---
title: "When to Remove a Child"
slug: "when-to-remove-a-child"
tags: ["ChildRemove"]
updated: 2023-12-23T11:31:19Z
published: 2023-12-23T11:31:19Z
canonical: "www.procaresupport.com/when-to-remove-a-child"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.procaresupport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# When to Remove a Child

This article explains when and how to remove (delete) a child. Removing a child is a serious step and should only be done in certain situations.

## May I remove a child that was accidentally entered twice?

Yes. If their [Person Information](/procare-desktop/docs/person-information) was entered twice (as though they were two different people) you may use the [Remove Duplicate People](/procare-desktop/docs/remove-duplicate-people) utility. If their Person Information was entered just once, but you accidentally assigned them to the wrong family account(s) you may assign them to the correct account then remove them from any extra accounts.

## When a child leaves should they be removed?

No. You’ll need records of the child (and family account) for at least several years for tax reasons, reporting purposes, etc. Instead you should change their [Enrollment Status](/procare-desktop/docs/child-enrollment-status) to withdrawn (or any status other than “enrolled”). If all children in the family have withdrawn you may mark the account as “Hidden” on the [Account Information](/procare-desktop/docs/account-family-information) screen.

## May I remove a child that has been gone for several years?

Yes—assuming you no longer need their information. You may wish to print hard copies (or PDF versions) of certain reports, if you have not already done so, such as financial reports, attendance records or meal counts.

## How to Remove a Child

1. [Look Up](/procare-desktop/docs/look-up-search-for-families) the Account and click once on the name of the child to select them.
2. Click the Remove Child icon (person with an X through it) on the child toolbar.

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Family+%26+Child+Information/WhenToRemoveAChild_1127.png)

1. A list of items that must first be removed is displayed.
  1. If each item has a green check mark you may click Remove and the child will be deleted from that account.
  2. If any items have a red X those items must be removed first including:
    - [Billing Box Lines](/procare-desktop/docs/child-billing-box)
    - [Related People](/procare-desktop/docs/child-information-relationships)
    - [Enrollment Status](/procare-desktop/docs/child-enrollment-status)
    - [Schedules](/procare-desktop/docs/assign-child-schedules)
    - [Schedule Exceptions](/procare-desktop/docs/child-schedule-overrides-absences)
    - [Time Card Entries](/procare-desktop/docs/child-time-card)
    - [Log Sheet Entries](/procare-desktop/docs/log-sheet)
    - [Meals Served](/procare-desktop/docs/child-meal-tracker-setup-and-use)

## Remove People who were on the Account

When you remove a child the [Person Information](/procare-desktop/docs/person-information) (name, address, phone, etc.) for the Child, Authorized Pickups, etc. still exists in the database. If those people are no longer assigned to an account (or anywhere else in Procare) you may completely remove them using the [Unassigned People](/procare-desktop/docs/unassigned-people) utility.