I thought Texas was supposed to be a “free range kids” state. The article even mentions this:
HB567, a larger child welfare reform bill, and clarifies that parents are allowed to let their kids engage in independent activities as long as they aren't putting them in serious, likely danger. [...] Unfortunately, HB567 amended only family law, not criminal law. This meant the cops were still free to punish Wallace.
The solution is to create a law like HB567, but that amends Texas’s criminal law so frivolous arrests like this one can not happen.
Another thing would be for more states to have well defined laws which give children a minimum age when they can be left unsupervised.
HB567, a larger child welfare reform bill, and clarifies that parents are allowed to let their kids engage in independent activities as long as they aren't putting them in serious, likely danger. [...] Unfortunately, HB567 amended only family law, not criminal law. This meant the cops were still free to punish Wallace.
The solution is to create a law like HB567, but that amends Texas’s criminal law so frivolous arrests like this one can not happen.
Another thing would be for more states to have well defined laws which give children a minimum age when they can be left unsupervised.
Related: https://reason.com/2017/03/30/mom-arrested-for-leaving-kid-a... — https://reason.com/2021/10/11/cop-family-lawsuit-midland-qua...