I'm 18 and leaving, can my mom call the cops and report me missing?

[Unregistered]

I'm eighteen years old and things are so bad at home, I'm ready to leave. I've thought about my decision for a long time, and I plan to leave Indiana. I have told my mom I don't want to live under the roof anymore, but she says she will call the cops and report me as a missing person. However, I want to know if this is possible (and legal). Can I go to the police explaining the situation and proving to them that I am a legal adult and that I can legally leave? If not, what can I do to ensure that I will get the police called on me as a 'missing person'?

[ccsmod8]

RE: I'm 18 and leaving, can my mom call the cops and report me missing?

Hello,

We appreciate you taking time to reach out to us to gather resources to help resolve your matter at home. We are here to empower you and to help explore options. We are not legal experts. We cannot offer legal advice. Leaving home tend to vary from state to state and can be circumstantial. However, 18 is the age of majority in Indiana.

Once you have reached that age it may be considered legal for you to leave home. Your mother may not be able to file a runaway report because the police may use their own discretion because of your age. The missing person report is not something we are entirely sure of. These two reports may be interchangeable at times. The police may look at them as the same. You mentioned you may be able to call the police yourself to tell them the real situation.

When do you think you will be able to do that? It may also help to get a second opinion to make sure you are given the right information. Your mother has the right to call the police to voice her feelings on this matter but legally there is little she may be able to do to stop you from leaving. Is there anything that your mother may still expect of you before you do? What is your plan?

It sounds like this is something you have thought a lot about. We asked about your plan because we hope you can give us a call to explore short or long term plan and how you hope to achieve these. You are welcome to call us directly at 1800RUNAWAY 24 hours a day to speak with any liner here to get resources. We have a database filled with resources local to most city and states. It matters simply on what you intend to do to survive if you left home. We want to help in case you are thinking about options and surviving. We hope this information was helpful in some way. Good luck.

-NRS

[Unregistered]

Will the cops be able to do anything if I'm 18 and leave?

I'm 18 years old and I want to leave my house but my perrents always thretan to call the cops and report a runaway. Can the police here in mishagin do anything?

[ccsmod3]

Re: Will the cops be able to do anything if I'm 18 and leave?

Hello there,

It sounds like you are set on leaving and just have concerns with whether your parents can still call the cops and report you as a runaway. Typically at 18 you are considered a legal adult (if there is no physical or mental disability affecting your independence.) However, to be sure there is always the option of reaching out to your local law enforcement. Also, even if you are a legal adult, it is possible your parents could still file you as missing if you do not plan on telling them where you are going. We are available to talk to you further about your situation. Best of luck!

[Confused]

Moving out of state at 18

Hello I need to know if it is legal for me to move out of state without parental permission when I turn 18. I currently live in New Mexico but my family is military and we will be moving to Mississippi next month. The age of majority in Mississippi is 21 but if I were to move back to New Mexico by myself, where the age of majority is 18, would my parents be able to file a runaway? And would the cops make me go back home even if I'm a legal adult in the state I am in? I plan on living with my boyfriend and his family who have practically become my family for the past 2 years because I'm neglected by my own. His parents want to take legal guardianship of me for the 1 year until I turn 18 so I don't have to move but my family will never agree to that. So I plan on buying a one way plane ticket back to New Mexico as soon as I turn 18. Is it legal? Can I do it?

[ccsmod9]

RE: Moving out of state at 18

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Sorry to hear about the situation you are currently in. We aren’t legal experts but we can speak generally. Typically your guardians could file a runaway report if you are under the age for the state you currently live in. If you are still underage when they move and gain residency they may still be able to file report until you turn 21. You can always contact the non-emergency law enforcement line for the county they are moving to in order to ask specifically what would happen. We hope this helps. Good luck.
NRS

[Unregistered]

Moving out at 18 in Texas

Im so done with my mom she tells me she dont even want me but yet dont let me leave the house. Can i just leave ? I know where I'm going to go & i know i will be well taken care of. I've been thinking about this since i was 16.
Im 18 but still need one more year for school which i do plan on still going, im also going to have a job.
But if i go can my mom make me stay & call the cops, then be forced to stay?

[ccsmod11]

RE: Moving out at 18 in Texas

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you’ve been coping with a lot and reaching out is a great first step. Given that you are 18 years old, you are legally an adult. Though we’re not legal experts, generally speaking that means your mom could not file a runaway report with the police. To be absolutely sure about that, you can call your local police department’s non-emergency line. That said, it sounds like your education is important to you and that might be something to consider as you create your plan.

Is there anyone nearby you could live with and still attend school? It’s good you’re also thinking about how you might support yourself while in school. If you cannot find a job, are there any friends or family who may be able to provide financial support?
We’re here to talk 24 hours a day at 1800RUNAWAY as you consider your options.

