How old does a child have to be to leave home legally in Texas?

Texas does not have a legal definition of how old a child must be to be left home alone. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign suggest that kids should not be left alone if they are 11 years old or younger.

Texas does not have a legal definition because several factors come into play, including the child's maturity level, the danger of situation, and the intelligence of the child. Also, the length of time the child is left alone is also important, as younger children should only be left for shorter periods of time. It is important to consider how comfortable the child is with the situation, as if she is not comfortable being left alone, she may not be ready for the responsibility.