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

[Anonymous]

My 10 and 6 year old were playing on the sidewalk in front of our house. They were really just listening to music on the Kindle and making bracelets with a kit the 10 year old got for Christmas. Our street is a cul-de-sac and it is a small community. It is well lit , all the street lights are on and our porch light is on. It was 6:45 so it was dark outside but I could still see everything they were doing through the window and on camera. I keep seeing this man walk his dog up and down the street and all of a sudden I see him walk over to my kids so I am watching them , getting ready to go outside and then my 6 year old runs in the house in tears saying this man wants to talk to me. I go to the door and he’s there yelling at me that I need to be watching them outside, 10 and 6 are too young to be outside without a parent, watching on camera and through the window is not enough, kids are kidnapped every second, etc. I tried to tell him I can see everything and that my kids and the neighbors play out there every evening until 7:30 usually. (The other kids were in their house at this time as they went in to eat dinner but the dad kept peeking his head out asking if we were alright when he noticed this man yelling.)
Anyway, no matter what I’d say he kept saying these same things. I finally said “Thank you for your concern but it’s really none of your business.” And then he says ,” Oh but it is , I work for the county.” I’m not sure what he meant by this but there are no laws I can find about kids playing in front of your house.

[Anonymous]

He sounds like a crackpot. If you see him again and he tried to talk to your kids, I’d call the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10 and 6 year old were playing on the sidewalk in front of our house. They were really just listening to music on the Kindle and making bracelets with a kit the 10 year old got for Christmas. Our street is a cul-de-sac and it is a small community. It is well lit , all the street lights are on and our porch light is on. It was 6:45 so it was dark outside but I could still see everything they were doing through the window and on camera. I keep seeing this man walk his dog up and down the street and all of a sudden I see him walk over to my kids so I am watching them , getting ready to go outside and then my 6 year old runs in the house in tears saying this man wants to talk to me. I go to the door and he’s there yelling at me that I need to be watching them outside, 10 and 6 are too young to be outside without a parent, watching on camera and through the window is not enough, kids are kidnapped every second, etc. I tried to tell him I can see everything and that my kids and the neighbors play out there every evening until 7:30 usually. (The other kids were in their house at this time as they went in to eat dinner but the dad kept peeking his head out asking if we were alright when he noticed this man yelling.)
Anyway, no matter what I’d say he kept saying these same things. I finally said “Thank you for your concern but it’s really none of your business.” And then he says ,” Oh but it is , I work for the county.” I’m not sure what he meant by this but there are no laws I can find about kids playing in front of your house.

I don't think there is a law. If you have him on camera, try to get an ID.

[Anonymous]

Do you have him on camera?

I would report him to the police - non-emergency number, of course. Then if he comes to your house again you call the police - regular number - and try to get a restraining order. The police will have his information at least. It should discourage him from coming back, but if he does, it should be guaranteed restraining order at that point.

These nut jobs need to experience consequences for harassing people.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I’d report this to the police tonight. This man could have been using the pretext of working for the county and having authority for getting closer to your kids for nefarious purposes. Either that or he is just a harassing crank but he’s still trying to use a mantle of authority to be abusive.

[Anonymous]

I would tell him to get off of my property and not to bother my children again. I would call the police if he shows up again. Kids in my neighborhood are out after dark. I'd also demand to know where he works in the county so I can complain. He has no right to threaten you with his job without disclosing. Get aggressive.

[Anonymous]

This man cares enough about your kids to tell you they shouldn’t be out and even asks your 6yo to go get you and you want to report him the Police? Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

No way I'd let a 10 year old out to babysit a 6 year old. To each their own but at least the 6 year old should have a parent for that very reason.

[Anonymous]

He was rude but well-intentioned. Perhaps he has a child kidnap-related trauma, or he’s a very anxious person. Anxiety is often expressed as anger.

Very few people let their kids stay outside at night, so you shouldn’t be surprised that people check on you. You said a father popped his head out of his house to check on your kids?

[Anonymous]

Why on earth were they playing with a bead kit outside? It’s 40 degrees.

[Anonymous]

Not OP here- Not if it's a good idea or not to do what she did, but is there a Law?

[Anonymous]

My 10 and 7 year old have been outside alone plenty of times, and there definitely isn’t a law against that. (There is, though, a law about leaving kids under 8 alone in the house)
I don’t know that I’d leave my kids alone for a while outside in the dark, but my neighborhood isn’t well lit, so what’s right for my family as *no* relation to what’s right for your family.im with the others that said that if you see this guy again, tell him to get off your property and call the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10 and 7 year old have been outside alone plenty of times, and there definitely isn’t a law against that. (There is, though, a law about leaving kids under 8 alone in the house)
I don’t know that I’d leave my kids alone for a while outside in the dark, but my neighborhood isn’t well lit, so what’s right for my family as *no* relation to what’s right for your family.im with the others that said that if you see this guy again, tell him to get off your property and call the police.

I'd be fine with it in my fenced yard, but not on the side walk as OP's kids were, even on a cul de sac. Not in the dark. You never know when a car is going to need to turn around or back up and get on the sidewalk a bit. Lots of crazy drivers in my neighborhood though.

[Anonymous]

My kids hang outside after dark so I don’t think it is a big deal in general, but if I saw a man walking up and down the street I would be outside after the first pass. Why the hell were you inside watching it on camera to the point he was having a conversation with your kids’ lengthy enough to make one cry?

That is irresponsible parenting.