When you become a parent, you're meant to make a lot of sacrifices to ensure the kid or kids are happy and healthy.
Many parents swap the pub and boozy brunches to nappy changing and the school run. As they get older and a bit more independent then you can leave them at home by themselves. However, that's only if it's for a couple of hours, maximum.
But one mum has allegedly taken that a bit too far after she accused of leaving her 10-year-old son at home while she went to a party.
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While that doesn't sound too outrageous, things took a turn for the worse when the son woke up in the morning and found his mum still hadn't come home, according to the Courier Mail.
The 27-year-old mum was arrested this week and charged with three counts of leaving a child under the age of 12. During their investigation, they revealed the mum has allegedly done this twice before.
Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit officer-in-charge detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles told the Queensland newspaper: "She suggested that arrangements of the care of the child had been made...but investigations have found that to be incorrect.
"The reality is I think a lot of people think it's OK because 'my kid knows what to do, I've told them what to do'.
"But at the end of the day, children under the age of 12 are ill-equipped to care for themselves, and/or care for younger siblings and they should not be left in those sort of circumstances."
The woman is accused of leaving the home on Tuesday for a party on Magnetic Island and then didn't come home until the next day.
Police say she told them arrangements had been made to care for the child but then they found that was a lie.
Queensland state law restricts parents from leaving anyone under the age of 12 by themselves for an 'unreasonable time'.
That wording has lead to some law experts to worry that the legislation can be interpreted by different people. One hour away from the kids might seem unreasonable to some parents whereas others might think it's more like five or six hours.
So let this be a lesson to you parents out there: if you're planning on going on a bender, make sure you have another parent, relative or guardian look after your kid so you don't get in trouble.
Because the only thing worse than a come down or hangover is a pair of handcuffs.
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