Just watched a film called No Reservations and the orphaned child (circa 8 yrs old) was left alone at night at least 3 times during the film while the aunt went on various errands, also bear in mind this was not set in a quiet country town but New York?! I was shocked that they showed this as surely this is illegal in America as well?! I assumed it would become an issue in the film but it was never brought up as strange or unusual.