Latest news with #babysitter
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Can you legally leave your child home alone in NY? What parents should know
For many working parents, finding a reliable babysitter or securing a spot at a summer camp isn't always easy. That leaves some wondering: Can I leave my child home alone? And if that's the only option—how young is too young? What's the legal age to leave a child home alone in NY? Unlike some states, New York does not set a legal minimum age for leaving children home alone. According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, children mature at different rates, and some may have special needs or abilities. Therefore, it's up to parents or guardians to make thoughtful, informed decisions. When making that decision, consider: Maturity: Has your child shown the ability to handle responsibility? Preparedness: Can they manage basic tasks like preparing food or knowing what to do in an emergency? Circumstances: How long will they be alone, and in what setting? Very young children, of course, should never be left unsupervised. While there's no law in New York setting a specific age, parents can still face legal consequences—such as child endangerment—if something goes wrong while a child is left home alone. How to decide if your child is ready Though there is no one-size-fits-all answer, suggests that most children are ready to stay home alone around age 12 or 13, depending on their maturity. Experts also recommend looking at your child's behavior at school. If your child tends to follow rules and act responsibly in a structured environment, that's a good sign they may be ready for some unsupervised time at home. If they tend to misbehave or push boundaries, it may be wise to wait. Contributing: USA Today Network This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Can you legally leave your child home alone? What NY law says Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Tragic crash pic emerges after airline CEO's wife ‘ran down babysitter, 24, as lawyer dismisses claims she fled scene
TRAGIC pictures have revealed the aftermath of the fatal crash where a CEO's wife allegedly ran over a babysitter - with her lawyers shutting down claims she fled the scene. Vivian Alexandra Spohr, 51, the wife of billionaire Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr, is alleged to have struck Gaia Costa with her car as she was crossing the road in Sardinia. 9 9 9 Spohr is now being investigated for negligent homicide - and her lawyers have rubbished previous reports that she fled the scene following the horror crash. They said that the 51-year-old driver actually gave first aid to the dying woman after realising what had happened. The babysitter tragically passed away after Spohr's SUV struck her as she attempted to walk across a zebra crossing in the Italian seaside resort of Porto Cervo. Costa is said to have raised her arm in an attempt to warn the BMW of her presence before being hit at around 1:30pm on Tuesday. Gaia was reportedly still alive when help reached her, but had sustained serious head injuries and tragically died at the scene, La Repubblica reported. Shocking pictures taken in the aftermath show Costa's body covered by a large white sheet and lying on the ground next to a black SUV. Several other emergency response vehicles were seen parked around the harrowing scene. Reports previously claimed that Spohr, who was driving with her daughter in the car, initially didn't notice the accident. She was said to have been stopped by a passerby before fainting after she saw what had happened. But Spohr's lawyer, Angelo Merlini, said on Saturday: "Contrary to what was previously reported, Vivian Spohr stopped after the accident and provided first aid to the girl. "However, after an initial attempt at resuscitation, Vivian Spohr lost consciousness and fainted." Merlini added that Spohr struck the woman at a "very low speed" with her car, which has an automatic transmission and is very heavy. One witness at the scene reportedly said that moments after the collision, the driver opened the door of the vehicle and "immediately realised what had happened, put her hands to her face and collapsed to the ground". Spohr had been on holiday at her family's holiday home in the seaside resort - but reportedly travelled back to Munich while prosecutor Milena Aucone was registering her as a suspect. Her lawyers said on Friday: "Vivian Spohr, who was involved in the tragic death, expresses her dismay and deep regret over this very serious accident. "She has placed herself at the complete disposal of the judicial authorities for the necessary investigations and, although aware that such a great personal loss cannot be remedied, will take steps to mitigate the consequences." 9 9 9 The billionaire's wife took alcohol and drug tests following the crash, and both came back negative. CCTV is understood to have captured Costa crossing the street before noticing the SUV approaching her. She desperately attempted to stop it by waving her hand - but she was knocked to the ground moments later and banged her head. Ambulance services arrived at the scene shortly after and paramedics spent more than 20 minutes trying to revive her before she was tragically pronounced dead. The SUV was seized and will undergo technical investigations. An examination of Costa's body was conducted on Wednesday. The region's mayor Gianni Addis said: "Gaia was a young woman who was deeply involved in the city's social and cultural life. "She was passionate about our traditions and never missed the parades of the local folk group." Cops continue to investigate the circumstances of the accident. 9 9
The Sun
27-06-2025
- The Sun
Mum shoved her babysitter down concrete stairs after day boozing at Ladies Day – leaving her with horror injuries
A MUM left her babysitter with "horrific" injuries when she shoved her down concrete stairs after the races. Chloe Bell launched her assault following a long day of booing on Ladies Day at Newcastle racecourse last July. 4 4 4 The 33-year-old became embroiled in a scrap with her ex-boyfriend's mum, who was babysitting, when she returned home. Newcastle Crown Court heard a "scuffle" ensued between the two women. The victim, 59, was pushed and fell down four concrete outdoor steps. She was taken to hospital with a head wound that needed six staples. Doctors also treated her for a "horrific" open laceration on her arm, as well as hand injuries and bruises. The victim said in an impact statement, which was read in court: "Me and Chloe were so close, she would call me mam and I would call her my daughter. "I can't believe she has done this to me." The victim said the incident has stopped her from sleeping, and her husband had to take off work to care for her. She said it is still "all I think about". Bell, 33, of Blyton Avenue, Sunderland, admitted unlawful wounding. Mr Recorder Jonathan Sandiford sentenced Bell to an 18 month community order with rehabilitation requirements, 40 hours unpaid work and £800 compensation order. The recorder told her: "You had been out at the races in Newcastle, ladies day. As is common on such days people had a lot to drink. You had a lot to drink and it seems from what I have read that was an unusual situation for you. "It seems to me a fair summary of what happened when you returned was effectively, as far as you were concerned, a drunk or intoxicated argument broke out. "You had your hair pulled but you pushed the complainant down the outside steps. I have seen a photograph of them, they are quite high steps and she sustained very unpleasant injuries. "She was taken to hospital and had various scans. I have seen photographs, particularly the injury to her upper left arm which can only be described as a horrific, large open laceration to the arm. "She had significant lacerations to her head and hand, bruising to her legs and bruising to the back and chest. "The emotional impact this had upon her is as much as the physical impact because of the nature of the relationship she had with you. "To your credit, you yourself are horrified at what you have done to her." Recorder Sandiford also told the court Bell was of previous good character, and showed remorse. "There was an element of you being subject to at least having your hair pulled," he added. Nicholas Lane, defending, dubbed the brawl a "spontaneous incident". He said: "She was incredibly close to the complainant. She cannot herself believe she behaved in the way she did. "The court can safely conclude her actions were out of character."
