CHURCHVILLE, N.Y. -- The death of a 10-year-old Churchville-Chili boy Monday night is generating conversation about what age is appropriate to leave a child home alone.
In most states, including New York, there are no clear cut guidelines on when it's OK to leave a child home alone.
According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, several factors come into play for parents, such as asking themselves if the child is mature, if they’re responsible — do they have special needs?
"It really is one of those things in life where nobody can tell you better than you can judge for yourself whether or not your child is ready. Most parents have the ability to assess their children's developmental, medical level of judgment," said Deb Rosen, of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center.
Rosen says some parents, however, are not able to make those decisions and need professional help.
"I think that it provokes some of the same questions of what do we do when we think a parent has exercised bad judgment. Is that really our call to make? And what resources are available to parents when they feel that they are forced to make a decision that may not be the best decision," said Rosen.
An investigation into the case in Churchville-Chili continues.