Is there a law in MD about kids being outside without a parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it's a rule in moco. Children under 8 must have someone 13 or older with them.

No, it’s a MARYLAND law.

http://dhs.maryland.gov/documents/Child%20Protective%20Services/Brochures/Unattended-Childre-Brochure-2016.pdf

These children were not unattended. That law is not applicable.

Mom was inside and did not come out, while this man made numerous passes back and forth. The 10 year old isn’t old enough to qualify as a babysitter yet. He could make a case; unlikely to win, but OP wanted to know if there could be trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it's a rule in moco. Children under 8 must have someone 13 or older with them.

No, it’s a MARYLAND law.

http://dhs.maryland.gov/documents/Child%20Protective%20Services/Brochures/Unattended-Childre-Brochure-2016.pdf

Nope. That law is specific to being confined in a house or car.
Remember the huge news a few years ago when some kids were walking home alone from the park.
MD DHS issues a statement explicitly stating that the 8 year old law does NOT apply to kids playing alone outside.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the law, but common sense tells me OP was totally in the right.

10 and 6 is definitely old enough to be outside alone. Even without the windows and cameras. Don't they wait at the bus stop alone? Walk or bike to school? Play baseball or tag or hang out with friends?

The dark gives me some pause, but it doesn't seem like it was dangerously dark - this man could see the kids from across the street for example.

OP, I think you're totally fine. I would stand up the man and tell him not to approach your children again.

[Anonymous]

OP I'm sorry you experienced this, you might enjoy the book "Small Animals" It's about the shifts in recent years of people's perception of "safety" when kids aren't next to our sides 24/7 (OP you're doing the right thing! This is good for your kids). It's about a mom who experienced something similar to you, though hers went much farther. It's very interesting and will invalidate some of the fear mongering going on in this thread. The person who said "they could trip and fall in the low light and that's a risk you don't want to take" particularly captures the author's concerns in how things have shifted.. very interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm sorry you experienced this, you might enjoy the book "Small Animals" It's about the shifts in recent years of people's perception of "safety" when kids aren't next to our sides 24/7 (OP you're doing the right thing! This is good for your kids). It's about a mom who experienced something similar to you, though hers went much farther. It's very interesting and will invalidate some of the fear mongering going on in this thread. The person who said "they could trip and fall in the low light and that's a risk you don't want to take" particularly captures the author's concerns in how things have shifted.. very interesting.

I think it will give you the confidence to keep giving your kids this small bit of independence, which is great. It talks a bit about the laws and is helpful in that way too. Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Animals-Parenthood-Age-Fear/dp/1250089573/ref=asc_df_1250089573/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=380078040892&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12804671647921457070&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008166&hvtargid=pla-524235381729&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79069991898&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=380078040892&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12804671647921457070&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008166&hvtargid=pla-524235381729

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are in the wrong regardless of the law. It’s dark out, your kids should not be out on the street by themselves. It blows my mind that you saw a man you don’t know walk by several times and you didn’t think to go out.

I was outside after dark all the time growing up. These kids were right in front of their own home. People walk by with dogs all the time in most neighborhoods.

Quit the hysteria. OP did nothing wrong.

[Anonymous]

You guys must really be helicopter parents. In the spring/summer time, all of the kids in our neighborhood are outside after dark. Our street is a dead end at the end of a dead end (as in there is only one entry street to a bunch of side streets). So on the section where our house is there are woods and 6 houses on either side of the street. Kids aged 5-15 are outside playing kickball, riding bikes, playing catch etc. I love it, makes me think of my own childhood and i'm so glad that in this age of all things tech, kids can still do that.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty surprised by all of those vilifying this neighbor and assuming he's some kind of nefarious crackpot who needs to be reported to the police. (Also may be some sexism going on here - if it were a woman who did this would your reaction have been the same?)

Being a neighbor who shows concern for kids' safety is now something to be reported to the police? So maybe he wasn't nice about it but he did bring his concerns to your attention.

Guess when anyone sees something amiss we should just keep their mouths shut, walk on by and "mind our own business" lest someone accuse you of being a busy body or much worse.

Yep. That sounds like it will work for the benefit of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are in the wrong regardless of the law. It’s dark out, your kids should not be out on the street by themselves. It blows my mind that you saw a man you don’t know walk by several times and you didn’t think to go out.

I was outside after dark all the time growing up. These kids were right in front of their own home. People walk by with dogs all the time in most neighborhoods.

