Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered a circumstance of Child Abandonment?

1. Leaving a child under 13 alone for 24 hours

2. Leaving a child over 13 alone for 48 hours

3. Leaving a child under 13 without supervision for 24 hours

4. Leaving a child under 13 without supervision for 1 hour

The correct answer is: Leaving a child over 13 alone for 48 hours

The choice that does not align with the definition of child abandonment pertains to the circumstances surrounding the care and supervision of children. In this case, leaving a child over 13 alone for 48 hours generally does not meet the criteria for child abandonment as stipulated by many legal definitions. Typically, older adolescents are afforded more independence and are expected to handle certain responsibilities that younger children cannot. This context suggests that a 13-year-old may be deemed capable of being left alone for a more extended period than a younger child. Therefore, while leaving a child under 13 may well constitute abandonment due to their greater need for supervision and protection, the same expectation does not hold for an older teenager. In contrast, leaving a child under 13 alone or without adequate supervision—regardless of whether it is for 24 hours or even just 1 hour—would typically represent a neglect of parental responsibility, raising red flags about the child’s safety and well-being.