お留守番はネグレクト？
英語圏の諸国では十何歳かまでの子供に留守番をさせると逮捕されるという話を聞きます。 米国を例にとると明文で年齢を定める州はまれなようです。 イリノイ州法 uvenile Court Act, 705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(d) は "Those who are neglected include any minor under the age of 14 years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor" と述べて14歳という法定年齢をうちだしています。
メリーランド州の家族法は Family Law Article, § 5-801
(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.
として8歳以下の子供の留守番や車内放置に対して量刑を定めています。
我が国で最もよく報道されるネグレクトは車内放置です。
児童虐待防止法でも車内放置についての立法を考えていく必要があるかもしれません。
