I have a cousin who was blind since birth and she was often, at that age (around 10) left home alone. Also, this was filmed in the small city of Northampton, MA, which was and for the most part, still is pretty safe. Neighborhoods like that would have people noticing anything amiss. Granted, they call it a different name but I think the setting had an influence on this issue.
-Those we should know elude us. But we canlove without complete understanding.

So have you not watched the whole movie before posting your reply? That was at the end of the movie but just after 23 minutes into the movie she is leaving him to go to work at night and says to him from the front door "Billy, I want you in bed by ten you hear me?" So she does leave him home alone. Also how will he know when it's ten? Lol

This was a setup, by the police and Andy, to trick Tracy. The mother of the blind boy didn't leave him alone, she was cooperating with police in order to protect her son. There is no scene where we see this actually take place, we assume this is what happened when we see Dana come in, dressed in a nurse costume. You can assume that Dana approached the neighbor, explained the situation and her son may be in harms way, the neighbor left with her son, the police staged the setup.

Kids used to be allowed to be alone more than they are now. I started staying home alone at age 9. Kids nowadays are helicoptered.
Even if it means me taking a chubby, I will suck it up!

OMG throw the mother in prison for child abuse. a ten year old that is smart and can take care of themselves while they sleep. unheard of nowadays

Blindness doesn't mean disfunctional. He looked to be at least 10 years old; that's old enough to find his way around the house and use the telephone in case of emergency. I'm sure he was well raised and set up to handle himselfwasn't his mother a nurse?
You are only coming through in wavesyour lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

She worked nights.
Wait a minute who am I here?