A couple from Arizona are facing child neglect charges after they went out of town and left their 11-year-old son at home unattended for weeks.
According to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responding to concerns about the welfare of the boy found him alone at the family's home in Elfrida, a small town in southeast Arizona.
The boy told the deputies his mother left the state before Thanksgiving, followed by his father, who left after the November holiday.
An Arizona couple has been arrested after they left their 11-year-old son home alone for two weeks, authorities said.https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/arizona-couple-left-11-year-old-son-home-alone-for-weeks-sheriff-1.5728248\u00a0\u2026— CTV Calgary (@CTV Calgary) 1641391225
He also said he hadn't been to school for two weeks and was eating frozen food.
When the deputies were unable to reach the boy's parents–Bobby Jo Green, 40, and Melissa Green, 34–he was turned over to child protective services.
You can watch a news report, here.
People commented on an all-too-familiar and problematic issue surrounding neglectful parents.
This happens more than people like to admit. I have neighbors that let their kids under the age of 10 run around the neighborhood unsupervised causing property destruction because they think it\u2019s funny banging & running past peoples doors. Leaving Older siblings to watch younger— Tiffalicious (@Tiffalicious) 1641068280
Left alone because parents have to work, but have a neighbor that is trusted to keep an eye out...but being gone for weeks puts that kid at risk...hopefully some takes him in that cares about the child and not the money— Charlotte Coe (@Charlotte Coe) 1641095050
I was a latchkey kid myself growing up. Being the oldest, I was told to make sure my brother and I made it to/from elementary school, went straight home and locked the door behind us and to feed ourselves. This little guy though, was straight up abandoned. Very sad :(— Jennifer Kruger (@Jennifer Kruger) 1641179013
This poor boy. These so-called parents don\u2019t deserve him or any child, no matter what their reason (excuse) is. I remember feeling so guilty, having to leave my 12 and 9 yr old home alone for 15 minutes every school day.https://apple.news/AsWYdRjZCR1qNCkWWC56RLw\u00a0\u2026— Lovin My Grandsons (@Lovin My Grandsons) 1641312037
The sheriff’s office said the couple was arrested after they returned home on December 29.
Parents who neglect or abandon their children–which is defined by The Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 8-201 as "failing to provide clothing, food, shelter or medical care"–may be subject to criminal prosecution and it could lead to termination of parental rights.
Bobby Jo Green and Melissa Green were charged with three counts of child neglect and their bonds were set at $100,000.
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