A noise complaint turned into a parenting reality check after police discovered children home alone at an apartment—and it raised a question many families quietly wrestle with.
Just before 7 p.m., officers with the Portsmouth Police Department were called to a 14th Street apartment after a neighbor reported screaming and banging coming from inside.
What Officers Found
When officers arrived, they found several children home alone while their mother was at work. Police said the kids appeared to be old enough to care for themselves, but were clearly pushing the limits—and the noise brought neighbors to the phone.
Officers spoke with the children about the complaint, then went a step further. They tracked down the mother at the restaurant where she worked and explained what had happened.
The mother told officers the children stay home while she works and are old enough to be left alone. Everyone was advised, and no further action was taken.
So… How Old Is Old Enough to Leave Kids Alone?
Ohio law doesn’t set a hard-and-fast age, which means parents are expected to use judgment—and that’s where things can get tricky.
Here are some widely accepted guidelines child safety experts often recommend:
🧒 Under 8
❌ Generally too young to be left alone, even briefly.
🧑 Ages 8–10
⚠️ May be left alone for short periods (30–90 minutes)
✔️ Child should know basic rules, emergency numbers, and not open the door to strangers
🧒➡️🧑 Ages 11–12
✔️ Often considered appropriate for longer stretches, including after school
✔️ Should be able to follow rules, manage conflict, and call for help if needed
🧑🦱 13 and Up
✔️ Generally acceptable to be home alone
✔️ Often capable of supervising younger siblings, depending on maturity
What Really Matters (More Than Age)
Police and child advocates say age is only part of the equation. What matters most is:
- Maturity level
- Ability to handle conflict without escalating
- Knowing when and how to call for help
- Clear rules about noise, visitors, and behavior
- Neighbors who don’t end up calling 911
In this case, officers felt the children were legally old enough—but the call still happened because behavior crossed a line, not because mom went to work.
Leaving kids home alone isn’t illegal by default—but it does come with responsibility.
👉 If neighbors are calling police, it’s a sign something isn’t working—age aside.
👉 Clear expectations, check-ins, and boundaries can prevent a family situation from turning into a police call.
Because once officers knock on the door, the question isn’t just “Are they old enough?”
It’s “Are they ready?”
