Is it illegal to leave a minor home alone for 2 weeks while the parent goes on

[Vanessa]

vacation to another country? My brother in law is leaving my 17 year old nephew home alone soon because he's going on vacation to Mexico. My nephew refuses to go with him because he will get the house all to himself.

He left him this October too and his 16 year old girlfriend slept at his house. When we visited him he wrote on his Facebook that his family was nosy and he officially had no family.

My sister passed away almost 3 years ago and my brother in law recently kicked my 19 year old nephew out of the house because his dad told him that if he didn't like his brother's girlfriend staying over then he could leave the house. He is now living with me. His dad even changed all the doorknobs so he would not be able to go in the house.

That was pretty much the last straw for my family and we are thinking about calling the police when my brother in law leaves my nephew home alone.

We live in Illinois.

What would police do? Would they do something about his girlfriend?
Forgot to say that his girlfriends parents don't care. She lives with her drunk dad because her mom kicked her out of her house because she was rebellious.
They are having sex. He tells his friends about it and even his dad told my sister that he heard them one time and he didn't do anything about it.

 

[Rick]

Its probably not illegal.

For gods sake the 17 year old could be in the Army and fighting in Iraq!

Calling the police will do nothing and make you guys look foolish.

 

[JamesM]

Well I live in Birtain, so not sure exactly, but over here, the legal age to be left at home for one day is 14, the legal age for longer is 18. Over here a fine is the most likely punishment, or maybe a social worker monitoring the parent for the next few weeks/months/possibly even years depending on how long child was left for.

 

[itsjustme]

Best bet would be to contact his girlfriends parents and inform them of the oings on in the house. I doubt the police would do anything since the boy is 17 and quite capable of taking care of himself.

 

[JamesWitoker]

they couldn't do anything about his girlfriend but leaving a minor alone for so long can be filed as neglectful parenting. my suggestion is either have a family member house sit and talk to your brother in law because what he's doing is dangerous towards a child's future, his girlfriend could possibly become pregnant (with the possibility of STDs as well) if they have been having intercourse. but all in all it just sounds like your brother in law is being an irresponsible parent and an immature jerk as well.

 

[carmac]

Actually there is no problem leaving a 17 year old alone, but if he is having sex with a girl under 18 there is a problem, should her parents want to make trouble, but if her parents allow this, there is nothing anyone can do.

 

[highasa_kite12]

What? No it's not. If the minor can feed themselves, get themselves to school and do all the things they need to by themselves then yes it is legal. Especially when they're already less than a year away from not even being a minor.

 

[Mimisita1989]

I don't think they would do anything to him cuz he is old enough to take care of himself. The house is private property so they can't go in without probable cause or a warrant. The girl friend is 16 and he 17 so they are both minors so they can't get in trouble.

Just let it go your bother in law will regret leaving him. You know he won't behave. Don't worry and try to help your other nephew cuz he needs you. Losing your mom so young is really sad.

 

[Mecala]

Yes, it's illegal.

 

[Thetruthhurts1]

You'd need to check your state laws -some allow minors home alone for extended periods at 16... after all at 17 he's almost an adult and will soon be theoretically capable of learning to provide for himself.

You may be able to get basic information on the laws from your local CPS agency.

 

[ladyquesteur]

Perhaps you should speak to the Police and/or Child Protective Services to arrange for them to do an occasional "welfare check". He may be legally old enough to be left alone, but having sex with a minor could get him a sex charge and if he does drugs or drinks then he could wind up in the juvenile criminal system.

Sounds like the parent is negligent by not arranging proper supervision for his teen while away.... he is still a minor and complications can arise. "Dad" would deserve all liability and charges for such irresponsibility and selfishness!

 

[KarinaA1]

You should consider the situation thoroughly, if you call the police, he could be taken away and you would not be solving the problem of him not being well cared for, he is a teenager so he is old enough to be alone for a few weeks, maybe just check up on him, and call to make sure he is okay and doesn't need anything, you probably should not doing anything rash, or else risk facing the ramifications. good luck

 

[Penn]

At 17, he's old enough to take care of himself, so you'd be wasting your time by calling the police. If you're concerned about his girlfriend, call her parents.