Drama at LC's house

The kids are still out of school and the nanny called in sick on Monday, so I sent the twins to the local gymnastics place for the week (they have child care available during all school breaks and the kids love it.)

Last night DH picked them up, and once they got home realized that there was no food in the house for dinner. (I was working late.) The twins were pooped from playing all day, so he decided to leave them home while he and PS picked up burgers from a place literally 2 minutes from our house.

Yes, the twins are 8 years old. No, I do not know what possessed DH to think that it was ok to leave two 8-year olds home alone. He said they were really tired and he did not they would move from the couch during the 15 minutes he anticipated being gone. (I may or may not have yelled at him for his lapse in judgment.)

So, while the allegedly tired twins were home alone, they "accidentally" dialed 911. The 911 operator asked SS how old she was. SS says that she was afraid they would get taken away with us if she told the truth, so she told the 911 operator she was 12. The 911 operator asked who else was home, and SS said, "my twin." TT then got on the phone and confirmed to the 911 operator that they were 12.

Then a cop showed up at the house (protocol whenever there is a 911 call) to "make sure everything was ok." And the girls opened the door and let him in! (Yet another reason 8 year olds should not be left home alone!) Seconds later, DH returned and the cop confirmed everything was ok and left. The cop came in the front, DH came in the back, and we don't know whether the cop realized that DH actually wasn't home.

In addition to being furious with DH and the twins, I am concerned that the cop will file a CPS report. DH said the cop didn't seem concerned at all, but who knows what department policy is. CPS has 72-hours to investigate if there is not an immediate threat of harm, and that window has not passed yet.

My state has no law setting a minimum age at which a child can be left alone, but that doesn't mean CPS can't launch an investigation. Having worked in the DA's office and the child advocacy clinic, I've seen my share of CPS reports. They come into your home, evaluate the cleanliness, take pictures of the food in your your fridge and cabinets (a cabinet full of Froot Loops can and will be used against you in a court of law if you don't have any real fruit in your house), note child safety issues. interview your children, their teachers and your neighbors. NIGHTMARE!

I'm not really worried about the outcome, but the process scares the crap out of me.

The other thing that scares the crap out of me is that both of my twins lied to the 911 operator--instantly and without hesitation. And where the heck did they get the notion that they would be taken away if someone knew they were home alone? These girls are going to be trouble when they are teenagers.