17 year old runaway turning 18

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RE: Im a 17 year old

Hi,

Thanks for contacting us tonight. It sounds like you are going through so much with your dad right now. We’re sorry that he treats you that way. You absolutely, no questions asked, don’t deserve to be hurt by him (or anyone). You seem like you know how to reach out for some help, so we want to make sure we can help you the best we can.

We aren’t legal experts here, but we are able to talk about some potential legal outcomes of this situation. You are right that your dad has the right to decide where you live. However, he is also responsible to care for you. If he isn’t do that (which it doesn’t sound like he is), then CPS should be stepping in to get involved. Is it possible that they haven’t contacted you because it’s the weekend? In Arizona, there is a 24 hour reporting line for abuse. If CPS has already been involved, you could contact them to see where they are with your case. You can call them at 888-767-2445.

Also, unless you are on probation or parole, it is not illegal for you to run away. That means you would not be arrested for running away. If your dad filed you as a runaway, and the police found you, they would force you to return back home. Now, since the police have already been involved and you turn 18 in a month, it is unlikely that they would force you to return.

We hope that this information helps. If you have any questions about what we talked about above or you want to talk through anything else, you can call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are confidential and anonymous. If you can’t call in, you can chat with us through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm Central Time.

We look forward to your call or chat.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

Im a 17 year old

I need legal advice. I'm 17 years old turning 18 in December and live in Arizona. Today is November 2nd. Okay so Thursday October 31st my dad whipped me with a belt, leaving a bruise. He yelled at me to get out, so I did. I went down the street cried and went back for shoes. When I went back for shoes my dad threatened to beat me up like he's gonna do to my boyfriend, while he's threatening me he's holding a bat, screaming at me to get off his property. He backed me out of the driveway swinging the bat. I went down the street again after retrieving my shoes from across the street where my dad threw them, and cried. A former teacher from 8th grade stopped and called the cops, while my former school counselor called CPS. The cops showed up and took me back home. The next day Friday November 1st, me and my 19 year old brother got into a physical fist fight. CPS had showed up saying they were gonna investigate him because of what I said, but I told her nothing about my brother, I only told her about what my dad did the day before and what he's done in the past. For a year and a half my dads emotionally and mentally abused me, and sometimes on rare occasion physically. CPS did nothing Friday. So here I am not knowing what to do. My boyfriends mom said I can stay with her, but how do I stay with her if my dad won't let me, and I gave CPS her name to background check her so I could stay with her but CPS never did. How do I stay with my boyfriends mom legally. As of right now I'm considered a runaway. I've emailed Arizona's General Attorney, Tom Horne about my situation, but who knows if he'll get to it in time. Please help me! Please answer as soon as possible.

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RE: 16 , turning 18

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us about what’s going on. Sometimes, talking to people and asking for help can be incredibly difficult; it was very brave of you to take the first steps. Now, we aren’t legally trained here so we can’t say for sure what would happen if you left home but we can give you some general ideas. You can also call us at anytime if you would like to talk further or if you would like to receive some resources that can continue to help you.

It sounds like you are thinking of leaving home and will turn 18 in June. Again, we aren’t legally trained but it is our general understanding that in most states the age of majority is 18; that means that once you turn 18, your parents are no longer responsible for you and you are considered to be an adult. What that could mean is that once you turn 18, you probably would not have to return home to your parents. But, your parents will probably be considered responsible for you until you turn 18 which may mean they have the right to file a runaway report with the police. Do you think they would do that?

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are a confidential and anonymous crisis line so you can call us at anytime if you would like to talk more about what’s going on and to explore options that may be available to you. Our toll free hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); we also have online chat services that are available from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST) if you would rather talk with us that way. Those can be found on our website (www.1800runaway.org).

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

~NRS

16 , turning 18

Hello . Im 17 now and i will soon be 18 in june and i was wondering once i turn 18 will there be any consequences and do i need to still report back to my parent after i turn 18 even though ill be considered legal i left at an unlegal age ?

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RE: im 17 and a runaway

Hello,
Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.
We are not legal experts at NRS therefore we are not at liberty to tell you what might or could happen with your legal situation once you turn 18 years of age.
Have you or your parents considered speaking with an attorney about your Juvenile court case?
The probation department in your county may also be able to offer information to your parents about the status and or terms of your case.

We hope that you are able to come to a positive resolution to your situation.
Good Luck,
NRS