OP again. I’m not sure I’m really explaining it correctly, no one can drive over the sidewalk or get to them, there is no actual street to drive on out front, just sidewalks. This isn’t our house but it is set up like this and everyone plays outside. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t a law so thank you for those replies. I will not be letting them play except on weekends when it is light during the day because it is already dark when we get home at 5:40.

Anonymous wrote:Law

8 to be alone
11 to babysit a sibling
13 to babysit a no /-sibling

But the law does not exactly cover kids outside and would not cover a child in his own yard/front yard. The law is ambiguous.

Where does Maryland law set 11 as the age to babysit a sibling?

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.

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

That is not the rule. You are citing a rule about when it’s ok to leave kids in a house or car, not outside playing. Also, even under those ages it is fine if they are in sight of an adult, like here.
OP I don’t think you were being irresponsible.

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

OP, just have them in at dark so this jerk can't call CPS on you. Technically, the sidewalk is not your property. Don't you have a back yard? Not that you should hav to, but this guy is obviously looking for trouble. Make it so he has to look elsewhere.

Also, file a report with the police that he was approaching your children. Done and done.

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

You are misrepresenting this law.

"Maryland State Law:

Maryland Child Protective Services Procedures (SSA95-13) define an "unattended child" as:
A child under eight left alone or in the care of a person who is not reliable or who is under 13.
A child aged eight through 12 left alone for longer than brief periods without support systems which should include phone numbers of parents, other family members or neighbors, information about personal safety, and what to do in an emergency. Children in this age group may not be left to care for children under the age of eight.
A child 12 or over who is left alone for long hours or overnight or with responsibilities beyond capabilities or where there is some special risk factor such as intellectual disability or physical handicap that would indicate that the child may be in jeopardy.
A child who has been abandoned.
A child of any age who is handicapped and left alone, if the handicapping condition constitutes a special risk factor which indicates that the child is in jeopardy.
Maryland Family Law, 5-701(p) states that NEGLECT is "the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision under circumstances that indicate: that the child's health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm."
The Montgomery County Child Protective Services defines neglect as "the chronic failure of a parent, caretaker, household or family member to provide a child under 18 basic needs of life, such as: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, attention to hygiene, educational opportunity, protection and supervision. Cultural standards which differ from those of most of the community are not necessarily neglect." To make a report call 240-777-4417."

Law

8 to be alone
11 to babysit a sibling
13 to babysit a no /-sibling

But the law does not exactly cover kids outside and would not cover a child in his own yard/front yard. The law is ambiguous.

If anyone reports you, you are likely to get county visit to your home as this meets county definition of neglect.

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

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

He was not on the same side of the street as my kids at that point so he was just a random person walking his dog. At that point the neighbors 7 and 8 year olds were still out with them. When the neighbor called them in for dinner was when I noticed him walking up to my kids and I did go out at that point. She came in the door while I was walking out.

You said you “kept seeing him walking up and down”. That is suspicious behavior that warrants you walking outside to ensure he knows you are keeping an eye on things. It doesn’t matter what side of the street he was onunless you are talking about a 4 lane highway.

In the dark, kidnap is not the problem.

A car could hit your kids while turning. I was nearly run over a few weeks ago in my own neighborhood while walking my dog. It was dark and the driver went too fast to see me in the crosswalk. I had to jump back.

They could trip and hit their head or break a bone in the poor lighting. It’s not life-threatening, but annoying enough that you don’t want it to happen either.

Anonymous wrote: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.

He was not on the same side of the street as my kids at that point so he was just a random person walking his dog. At that point the neighbors 7 and 8 year olds were still out with them. When the neighbor called them in for dinner was when I noticed him walking up to my kids and I did go out at that point. She came in the door while I was walking out.

Thanks for all the replies. We have a very tiny front yard , one tree takes up the whole thing so the sidewalk is about 15 ft from our front door , maybe not even that much.
The Wi-Fi from our house still works for them to play music. I’m not sure why they like being out there in the dark and cold but when they’re not at an after school activity they’re out there along with all the neighbors. We can clearly see them at all times on camera and large bay window.
The neighbor was checking on me because this man was yelling at me as I had already made the kids gather their things and go inside. I didn’t and don’t plan on calling the police on him but I do have him on camera, I just wanted to make sure there weren’t any laws that could have my kids involved with CPS which is what he seemed to imply by what he said.

Your neighbor sounds crazy and I would not want your kids out there in the dark near him. They need to come in when the streetlights come on.