Quit the hysteria. OP did nothing wrong.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty surprised by all of those vilifying this neighbor and assuming he's some kind of nefarious crackpot who needs to be reported to the police. (Also may be some sexism going on here - if it were a woman who did this would your reaction have been the same?)

Being a neighbor who shows concern for kids' safety is now something to be reported to the police? So maybe he wasn't nice about it but he did bring his concerns to your attention.

Guess when anyone sees something amiss we should just keep their mouths shut, walk on by and "mind our own business" lest someone accuse you of being a busy body or much worse.

Yep. That sounds like it will work for the benefit of kids.

He basically threatened her. That's a bit more than "concern".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it's a rule in moco. Children under 8 must have someone 13 or older with them.

No, it’s a MARYLAND law.

http://dhs.maryland.gov/documents/Child%20Protective%20Services/Brochures/Unattended-Childre-Brochure-2016.pdf

These children were not unattended. That law is not applicable.

Mom was inside and did not come out, while this man made numerous passes back and forth. The 10 year old isn’t old enough to qualify as a babysitter yet. He could make a case; unlikely to win, but OP wanted to know if there could be trouble.

This law doesn’t apply. Mom was on her property, as were the kids. She was probably 20 feet away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty surprised by all of those vilifying this neighbor and assuming he's some kind of nefarious crackpot who needs to be reported to the police. (Also may be some sexism going on here - if it were a woman who did this would your reaction have been the same?)

Being a neighbor who shows concern for kids' safety is now something to be reported to the police? So maybe he wasn't nice about it but he did bring his concerns to your attention.

Guess when anyone sees something amiss we should just keep their mouths shut, walk on by and "mind our own business" lest someone accuse you of being a busy body or much worse.

Yep. That sounds like it will work for the benefit of kids.

TOTALLY agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty surprised by all of those vilifying this neighbor and assuming he's some kind of nefarious crackpot who needs to be reported to the police. (Also may be some sexism going on here - if it were a woman who did this would your reaction have been the same?)

Being a neighbor who shows concern for kids' safety is now something to be reported to the police? So maybe he wasn't nice about it but he did bring his concerns to your attention.

Guess when anyone sees something amiss we should just keep their mouths shut, walk on by and "mind our own business" lest someone accuse you of being a busy body or much worse.

Yep. That sounds like it will work for the benefit of kids.

He basically threatened her. That's a bit more than "concern".

"If you don't do something about your unmown lawn I'm going to call the county."
"If you keep leaving your dog outside for days at a time, I am calling the county."
"If you keep blasting your music outside, I am going to call the county."

Threats? If you want to call it that. I consider it fair warning. For all we know, despite her protestations otherwise, OP may frequently leave her kids alone outside after dark and neighbor has seen enough of it to speak out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty surprised by all of those vilifying this neighbor and assuming he's some kind of nefarious crackpot who needs to be reported to the police. (Also may be some sexism going on here - if it were a woman who did this would your reaction have been the same?)

Being a neighbor who shows concern for kids' safety is now something to be reported to the police? So maybe he wasn't nice about it but he did bring his concerns to your attention.

Guess when anyone sees something amiss we should just keep their mouths shut, walk on by and "mind our own business" lest someone accuse you of being a busy body or much worse.

Yep. That sounds like it will work for the benefit of kids.

He basically threatened her. That's a bit more than "concern".

"If you don't do something about your unmown lawn I'm going to call the county."
"If you keep leaving your dog outside for days at a time, I am calling the county."
"If you keep blasting your music outside, I am going to call the county."

Threats? If you want to call it that. I consider it fair warning. For all we know, despite her protestations otherwise, OP may frequently leave her kids alone outside after dark and neighbor has seen enough of it to speak out.

see how you feel if someone threatens to call CPS on you.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm sorry you experienced this, you might enjoy the book "Small Animals" It's about the shifts in recent years of people's perception of "safety" when kids aren't next to our sides 24/7 (OP you're doing the right thing! This is good for your kids). It's about a mom who experienced something similar to you, though hers went much farther. It's very interesting and will invalidate some of the fear mongering going on in this thread. The person who said "they could trip and fall in the low light and that's a risk you don't want to take" particularly captures the author's concerns in how things have shifted.. very interesting.

OP here. Thanks for the recommendation, I’m definitely going to read this.