17 year old runaway turning 18

[Unregistered]

re: im out but can the person i'm living with gets punished

We’re so glad that you found the National Runaway Switchboard to reach out to. It sounds like things are difficult with your mom right now. It must be difficult to be put out by her and not feel like she is responding when you try to contact her. Have you ever talked with her before about how you are feeling? You mentioned that you feel uncomfortable in your own home. Have you expressed those thoughts to her before?

It’s great that you have a safe place to stay right now and we are glad that you have your friend as a support system. If your situation changes and you need shelter or if you would like support in communicating with your mom, you can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY 24 hours a day. Otherwise, we’re also available via live chat at 1800runaway.org from 4:30-11:30pm CST. Thanks again for contacting us and please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Looking forward to hearing from you.

[Unregistered]

18 year old pregnant engaged runaway.

Hi, I was 16 when I ran away from a dhr group home and I am now 18 years old. I am also pregnant and engaged. Also that was not my first time running away from she's custody. They treated me and my siblings so horribly. The workers, the foster parents, the psychologists, and the group home personnel. I was wondering if I was to try to get my drivers license or g.e.d. or even go to the doctor, would they/could they put me in juvinelle hall again for the night and return me to dhr? I ran away in Alabama by the way. Please any help would be greatly appreciated.!

[ccsmod0]

RE: 18 year old pregnant engaged runaway.

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you’re going through a lot of transitions right now, so it was smart of you to reach out for some support. It seems like you’ve had a hard past and you’re trying to move forward with your life. Let’s see if we can help you find the answers you need.

Although we are not legal experts, the age of majority – or the age where a person is legally considered an adult – in Alabama is 19 years old. When you turn 19 you would have a different set of rights that you would have under the age of 19. Now, it is not clear if you could get in trouble with the law for running away when you were 16. If you want, you can call the Legal Services of Alabama at 251-433-6560. Or you can check out their website at www.legalservicesalabama.org. They might be able to help you out with some more of your specific questions.

If you’d like to talk through some more options or get some more resources feel free to contact us at anytime at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). If calling isn’t your thing, you can chat with us on our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4:30pm-11:30pm Central Standard Time. We hope this helps and feel free to contact us 24/7.

Looking forward to hearing from you and good luck!

NRS

[Unregistered]

17 year old trying to find a way out...

Hey, im 17 and for the last few week my life has really sucked, my parents found out that i smoke ( i have now decided to quit).. but they have gone overboard with punishment... Like they threw away all the art that ive painted and drawn over my entire life away along with all my awards. they went to the place that i worked and told my boss that i quit and they liquidated my bank account. theyre about to take me out of school ( by the way im a senior and about to graduate)... They also took many of the intruments (that they didnt buy) away... They beat me repeatidly with a plastic tube (my dad said it was a torture weapon in vietnam), i have pictures of the various bruises... I understand that they are upset but its really hard to deal with.............. ( i do not mean to offend anyone) i am not a christian, but they shove the religion down my throat... I mean like, i wouldnt mind going to church and stuff, but i have to read the bible every day (and only what they tell me to read) they leave audio books playing in my room of the bible that im not allowed to turn off... I want to just leave until my birthday in july, i have many friend with whom i am well connected with but how am i going to finish high school... Im almost done and i dont want to quit, because that can really be bad for my future...

[ccsmod0]

RE: 17 year old trying to find a way out...

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. Wow, it seems like you’re going through so much right now. It sounds like your parents are really strict that they have stepped over the line. You definitely do not deserve to be beaten or treated less than in any way. It sounds like you are a very thoughtful young adult, with a bright future, so it is wrong for you to be treated that way by your parents.

So there are a few options for you. One, you are able to make an abuse report with your county. Since you have pictures of your injuries, it is more likely that they will intervene. That’s something you can do on your own, or if you’d like, you can call in and we can help you with that. You can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Have you told anyone else about what’s going on at your house? It can be important to think of someone that can help and intervene if things escalate or get unmanageable.

It can also be important to think about where you would stay if you decided to leave your house. Some questions to think about are, would you still be able to go to school? Would the family of your friend allow you to stay at their place?

I would encourage you to call us as well. We would be able to help you talk through some options that you have, as well as provide you with some resources and support. It seems like you have a lot of stuff going on, but that you have a smart attitude. Keep your head up, we really wish you the best of luck.

