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UK 'home alone' mothers questioned
MANCHESTER, England -- Police in Britain are investigating the case of an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly left home alone while his parents flew abroad on holiday. The case is the second of its kind to emerge in as many days. It was revealed on Monday how the 11-year-old's mother allegedly boarded a plane to the Canary Islands for a family break without her son. It was reported that the family had travelled together to Manchester Airport and were to spend a three-week holiday in Fuerteventura. But the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not have a passport, so his mother allegedly handed the boy a door key and sent him home in a taxi before flying off for the break with her husband and a second child. The boy was seen getting out of the taxi on his own by neighbours who contacted police. On Sunday, in a separate incident, police in London launched a search for the mother of a 12-year-old boy. For almost two weeks he had been at home alone and had fed and clothed himself and continued to attend school without saying anything about his mother's absence, apparently for fear of getting her into trouble. Fears were expressed for the safety of his 53-year-old mother, who had been suffering from depression. However, she turned up safe and well on Monday and was questioned by police. She is due to undergo a psychiatric assessment over Christmas. Meanwhile, the mother of the 11-year-old has returned to Britain and will be also questioned by police. Inspector Alistair Roe, of Derbyshire Police, told the Press Association: "The lady has been spoken to by officers on a voluntary basis. Inquiries are continuing." Derbyshire County Council's social services department said the boy would spend Christmas with foster parents. "Negotiations are taking place with his parents about access," a spokesman for the council said. The 12-year-old London boy will also be spending Christmas in care. A spokesman for Wandsworth Social Services said: "We will continue to make sure (he) is well cared for while his mother remains in hospital. "Over Christmas he will be staying with relatives and he will remain with them until a fuller assessment can be made of his and his mother's longer-term needs." His mother has been released on police bail to return to Battersea police station on January 15.
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