Sarasota, Florida -- Kids playing in the neighborhood, walking alone to school, playing at the park without adult supervision. When is it too young? And when left alone, how long is too long? In some cases it's seen as child neglect or is it?
That is the case for a Maryland couple. They are being investigated for child neglect after letting their 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter to walk to a few places -- alone -- near their home.
Twice, anonymous callers alerted "police" and "Child Protective Services" who have visited the family's home and interviewed the kids at school.
Did police and Child Protective Services over react?
"Yes," says Alicia Chalmers, mother of the two.
Alicia Chalmers, at the park, keeps a close watch on her 3-year-old son but with her 6-year-old boy she loosens the reigns a bit.
"When he's riding his bike I see him from the driveway I let him go 5 driveways down he wants to do more," says Alicia.
Giving her children more independence is a tough balance these days.
Alicia says, "We feel we have to stay in this bubble because the world isn't always safe."
Alicia says growing up today is different from 50 even 30 years ago. "I rode my bike all around the neighborhood walked around felt safe secure," recalls Alicia.
Even so she sees nothing wrong with an older child watching her kids. Alicia says, "I've had my son 6 be with a friend's 10-year-old keep an eye on him it empowers them with that independence with that freedom."
That's not the case for Mike Catalano.
"I would never let my kids out my site period," says Mike. He adds, "I don't think it's safe someone can grab them that fast."
Not even if they had a cell phone for emergencies would Mike say he'd allow his 6-year-old son to venture far from home.
Is the cell phone the new babysitter? Mike says, "I think so maybe it' an excuse for poor parenting."
Unlike some states, the Florida Department of Children and Families does not have a set age or time limit for how long a child can be left alone. DCF also says each case of child neglect is individually judged.
Knowing the law is so subjective has this mom worried.
Alicia says, "I don't want to get picked up by the police because my child was doing something I felt he was the most mature, responsible and able to do."
Will she be second guessing yourself? Alicia says, "Absolutely! Absoultely and there's enough of that with being a parent."