We are looking forward to hearing from you,

NRS

[Unregistered]

17 year old tryiing to find a way out...

The only thing is, my parents were pretty cool before this whole situation...(well my mom has always been kinda mean and a little intimadating(scary)) I dont want them to get in trouble or anything...but i know that they arent going to change from the way they are right now... ( they promised me that) i have a really amazing friend, we've been best friends since 6th grade and weve been through a lot together, and today my dad told him that " the way to show that a dad cares is by beating the tar out of his son"...when my father walked away, my friend and i looked at eachother in amazement that someone could really think that (serious) violence is a way to show love... On the other hand, theyve done so much for me in the past and ide one day like to returen the favor, but i cant start on any career were i am... I want to get emancipated, but in Texas i have to have a job, a place to live and not to mention parental consent... I just want to leave and finish highschool... But it sucks because i dont know if i can do that while keeping a relationship with my parents... I mean like, i wouldnt care if they were the worst parents in the world, i would still love them... Thats why i dont want to embaress them or cost them a bunch of legal fees and stuff... Btw.. u guys are amazing, ive never written on anything like this (heck i dont even write on my facebook wall) but i saw how many people that youve helped, and i have faith that u can help me find a way past this... Thank you...

[ccsmod6]

re: 17 year old tryiing to find a way out...

Hi:

Thanks for getting back in touch with the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your parents’ behavior changed dramatically after this incident. A lot of youth express the same concern of not wanting to get their parents into trouble. Filing a child abuse report is definitely optional. We do not want you to do anything that you do not want to. It is just very unfortunate that you have to be subjective to such maltreatment. You are so close to finishing high school and you should have the right to finish and graduate from high school. It sounds like you have a lot of tough decisions to make. Well we thank you for reaching out for our support. If you feel comfortable enough to speak with someone over the phone, that would be great. We are very supportive and can provide you with a listening as well as resources. We hope that all of this comes to pass for you. Remember if you feel like your immediate safety is at risk that you can dial 9-11 for assistance. In addition, we can also help you locate a safe place if needed.

Our hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY) is available 24/7 and it’s anonymous, confidential, and toll-free. We also have Live Chat services that are available from 4:30pm to 11:30pm CST. We would like to wish you the best of luck.

Take Care
~NRS

[just another teen]

almost 18

My friend has a a stalker I guess you could say and well he is really crazy he threatens her and calls her horrible names well now he has really gone crazy and is threatening calling her parents and threatening to tell well she cut her phone line and that's gives her a week to figure out what she is ganna do before the phone gets fixed her parents are really strict and kinda abussive I mean she has never even had a sleep over or gone to a friends she is beautful and skinny and her parents constantly call her ugly and fat and call her a loser and such well they don't like her but they won't let her leave I'm her best friend and I'm alraedy 18 she plans on moving in with me when she turnes 18 but that is still two months away and if this crazy guy tells. On her they are ganna send her to a booycamp or something she is terrified and this guy has even threatened to kill her I know and she does to that she should call the police but then her parents would find out and she just can't do that I'm scared for her this guy is ganna ruin her life and he has even threatened me I just wanna know in the state of mississippi if she runs away at 17 and will be 18 in two months will they force her to come back or will she get in trouble and will I or the person I live with get in trouble for letting her stay with us any information will be great

[ccsmod8]

re: Almost 18

Hi and thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your friend is going through some really difficult times and might be in an unsafe situation. It’s understandable that she might feel uncomfortable calling the police, but that is one option that is certainly available if she is at risk of harm. It must be really difficult for her to not feel like she has much support at home and that her parents aren’t there for her. It’s great that you care so much about your friend and are doing what you can to help.

It’s understandable that your friend might feel like leaving to escape from the danger she feels she is in. You have a really good question about what might happen if she does leave while she is 17. Although we are not legal experts, we can tell you that in most places, she is still considered a minor and could have a runaway report filed by her parents if she leaves without permission. While her being a runaway is often considered a status offense, if she were to stay with you, you could be at risk of legal harm for harboring a runaway. If you have more questions about laws specific to your community, you can always call your local police department through the non-emergency line. If you would like any other resources or information, we would be glad to connect you with referrals from our database. You can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us from 4:30-11:30pm CST.

