The McCanns: UK County councils views on responsible parenting

Gerry McCann claims his actions on the night of May 03, were within the bounds of responsible parenting. Not according to many UK local authorities or the NSPCC.

The following is from the website of East Sussex County Council

"There is no set age where it is OK to leave children home alone. Everything will depend on whether the child is mature enough to be left, and knows how to cope in case of an emergency.
The NSPCC advise that most children under 13 are not mature enough to cope in an emergency, and should not be left alone for more than a very short while.

You should never leave babies or young children alone in the home, whether they are asleep or awake, not even for a few minutes.

What does the law say?

There is no rule in law that specifies the age at which it is legal to leave your children alone.

However, the Children and Young Persons Act (1933) states that parents can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’."

I did a Google search using the phrase "children alone" and restricting it to ".gov.uk"

You will find a whole list of British county councils giving exactly the same advice and quoting the same source.

Gerry, considering the advice is so universal, who actually advised you that your actions were within the bounds of responsible parenting? Why are you always unable or unwilling to give names in such instances?

Goodnight all!

Wherever you may be - be safe