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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2007
CONTACT:
Carol Maravic
717-787-6725
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Orie to Introduce Bill to Set Parameters For Leaving Young Children Unattended

A house fire that killed five unattended children in Pittsburgh earlier this month has made it clear that Pennsylvania needs to adopt legislation to clarify what constitutes criminal neglect and abandonment, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny).

Orie said she plans to introduce a bill that would set minimum age and time limits in cases where children are left alone for an extended period of time.

"Currently, there is no minimum age or time limit to offer parents and authorities a bright-line assessment as to whether leaving a child to care for themselves or a sibling constitutes neglect," Orie said.  "Bare minimums must be addressed in order to codify a societal norm that joins common sense and our justice system."

In the Pittsburgh fire, the eldest of the five children was only eight years old, and was left to care for younger toddlers and young children.

"No child that age should be left unattended for a long period, and they certainly shouldn’t be watching even younger children," Orie said.  "My bill will set clear parameters in these cases."