Child Supervision Guidelines

Child Supervision Guidelines in Georgia

In Georgia, neglect is defined as:                                                                   

1. The failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law or other care or control necessary for a child's physical, mental or emotional health or morals; or
2. The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such child's wellbeing; or
3. The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian or legal custodian.

DFCS suggests the following guidelines

when determining if a child is old enough and mature enough to be left without adult supervision.

Children in Parental Custody

1. Children (8) eight years or younger should not be left alone
2. Children between the ages of (9) nine years and (12) twelve years, based on level of maturity, may be left alone for brief (less than two hours) periods of time
3. Children (13) thirteen years and older, who are at an adequate level of maturity, may be left alone and may perform the role of babysitter, as authorized by the parent, for up to twelve hours.

If you have specific questions concerning supervision guidelines, please contact the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 1-877-423-4746 (Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.).