Best wishes,
-NRS

[Katalyst]

My brother is a runaway

My brother has run away from rehab. He's nearly 18 and I'm worried about what will happen to him when and if he is found.

[ccsmod6]

re: My brother is a runaway

Hi

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear about what is going on with your brother. It is hard to tell you what exactly will happen if and when he is found. It may depend if your brother is involved with the judicial system. If your brother is not and is only listed as a runaway, then he should not face any legal consequences. Generally speaking, running is not illegal and most runaways when found are reunited with family members.

You may also contact your local non emergency hotline for your police department or a legal aid organization to try and get a more specific answer.

You can always give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) for additional resources. Our hotline is available 24/7 and it is confidential, anonymous, and toll-free. In addition to our hotline, you can get in touch with us via Live Chat between 4:30pm and 11:30pm CST.

Best Wishes
~NRS

[Unregistered]

im currently pregnant and a runaway

Hi, i recently became 17 and im pregnant with my first child. I ranaway from home bc my sister,my mom,and i got into a physical altercation. At fist it was me and my sister fighting. I called my mom to come get her off me bc im not really a fighter. My mom said that either we could leave or we could talk things out. I decided to leave. As i left the living room my mom choked me to the point where i coupd hardly breathe. I left the house bc i didnt think it was safe to raise my child there. Can you please help me???

[ccsmod2]

RE: im currently pregnant and a runaway

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us about what is going on. It sounds like you are in a very stressful situation right now and it was very brave of you to reach out to us. Hopefully we can help you find somewhere safe to go and some resources that can provide you with additional support.

It sounds like you and your sister got into an argument yesterday that became physical. It also sounds like you tried to leave in order to go to a safe place and your mom became physical with you. Has this ever happened before? One thing that you can do is to file a report with Child Protective Services; generally what happens is that they will take the report and then do an investigation in order to make a decision. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you what specifically will happen if you were to do this. If you would like to make a report or explore this option further, you can give us a call here at anytime.

You said that you left your house yesterday after your mom choked you because you didn’t feel that it was a safe environment. Do you feel safe where you are now? If you are in need of a safe place to go, please give us a call here and we can help you locate somewhere. We can also talk about other options that you may have.

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are a confidential and anonymous hotline for youth so you can call us anytime at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST), 7 days a week. The chat can be found on our website (www.1800RUNAWAY.org).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!

~NRS

[Unregistered]

17 and a Teen mom

Hi, I'm 17 turning 18 in 6 months and I just recently had a baby 6 weeks ago. He has no birth certificate for him because my mother would not give me my social number. I live in Chicago, IL.
My bf is 18. And is currently in school and is working.
But I'm not because I'm way too far behind to finish highschool because of attendance and it is hard for minors to get jobs once school starts.
Last night 8/13/13 my mother and stepfather drug me out of the car and took my son.
I returned to my bf's house and his mother called the police.
The police returned me to my mothers home because I am a minor.
But if I leave again they will not return me.
She isn't able to take my son and I am able to file charges because that is kidnapping in chicago.
The police did not mention anything about them dragging me out of the car.
I haven't taken any legal actions. But I am thinking about it.
I have a past history of "running away" bored line kicked out.
Now that I'm a mother I want to do what's in my sons best interest.
I don't know if I should wait out the six months til myself and his father are able to take care of him on our own and keep going through physical and verbal abuse or just leave to better myself for my son.

[ccsmod5]

RE:17 and a Teen mom

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

We’re sorry to hear that your family isn’t allowing you to raise your child how you feel like you need to raise your child. It’s gotta be difficult to not only have to give your time and energy to your newborn but also to your family crisis, education, employment, etc.

Moving to another home without parent permission might make it more difficult for you, your baby and the person you’re staying with . If you wanted to avoid legal consequences and issues, you’d have to get permission to live elsewhere.

If you’re looking for some sort of intervention or a place to go, there is a service for 17 year olds called Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS). They help youth and families facilitate options like housing and crisis intervention without involving social services. You can call them directly at 1877-870-2663. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can let them know that you live in Chicago and you don’t want to be home anymore.

We hope that helps and if you’d like to explore other options that are available to you, please call us at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We’re anonymous, confidential and available 24/7.

We hope to hear from you soon.
NRS