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE New Jersey town that's ground zero for terrifying wave of child deaths is a warning for every parent: 'Where's the baby?'
Moshe Ehrlich was engrossed in Torah studies at his college one afternoon when he was told his wife was calling on the school's emergency line. Frantic, she wanted to know why he hadn't dropped off the youngest of their six kids at the babysitter's that morning.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Sweet-looking Oklahoma babysitter charged with unthinkable killing of child after being hired on Facebook
A sweet-looking babysitter who was hired by parents on Facebook has been charged with the death of a 22-day-old Oklahoma child after police found she committed a similar sickening act on a two-month-old. Holly Sheppard, who is already serving a life sentence at Oklahoma County Detention Center for abusing a child in 2023, was slapped with additional charges Monday in connection to the tragic Oklahoma City death of Willow Rose Shelton. The infant was brought to St. Anthony's Hospital on January 25 with 'non-accidental abusive head trauma,' police told KOKH. She died soon after. Shelton's mother said Sheppard was taking care of her baby for four days when the incident occurred, according to court documents obtained by the outlet. Several witnesses were interviewed, but the lead investigator couldn't determine exactly who was taking care of the infant when she was injured so the case was left unsolved for seven years. But five years after Shelton died, another baby, two-month-old Korra Burdick, was brought to Oklahoma Children's Hospital on July 14, 2023 with a brain injury after being babysat by Sheppard in Ponca City - a little more than an hour outside of Oklahoma City. She thankfully survived and was moved to the intensive care unit. At the time, Sheppard told investigators she didn't know how the baby got hurt, but she later changed her story several times and went on to admit she dropped Burdick twice, The Bull Tulsa reported. She told authorities she dropped the child after tripping over a toy, but doctors said her brain injury was too extensive to be caused by a drop, an affidavit, reviewed by the outlet, showed. The baby was left with internal bleeding, two skull fractures and had to have a flap of her skull removed to relieve pressure, Kay News Cow reported at the time. Sheppard was then arrested for child neglect, child abuse and obstruction of justice. Her bond was set at $500,000 and she was ordered not to have any contact with children, records detailed. In November 2024, she entered a blind plea of no contest and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of release after 25 years in Kay County. But, now she might never get out after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of the first child. It is unclear how many years she could face behind bars for the death of baby Shelton. Ponca City Deputy Chief of Police Josh Henderson said Sheppard's crimes were 'inexcusable and represent a profound betrayal of the trust placed in someone responsible for a child's care.' 'No child should ever suffer harm at the hands of those entrusted with their safety,' Henderson told KOKH. 'We are grateful for the opportunity to assist other agencies across Oklahoma in their pursuit of justice in heartbreaking cases such as these.' Although years have gone on with no answers for the first crime, McKenzie Allen, Burdick's mother, has made sure both her and Shelton's stories are told. She started a Facebook page called Korra's Journey, where she gives updates of her daughter's milestones and success since the horrible injury. On Tuesday, after hearing Sheppard was charged with Shelton's murder, Allen posted: 'Justice for Baby Willow is finally happening. #JusticeForWillow #Justice4Korra' On the day Sheppard was sentenced for her daughter's incident, Allen took to the page sharing her pain and strength. 'Tomorrow is the day. The day that we sit in that courtroom reliving all the trauma like it happened yesterday,' she wrote. 'All the horrific memories and feelings flood back as we sit and listen. Tomorrow we will be able to stand up against evil and be Korra's voice.' Burdick recently celebrated her second birthday in April, according to her mom's Facebook. Joe Dorman, the CEO of the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, said these startling cases should serve as a reminder to parents to be cautious when picking a babysitter online. 'I would be wary of searching for any individual to be a babysitter on the internet,' he told KOCO News. 'If you go through a professional service, that's one thing, but don't just post to people who might be a connection on Facebook, "I need a babysitter," because how well do you truly know them?' Instead, Dorman said if parents can't turn to trusted relatives or friends to watch their children, they should use legitimate babysitting services that conduct background searches on caregivers. 'These businesses will hire individuals, ensure they're background checked, and put them through some training sometimes, so that's usually a better option,' he said. In Oklahoma specifically, he suggested parents check if potential babysitters have faced any charges by combing through the Oklahoma State Courts Network. 'That will allow you to look up any kind of court filing or some kind of ticket that an individual has received,' he explained. Still, Dorman noted that sometimes a parent's only option is to hire a stranger to be responsible for their kids. 'Sometimes you are placed into a situation where you have no choice but to pay a babysitter. You just want to make sure you're doing it as safe as possible.'
