12-03-2009, 07:48 PM
Again, maybe I don't get out much, but we have four kids and leave the oldest (a teenager) frequently to keep an eye on them, help them get in from school, etc. There have been a few situations where we missed the train or something and couldn't get home in time. My teenager is old enough to troubleshoot, call the neighbor, call our folks, etc. There have even been cases where (gasp), we cannot contact them by phone... and believe it or not, they are OK. I'm not sure how we all survived back in the 70's and 80's without our constant cell phone contact...
An 18 year-old? I have 18 year-old patients who already have 2 kids. In Illinois, a 14 year-old is considered (by law) old enough to be in charge of younger children. DCFS? C'mon. I only call DFCS when I see physical abuse to a child or if I have a child who claims they are being threatened. I can only imagine the call I would make, "Uh, I have a kid, left in the care of an 18 year-old by their parents." They would have a good laugh over that one.
Other than using some poor judgement about where they could or should drive, I still don't see the crime they committed.
An 18 year-old? I have 18 year-old patients who already have 2 kids. In Illinois, a 14 year-old is considered (by law) old enough to be in charge of younger children. DCFS? C'mon. I only call DFCS when I see physical abuse to a child or if I have a child who claims they are being threatened. I can only imagine the call I would make, "Uh, I have a kid, left in the care of an 18 year-old by their parents." They would have a good laugh over that one.
Other than using some poor judgement about where they could or should drive, I still don't see the crime they committed.