Best of luck and stay safe,
NRS

[anonymous]

can i leave my house at 18

Can i leave my house legally if i do not want to live there anymore? I am from new york and really would love to know. I mean can my mom actually call the cops to bring me back to her house? Im 18 on january 21st

[ccsmod0]

RE: can i leave my house at 18

We’re sorry to hear that you are having troubles at home and want to leave. To answer your question, In New York your mom does have the legal right to report you as a runaway until your 18th birthday. That being said, 17 is a gray area and some police will not pursue you since it is so close to your birthday. But, there is always the chance that you can be made to return home.
You didn’t say the reason you want to leave. If there is abuse in your home, we can help you report that. If you are not getting along, we can try to work with you to come up with a situation you can live with until your birthday. If you leave, we want to help you make the decision for a safe place to go.
We are here for you to talk to anytime 24/7. If you can call us at 1-800-runaway we can talk to you more in depth about your situation and try to work with you to come up with a solution. We are here as an advocate for you and are completely confidential.

[Unregistered]

Turning 18 on November 16th

I am turning 18 on November 16th. I plan on moving in with my boyfriend and his family on November 18th. I wrote my mother a letter explaining my choice, and telling her that I intend to do it with or without her blessing. All she has done so far is make my life a living hell. Our front door locks from both the inside and the outside, and she has been hiding the keys so I can't get out. In addition, she threatens to call the cops unless she can speak with my boyfriend and his mother, both of whom refuse as I already told her the address of the place where I am staying. I do not owe her anything more than that. My boyfriend and I have been together for two years, and this past summer, I told my mother I was going on a sleepover and went to see him in New York. I live in Georgia. I was there for a week, for his prom and his graduation, and my mother didn't know about it. We did not commit any crimes. Lying is not a crime, and flying alone domestically without parental consent isn't illegal either. My ticket was paid for by an adult over 18. Also, we have had sex, but were over the age of consent in BOTH states; 16 here in GA, and 17 in NY. We did not break any rules. She tells me that she will call the cops because she is "concerned about my well being". In actuality, she is terrified of being alone, and because she is hurt that I'm leaving, she's projecting that hurt on me. She keeps telling me that my boyfriend is a "pimp" and that his mother is going to "sell" me and that his stepfather is going to "rape" me. She's called both him and his parents so many foul names. It is disgusting and pathetic. She has also stated that she will kill herself if I leave, and guilt trips me because of her rising blood pressure. I have 9 days left before my birthday and I am miserable. I am scared she will cause me to miss my flight on the 18th on account of not letting me out the door. She says she will settle for a phone call between my boyfriend and his mother, but if I don't do that, she will get law enforcement involved. My boyfriend and his mother would just like to stay out of the drama and I understand that. They are gracious, good people who do not deserve this bull****. So my question is this: I can leave without relenting right? And the cops can't hurt me? I have done nothing wrong. She is not trying to do what's best for me. She just wants to shackle me like she always has. I have dreamed about leaving for such a long time.

[ccsmod2]

re: Turning 18 on November 16th

Hello,

From what you have shared, it sounds like you are really going through a lot with your mom. Your mom seems to be really dependent on your staying at home. Even to the point where she locks you in the house from the inside and outside. And especially if she is saying that she will kill herself if you leave. That can be really difficult to deal with. We want you to know that how your mom feels is not your fault. She will have to deal with those things on her own. If you want to possibly chat with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, you are more than welcome to. You can find them online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org and they may be able to give some advice about what to do when your mom says those things.

We are glad to hear that your boyfriend and his mom are being supportive of you in this situation. That's great that you can reach out to them in your time of need.

We aren't legal experts here, so we can't say specifically if you can leave or not. Every situation is different, and with that a lot of different places treat runaway situations differently. Even though you are 17 right now, there is still potential for you to be taken back home if you leave. Especially if you are still under the age of being a legal adult in your state. For more information about how that would work, you can always reach out to local legal aid services or non emergency police.

You have been thinking of leaving for quite some time, and we are more than happy to discuss any possible options with you. For further support, please remember that you can reach us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) anytime. You can also reach us by chat on our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4:30-11:30pm CST.

We hope to hear from you soon,
NRS

[AcaciaDear]

Leaving at 18 in Alabama

I'm 17 right now and my birthday is in 2 months. I want to leave when I turn 18 but the age of majority in Alabama is 19. I have heard from other people that the cops won't pursue me because I'm 18 but I know my parents will go to the full extent of their power to not let me leave. If I'm 18, will I still be considered a runaway?

[ccsmod0]

RE: Leaving at 18 in Alabama

Hey there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are here to help you and provide you support during this time.

It sounds like you have done your research about leaving and are really thinking about a lot of your options. We are not legal experts here, but 19 is the legal age of majority then at 18 you will still be considered a minor. You mentioned that you heard that at 18 the police won’t pursue a runaway report. One option that you may consider doing is reaching out to your local police department non-emergency number and just asking them questions to gather more specific information here.

We are really glad that you reached out to us here. We want to help you and provide you support as much as possible. We would love to talk with you further about your situation to see how we can best help you. NRS is 24/7 and we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I'm 18 and wanting to move out in Indiana

I will be 18 January 28th. My mom is telling me that she will get me "locked up" if I try moving out. I'm still in high school but I have a job and I have a place to go. I'm not sure if she can get me locked up or report me as a runaway or what ever she is thinking to do to stop me from moving. I have looked it up but all is says that I am allowed to move out at 18 if I want to with out their permission. But like I said my mom is in my ear telling me I can't. I need help seeing if I can move out or not.