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Unfortunately the specific answer to your question is "yes, but it depends on the state". For the most part the definitions of child neglect are left to the states, generally 'neglect' would, I believe, be the charge.

To stick with Maryland again (just to have an example), there is also the definition of neglect from 5-701

The department of health and human services provides a rather nice summary of state laws as they apply to neglect (mixed among other crimes against children): https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.pdf . They really do run the gamut as a judge could potentially apply them to 'free range children':

(I have edited the quotes from the above-linked pdf only to remove definitions irrelevant to the discussion... but please note that all of them have been edited, and should not be represented as accurate summaries of the referenced statutes)

Unfortunately the specific answer to your question is "yes the law might forbid children from being out and about without supervision, but it depends on the state". I believe the section of law most applicable to this question is "child neglect", and for the most part the definitions of child neglect are left to the states. There is a very wide variety in what is considered "neglect" in various states.

To stick with Maryland again, this is the definition of neglect from 5-701

The department of health and human services provides a rather nice summary of state laws as they apply to neglect (and many other crimes against children): https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.pdf . They really do run the gamut as a judge could potentially apply them to 'free range children':

(I have edited the quotes from the above-linked pdf only to remove definitions irrelevant to the discussion... but please note that all of them have been edited, and should not be represented as authoritative summaries of the referenced statutes)

Since you specifically mentioned a case in Colorado, I'll point out that the definition of neglect there is maddeningly flexible.

Since you specifically mentioned Colorado, I'll point out that the definition of neglect there is maddeningly flexible.

Unfortunately the specific answer to your question is "yes, but it depends on the state". For the most part the definitions of child neglect are left to the states.

Interestingly, most of the laws are focused on "leaving children alone at home", and don't have much to say about leaving children unattended outdoors. For example, Maryland's 5-801 states that children under 8 cannot be left alone (confined) under the supervision of anyone younger than 13. Note that although this statute does not technically apply to children left to "run free", it is certainly not too hard to imagine a state judge interpreting it as being "in the spirit of the law".

The department of health and human services provides a rather nice summary of state laws as they apply to neglect: https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.pdf . They really do run the gamut as a judge could potentially apply them to 'free range children':

Unfortunately the specific answer to your question is "yes, but it depends on the state". For the most part the definitions of child neglect are left to the states, generally 'neglect' would, I believe, be the charge.

There are often specific laws involving "leaving children alone at home", but they usually don't have much to say about leaving children unattended outdoors. For example, Maryland's 5-801 states that children under 8 cannot be left alone (confined) under the supervision of anyone younger than 13. Note that although this statute does not technically apply to children left to "run free", it is certainly not too hard to imagine a state judge interpreting it as being "in the spirit of the law".

The department of health and human services provides a rather nice summary of state laws as they apply to neglect (mixed among other crimes against children): https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.pdf . They really do run the gamut as a judge could potentially apply them to 'free range children':