17 year old runaway turning 18

hi, i'm 15 years old and wanting to run away. i need to get out of my grandma because of my aunt and uncle. if i run away and don't return back till i'm 18, will i go to jail when i return? or if i get found before i turn 18 will i go to juvi?

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks fro reaching out.

It sounds like you’re going through a lot right now, but we commend you for being wise enough to reach out! From the sounds of things, it looks like you’re scared you’re going to lose your baby because you don’t have a stable home and your mother has had issues with CPS before. We’re really sorry to hear you’re going through that, the idea of losing one’s child has got to be overwhelming.

To answer your question regarding CPS, yes they can take away someone’s child after the parent turns 18. However, CPS does not seek to remove a child from its parent unless CPS finds the parent is neglecting or endangering their child. Based on the information you provided, it sounds like you’re trying to protect your child and are living with your boyfriend to provide your child with a better life. However, without knowing more about your situation and your mother’s previous issues with CPS, it is hard to say what next steps CPS might take. Given this, we’d recommend you calling us at 1-800-Runaway to be able to talk this through further. Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are always available to talk through your situation and try and help you come up with the best, safest plan of action. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number is 1-800-Runaway. Call anytime.

Turning 18 in 2 weeks
i have a baby and CPS took away my sisters from my mother and i know i'm next, i'm living with my boyfriend for a better life because i got kicked out by my moms boyfriend i really don't want to be taken away too. i'm scared and i would really appreciate it if someone would answer this question for me... can CPS take my child and i after i turn 18?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I live in Washington and I will be 18 in 43 days.

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are with dilemma about complying with your mother’s wishes or facing the possibility of being told you have to come home.
We are not legal experts at NRS you might consider contacting your local police department’s non-emergency number to ask about any consequences you might face legally by choosing to disobey your mother’s wishes.
If you would like to speak more about your situation please call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org (Live chat).

Hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
L.M.

I live in Washington and I will be 18 in 43 days. My mom has let me live at my friend's house since June 6, 2017. She keeps threatening to make me come home if I don't do what she wants (nothing bad) but if I tell her no and no that I won't come home what can happen to me and the people I'm staying with?

[ccsmod0]

Hello,
We know that you mentioned that you are not planning on leaving home before 18 but please keep in mind that you do not deserve to be mistreated abuse whether it’s physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, it is never okay and you do not deserve it and do have the right to report it. We want you to know that you do have the right to make a report with Child Protective Services. Child Help USA is an information and referral line that can connect you with your local CPS abuse hotline. That number is 1-800-422-4453. If you ever felt like making a report or needed help, we are here to assist with that. We understand that making an abuse report can be intimidating so if you like we can call together to provide support.
It is great that you are looking into your options for housing. The only places like the ones you have mentioned would be youth shelter. Since this is a public platform we cannot give you the information here but if you are able to call us we can look into that for you. You are special and people care about you. You deserve to be in a safe place where you feel safe. We want to give you as many options as possible so you can make the best decision for you. If you would like to talk more about what’s going on you are more than welcome to give us a call anytime 1-800-786-2929
Best wishes,
NRS

Hello,
I'm 17 rn and a junior in high school. I live with my step mother who is fine but my dad is freaking insane and hates me and is emotionally, verbally and physically abusive. I've developed insecurities and anxiety and struggle with self esteen because of him. I dont want to run away while still a minor; i want to move out the moment im 18. I dont think my parents will care whether or not i move out, seeing as how my dad told me that he wants me out of "his" house as soon as possible. Hoever, ill still have to be in school, and i doubt i can get a job that i can support myself with. I dont want to go live with a friend as i would be a burden, and im not dating anyone who would be able to rent a place with me. Is there a place that houses teens in situations like me that i may be able to live at for a year?

[ccsmod0]

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to write to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are having some issues at your group home and are considering running away. While we are not legal experts we not say what the laws are regarding running away. To our knowledge if you were to run away from your group home and had any interaction with the police they would return you to your group home.
Another option is to contact your social services case worker, you might let them know you are unhappy at your current placement. They might be able to find you a different placement. If you are being harmed at your placement you do have the right to report that abuse to child protective services. If that is your situation, you might reach out to Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 to learn more about what reporting could look like for you. If you would like to talk more about what is going on and your options you are more than welcome to give us a call any time.
We hope this information helps
Best,
NRS

I am 17 and i was curious will i get in trouble for running away from my group home if i am almost 18 . I will turn 18 in four month.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I ran away from my guardian at age 17


Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Some situations can be confusing thus making things uncertain about what to do or where to turn.
If you are in question about your legal status perhaps you might consider seeking legal counsel about the situation. We do understand your apprehension.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org.

Again tell us what it is you would like us to help you with and we will be happy to explore some options with you.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

I ran away from my guardian at age 17 in January 2017 and my probation officer put a warrant out on me . I turned 18 June 29th . And I called today and ask my Po did they dismiss my case because I payed my probation fine and he told me I was supposed to be off After I payed it . So he told me to come in Monday and I will have to go to court and he will tell the judge to dismiss it . He wanted me to come today but I have no rode there . Something don’t sound right about this . I feel like he is trying to detain me cause I ran away in January and he was suppose to detain me in January soooooo . I’m confused here

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. It sounds really unfair that your grandmother is forcing you to go live with her after you were miserable in your care and your uncle tried to gain custody of you. It sounds like left home a couple months ago, and you were wondering what could happen if you were found before you turn 18.
It sounds like you were feeling like you might kill yourself if you stayed with your grandma. Here at NRS, we are concerned for you safety. Please reach out to us or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline if you are ever in need of support at 1-800-273-8255. Your life has infinite value and you deserve to be supported through this.
So your guardian has the right to file a runaway report for you if you leave home before you turn 18 in Florida. If your grandmother does not have custody of you, your dad might be the one who has to file that for you. Running away is typically more of a status offense, meaning something you cannot do due to your age, rather than being illegal. Typically if you are found by police after being filed as a runaway you would be returned home. Who could get in trouble is the legal adult you are staying with; they are at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway if you are found there. Sometimes local police handle 17 year old runaway cases, so you might call your local non-emergency police number and ask what their protocol is for 17 year old runaway youth.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat us if you would like help brainstorming your options. You so deserve to be supported through this difficult time and we truly want to help. If you are in an unsafe place right now, please contact us so we can help you find a safe place. You might also reach out to www.nationalsafeplace.com if you ever need to. Your safety and wellbeing is our top priority.

Be safe and we wish you the best!

-NRS

Im 17 turning 18 in 3 months. I ran away june 29th bc i wad tired of the verbal abuse and being forced to things i didnt wanna do. My dad kicked me out about 6 months ago anf made me live with my grandmother. Shr let me live with my uncle for a few months untill they tried getting custody of me. Them she made me go back to her home and i was miderable and wanted to kill myself. Can i get into trouble if i get caught before i turn 18. I live in florida.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there! Please see our response to your similar post above (post #295).

Please call or chat us for legal resources!

-NRS

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you got a disturbing the peace charge, and you are wondering if you could runaway until you are 18 and then have it expunged.

We are not legal experts so we cannot answer your question with certainty; especially because laws change state-by-state. Typically, if you are charged as a juvenile it would not stay go on your criminal record or you could expunge it. However, if you avoid your court date we do not know if that means you could be charged as an adult or if you could be faced additional consequences at 18. While we are not legal experts, if you call or chat us we can direct you to local legal aid resources that could better answer your questions.

We look forward to hearing from you so we can give you those resources and best help. We are sorry we were unable to answer your question.

Be safe,

NRS