What is the law about leaving a child alone in a car?

In North Carolina, it is illegal to leave a child unattended and unsupervised in a vehicle. According to the North Carolina General Statute 20-138.1, leaving a child under the age of 7 alone in a vehicle is considered to be neglectful and is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This statute also states that the same offense for a child age 7 and older is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Parents and guardians must follow the law closely when leaving their children in the car. Leaving a child in a car with the motor running, windows cracked, or air conditioning running is still considered to be a negligent act. In North Carolina, a parent or guardian is not allowed to leave a child in the car for over 15 minutes, in any circumstance. If a child is left alone in a car for longer than 15 minutes, the child is considered to be in danger and law enforcement may be contacted. If an officer finds a child to be in danger, the parent, guardian, or responsible adult who left the child in the car may be charged with a crime. The punishment for such an act includes a jail sentence up to 60 days. Additionally, the offender may have to pay a fine of up to $1000. In summary, North Carolina law strictly prohibits leaving a child under the age of 7 alone in a vehicle. Leaving an older child unattended in a car is also not allowed and can result in criminal charges.

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