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

[Unregistered]

I want to move out

So I'm 18, I live in California and j wanna move out. Will that be alright because shouldn't 18 be considered a legal adult not placed under my parents custody anymore?? But my parents keep telling me not and keeps asking why. Basically my mom keeps lending other people to use her food stamp and won't say no so we barely have any food to eat at home and starve ourselves. My dad is lazy and doesn't wanna find work. I don't wanna stay there anymore because they think I don't understand. So, am I allowed to move out without their consent?

[ccsmod14]

Re: I want to move out

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you have been having a difficult time at home and it’s understandable why you would want to leave. It sounds like you are frustrated with your dad’s lack of motivation to find a job, and your mom’s tendencies to be taken advantage of.

We’re not legal experts, but generally speaking if you leave without consent from legal guardians before the age of 18, they would have the right to make a runaway report. You shared that you are 18, which in most states is the age of a legal adult which means you are in charge of making your own decisions. To be absolutely sure of the age of minority in your state, you can call your local law enforcement and just ask hypothetically. This does not require any identifying information (your first and last name, address, etc.).

Please do not hesitate to call or chat with us to talk further about your situation. We’re here to help as much as we can.

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I'm 18 and expecting a baby and I want to leave my parents house for good.

I'm 18 and I'm 9 weeks along and I was wondering if I could legally move out of my mom's house there is little she can do right?

[ccsmod10]

RE: I'm 18 and expecting a baby and I want to leave my parents house for good.

Hello There!

Thanks for reaching out to us!We thank you for sharing your story on our forum and acknowledge that htis may take great courage on your part. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time right now that you are considering leaving home as the best option for you. We hope that you are staying safe and healthy.
We are not legal experts here, but typically being the age or over what the age of what is considered to be an adult in most states is 18. Meaning, that parents utilizing the police to return you home may not be an option as being an adult means you can legally make the decision of where you would like to live.

If there is any way that we could better support you, you can always call us at 1800-RUNAWAY.

Stay Strong,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Please help, Im 18, I live in CA. I need help

My conscern is, can i call the cops and ask them for an escort so i can grab my things and leave? My mother, she doesnt want me moving out, she has threatened to have me leave my job, and my boyfriend. I was thinking about telling her weeks from now that i was moving out but that didnt plan out like i thought. Now i dont know whether to go to the cops and ask if thats legal, so that they could help me leave. Its not so good where im living currently and my boyfriend has asked me to move out with him and i want too. I just cant unless i have a loophole... I dont have a way to leave especially when my brother has me on lockdown.

[ccsmod15]

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

Thanks for reaching out to us - it takes a lot to take control of your life. Sounds like you want to leave a really unstable living situation. Your mom and brother seem pretty overbearing.

You mentioned that you are 18. In California, that makes you a legal adult and you can make your own life choices. You do not need your mom’s consent to move out of your house and move in with your boyfriend. Regarding helping you leave your current home: you may want to anonymously call the non-emergency number for your local police department and ask if they are able to provide an escort while you are moving out of your house. Since we aren't legal experts, they can also answer any additional questions you may have about local laws. If you think it may be helpful we can do a conference call with us, you, and local law enforcement.

Your mom can try to file a missing person’s report with the local police department if you leave. The local police may or may not accept the report. If she knows where you are and just wants to get you home, they will likely not even consider you a “missing” person. Even if she is able to file a missing person’s report, the police will likely just make contact with you and then tell your mom that you have been “found”. Since you are 18, they will not force you to go back to your current home (and likely not even make you talk to your mom if you do not want to).

If you want to talk in more detail about your options, you are more than welcome to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online at 1800runaway.org. Please take care and good luck.

[Unregistered]

Can I move out if I'm 18 even if I'm adopted

I am so sick of living here. I'm not allowed to do anything not allowed to hang out with friends and I get yelled at for no reason. I'm always home doing nothing it's like I'm in prison. And my bothers and sisters get to go places but I can't. Am I aloud to move out even if I'm adopted. I even have a place to go and to be taking care of. Where I will still go to school. Am I allowed to just go and leave without them makin me come back?

[ccsmod7]

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

Hey there,

We’re sorry to hear that you are feeling limited at home with being able to leave and see your friends. It sounds like you are feeling that there is a double standard between how you are being treated to compare to your siblings.

If a minor leaves home without permission, their parent whether adopted or biological has the option of making a run away report with their police. Running away is not criminal in nature and rarely has any legal consequences, but it would authorize the police to return youth home. Furthermore, sometimes people housing runaways can be at risk for charges known as harboring a runaway. Just something to keep in mind.

Once a minor turns 18, in most states they are no longer considered a minor so the police often do not force people 18 and over to return to their parents. We hope this offers some clarity and that you reach out to us through phone or chat if you have additional things you’d like to talk with us about.

Stay strong,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Does being an 18 year old runaway keep you from going into the military?

Hi, I'm 18 years old and I feel I have limited freedom to do what and go where I wish (plus other personal problems) and was considering running away but my mom was like, "You can't be accepted into the military if you step foot out the house and I report you." So I was wondering if that was actually true.

[ccsmod10]

RE: Does being an 18 year old runaway keep you from going into the military?

Hello There!

Thanks for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It is a great first step to finding the support and help that you may need. It sounds like you are feeling a little restricted with being home. We are not legal experts here, but typically being 18 is when you would be considered an adult. This means that you would be able to legally decide to leave home or join the military independently without the support or permission of your parents or guardians permission. Typically when parents do get police involved that is to file a runaway report, but most states do not take runaway reports for 18 year old individuals. Meaning, there may not be much in your parents power to inhibit you from asserting your independence.

If you wanted to talk more about this or to get any additional support, you can always call us at 1800-RUNAWAY.

Best Wishes,
NRS

[Unregistered]

im 18 and want to runaway

If I tell my mom that I'm leaving and tell her where I'm going can the law in south Africa do anything about it?

[ccsmod6]

Re: im 18 and want to runaway

Hello and thanks for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are based in the United States and unfortunately are not familiar with laws in South Africa. In the US generally an individual must be at least 18 years old to leave home and would not be considered a runaway. It sounds like you're wanting to tell your mom that you are leaving and where you're going which sounds like it can be a good thing especially if your family is supportive of you leaving to be independent. If South Africa laws are similar to the US, there may not be anything that law officials would be able to do if you left without permission since you'd be 18 years old. Perhaps you may check in with local authorities if you are concerned about being reported or getting into trouble.

We hope this helps and wish you luck and safety.

Take care,

NRS

[Unregistered]

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

Hi, I'm 26 and live with my aunt. I have some physical problems but none mentally. Even so, I've learned to get by really good in life but things are real bad at home.
My aunt never cleans or barely does, there's all sorts of filth in the house from old cobwebs to leftover wood from termite problems. She has complete control over my
disability check but restricts what I can eat mostly because of her views on health. My twin brother has less health issues according to doctors yet it seems like I'm
healthier cause' I'm round and about so much it's like there's nothing wrong with me. Yet, she refuses to let me live on my own and I feel like maybe running away. I'm
well off when planning things financially, and planned a whole trip to Georgia from Bonita Springs on my bike, planning everything based on how much I need to eat,
where to sleep, how long to ride before breaks, clothes, medications, everything. What can I do? Please, I've been stuck here for over 10 years and even though my aunt
knows I'm unhappy she won't listen.

[ccsmod6]

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

Hi there,

Thanks for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It sounds like you've been feeling stuck for quite some time. You seem to have an idea for leaving and have been trying to figure out a plan to get away. We are a youth-focused crisis services for individuals under the age of 21. We aren't really able to tell you what to do, however, it may be helpful to explore all possible options before making a final decision such as exploring how you can become your own payee so that you have income, where you will go and how you will take care of yourself, and most importantly how you will remain safe all throughout. Perhaps you have someone closer near you that you may turn to for support as you mentioned planning to bike ride quite a distance but that may pose a risk as you mentioned you have some physical problems.

We hope you are safe in your decision and wish you well.

Take care,

NRS

[Unregistered]

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

Thank you for replying. My mom has tried really hard to get me away from my aunt, and I believe she's tried a whole lot of things, even went to a lawyer and was
told that my aunt was the only one with the legal standing to choose whether I stay or go. As with the physical issues, it's mainly eye and hearing problems, but
I've gotten so used to those that they don't hinder me anymore.