Thank you for reaching out to us. You described a really tough situation with your mom. It sounds like you are feeling really stressed out working two jobs on top of babysitting, and you are frustrated that she took you out of school at such a young age without your consent. This all has to be so tough when you would rather be at your boyfriends house. We are really glad that you opened up and told us all of this and we are here to help you. You mentioned a few things that you are concerned about. It sounds like because you are so unhappy at home, you want to go and live with your boyfriend and his family. It is understandable that you would worry about them getting in trouble. If your parents were to file a runaway report and the police were to come to your boyfriends home, they might be required to take you home. Also, the police might charge your boyfriends family with “harboring a runaway” which can have varying consequences. Although we are not legal experts, you are correct that it is illegal to take a child out of school in 6th grade without any structured homeschooling. If a youth is deemed truant (not attending school) then the police could intervene and possibly take you into custody. With that said, this may not be the case for you since your mom took you out of school to homeschool you. One thing you could do would be to go to your local district school, where you would go if you weren't homeschooled, and talk to a school counselor there. You can let them know you are concerned and see if there is a test you can take to see if you are at the same level as your peers. You have a right to be educated at your age and you deserve to focus on yourself and your education instead of over working and living in an unhappy home. If you have more legal questions, you can tell us the city or county you are contacting us from in Indiana and we can find you some Legal Aid services. Legal professionals can answer your questions more specifically. If you want to discuss options or want to call some resources together please feel free to contact us through our online instant chat system through our website (4:30pm – 11:30pm CST) or call our confidential and anonymous hotline number, open 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUN-AWAY. We really encourage you to talk with us more so that we can help you further. Thanks for contacting us and good luck.
~NRS
-
Seriously thinking about running away
I'm 16, will be turning 17 in a little over a month. I live with my mother who has full custody over me.. im thinking about just leaving and moving in with my boyfriend and his family. My mother has a 1 1/2 baby who she makes me babysit everyday whenever she decides to leave, and on top of that she forced me to get a job so i couldnt see my boyfriend. my job currently isnt working me that much because im new but now she wants me to get a SECOND job that works me 6 days a week on top of babysitting and juggling my first job. Im tired of her ruling my life and making me so depressed i dont even wanna get out of bed. she calls me lazy and says i dont do anything when i practically raise her child plus work. She took me out of school when I was in 6th grade and technically hasnt had me in a steady homeschool program since, so she screwed me out of getting an education. I want to move in with my boyfriend and his family but im just concerned if she would call the cops on me and have them bring me home? and if my boyfriend and his family would get into trouble for letting me stay with them? im not sure if she would call the cops or not because of me not being in school, what exactly would happen to her if the state found out i havnt been in school? oh i live in indiana btw
Leave a comment: