runaway 17 year old.

[Anon]

This might be long, but I figured more in depth would be easier. I am 17 years old, I have graduated highschool, and I am a runaway.. The past 8 years of my life has been hell, my dad is extremely abusive. I have different rules then the rest of my siblings.. My dad has held a gun to my boyfriends head all because he took my virginity when I was sixteen. I have two older sister, both have two children under 3 years. Another thing is one of my sister's just got a job. (This will be her third week) the day she went in for training, she also started her job.9:30am-8:30pm. She did not expect to be working but asked if I wouldn't mind watching the kids a little longer. The older kid, penny was begging me for food so I asked my dad if we could make some chicken nuggets (I should also mention my dad doesn't buy easy make stuff, only ingredients for food, but only he is allowed to cook.) Anyways, he persisted to yell at me about how using the oven ruins his "work area" and makes it unbearably hot. Then told me about how I was lazy and that I needed to get off my ass and start cleaning. Not even a week after that my friend came to pick me up and she accidentally parked a little far into the drive way causing my dad to have to turn around to pull out. Later on my friend and I got indirectly threatened. His exact words were "Me having to turn around in my own ********ing drive way makes me want to shoot the car and its owner that is in my way." Also, I have no support, he wouldn't allow me to get my license, but when I ask him for rides he tells me I'm a dumbass for not getting my permit and that I need to just have my boyfriend do it. He told me that when I get a job I need to start paying rent, which to me sounds like an open door. I should also add he has no job. He is living at my grandmas house, using her social security check as his own income. Its a two bedroom, fixer-upper shack, I have a bedroom, my grandma has a bedroom, my brother sleeps on the couch, my sister her boyfriend and two kids crash in the living room and my dad sleeps in a semi trailer in the back yard.. Anyways, what are my consequences?

[ccsmod5]

Re: runaway 17 year old.

Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Sounds like you’re going through an intense time right now. We’ll try and help out as best we can.

We tried to go back and catch what state you’re in because the laws vary from state to state but for now we’ll go with the general rule of thumb for ‘age of majority’.

The legal age of adulthood in most states is 18. That means that you’re not allowed to decide where you get to live without permission. If you do leave home without permission, your father has the option of filing a runaway report on your with the police. That’s usually called a ‘status offense’ and it mostly means your name will be filed in a computer that you’re somewhere where you’re not supposed to be. SOMETIMES the police do go to homes of places where you may be staying but that’s a low possibility.

Since you’re 17, some states don’t hassle youth too much with being runaways (MI and TX are some of those states). But it might be good to know if you’ve even been filed as a runaway or even call a non-emergency police dept and inquire about the legal age of majority and at what age can you move out.

I know those are round-about answers but it’s difficult to figure this stuff out when we’re not sure where you live. The best way to figure out what options might be available to you is to call in and speak with a crisis liner. That way we can talk back and forth about your situation and try and provide you with some idea on what you can do next.

We’re anonymous, confidential and available 24/7. Please call us at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) whenever you’re able and willing. We’re here to help and here to listen.

NRS