator