What will happen if I ran away and get caught

[Guest]

So I'm staying at my aunts place for the summer but things are getting out of hand with my aunt and I and I was wondering what would happen if I ran away from there and if I get caught. I usually live with my mom so would I be sent back to her or would they just send me back to my aunts place. I'm 17 btw so yes if I do get caught I'll be given warning (I think?) My aunt lives in WA and my mom and I lives in ID but my mom can't get me for reasons. And I don't have anyone else to ask for help so yeah can you tell what exactly wpuld happen when I get caught?

[ccsmod2]

Hey,

Thanks for your question. We aren't able to tell you exactly what exactly will happen if you run away and get caught but we can speak generally. In most cases, if you run away your parent/guardian/relative can file a runaway report for you. It is possible for you to be sent back to where you came from. We don't know whether that will be back to your moms house or to your aunts house. You could try contacting the non emergency police in your area for more information on that.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

My home life sucks, I've reached out to the police for help, and my therapist. I'm being abused at home by my family, but no one has taken me seriously even though I have evidence supporting me. Not even the judicial system believes me. My parents are divorced and its 50/50 with each parent, both treat me like ********. I'm 15 and I have enough money to leave with my friend. What happens if I get caught? My mom is a master manipulator, and so is my dad. I dont want to live with them anymore and I feel like if I spend another day at (my parents live separately) the houses, I might try to end my life. I've ended up in the hospital 3 times because no one listened to my cries for help. Please help

[ccsmod11]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline- you’re already doing the right thing by asking for help. It sounds like you’ve been experiencing a lot of trauma lately at the hands of your family members- nobody deserves that and it’s totally understandable that to feel distressed. You wrote about having a desire at times to end your own life. We want you to know that your life is valuable. If you are ever feeling suicidal and want to talk to someone, don't hesitate to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They are always there to listen and to support you. Abuse is an extremely difficult situation for someone to handle and you shouldn’t have to put up with it. Sometimes talking to a loved one, close friend, teacher, or therapist can really help. On the other hand, healthy coping mechanisms like listening to music, drawing or painting, exercising, or sleeping can take your mind away from the immediacy of what’s going on. We’re here for you too.

Though we are not legal experts, we can provide some general information. Because you are not considered an adult, your parents will have the option to file a runaway report on your behalf. Running away is not illegal; it is considered a status offense. This means that it is wrong to do because of your age. If your parents file a runaway report and you have any interaction with the police, you can expect to be returned home. As you consider running away, there are many details you may want to consider. Things like where you would stay, what might happen if things don’t go as planned, how you will (or will not) keep in touch with your parents, or who you would contact if you don’t feel safe are all important. We are always here to talk about any of these things or even just chat about what’s going on at home. However we can help, we are here for you 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

We wish you all and only the best.
NRS

[Guest]

In every comment you reply on...you always have to clarify that your not a legal expert. If your not a legal expert...what are you doing working on this hotline?

[ccsmod6]

Hello, and thank you for bringing up your concern! At the NRS, we work to connect youth in a wide variety of different crises with the appropriate tools and resources. We are a national hotline, so our liners are trained to serve youth all over the country. While there are procedures that are generally followed across the board, laws and how police handle particular situations can differ from state to state and even from precinct to precinct. If a youth does require precise legal information, we are proud to be able to provide referrals to legal services and youth advocacy groups that serve the youth’s area.

[Guest]

i am in foster care. i have been for 4 years and both my parents signed their rights away. my foster home i am in now are threatening to send me away to this residential care for foster kids and they are saying i’m leaving today. i want to run away before i have to go. would it be a good idea to stay with my biological mom?

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. From what we gather about your story that is up to you. We know that you know your situation the best and would say that if you feel it’s necessary to go live with her then that is your decision. However know that if you belong to the state they will look in obvious place such as your parent’s home or someplace they know you might go. 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); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

my girlfriend is in a bad place and i really want to help but i don’t know how. she’s 14. her grandma adopted her and she lives with her grandma and aunt. her grandma is really controlling and she constantly puts her down. she says things like “you’re a disappointment” and “you’re a failure” and other bad things that make her feel terrible. today she had seizure testing and she has a terrible fear of needles and when they wanted to prick her finger for blood sugar levels she had a panic attack and her grandma grabbed her arm and pulled her towards her and called her a disappointment and a failure in front of the doctor and before her grandma took her phone away she said “don’t you dare text anyone painting me as the bad guy.” her aunt is basically controlled by her grandma but if her grandma isn’t around her and her aunt have a good time and are happy. her grandma doesn’t believe that she does anything wrong. i personally believe that she should runaway but we’re afraid whoever she goes to will get arrested to charged. we live in california so she won’t get any charges we don’t know what to do any we need help

[ccsmod7]

Please see our response to your similar post:

"Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that your girlfriend is faced with right now at home and you’re wanting to find a way to help her as get away from her grandma and the mistreatment. It’s great that your girlfriend has support and concern from you especially since this time is quite difficult for them. If you give her our information we can talk through her situation and brainstorm her options with her, she might be able to report the mistreatment. We also can look for safe places near her if she needs to leave.

Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org.

We’re here to listen and to help and hope you or your friend can reach out soon.

Take care,

NRS"

[Guest]

Hi I’m 13 and I life with my mom . I go to my dads house every other weekend and I love it there. My mom is manipulating And wants everyone to take pity for her. She has emotionally abused me for years and sometimes has even physicaly. I want to run away and go to my friends house . My dads house would be to noticalble but I live and Texas and I don’t want to get my friends mom in trouble so I need help I want to go anywhere besides be with my mom so help me please

[ccsmod9]

Hello,

You mentioned some things that raise concern for your safety and well-being. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. We are not experts on the issue, but generally once it's been reported, social services will either decide whether or not to take the case and further investigate. If they do take the case, they will send out someone from child protective services to do an investigation (interviewing people in the household) and from there they will decide the level of danger within the household. It generally ranges from no danger (the youth stays in the home, some services are given, and the case is closed), moderate danger (they will provide family services with possible temporary displacement) and high danger (they will remove the youth from the home and offer certain services). This means that if they find your mom to be abusive is that the next person in line to take care of you would be your dad and therefore you would go to him before anyone else.

If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

Please be safe and reach out soon by phone or chat so that we may help.
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I can't find my brother we tried looking for him he has been gone for 3 years and 8 months (Since 201 January 2018 to August 2019

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. 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); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

if i run and i get caught can i get send to djj

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out. We aren’t legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if you do opt to leave your home your parents (or guardians) can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned home. If you are currently on parole or probation, you may want to speak with your PO directly to see if running away would violate the terms of parole/probation.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

So I have been grounded for about 6 months and I have had some thoughts that haven't been so pleasant but i dont feel comfortable talking to many people because i have seen 2 of my best friends commit suicide but i also want to run away but im 14 so i just dont know what would happen and im afraid if i was to do something my parents would whoop my *** again and again. like i said before i have been grounded so i dont have my phone so i wouldn't have a way to contact my friends that would take great care of me. please help im kind of stuck in a abusive family i just need advice


Thanks

[ccsmod4]

So I have been grounded for about 6 months

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS).

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. it sounds like you have been grounded for a while and it may be effecting your emotions. You did a good job by reaching out today.
We're sorry to hear about your friends. It probably still is most difficult for you.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. 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); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m trying to figure out what to do. I want to run away but I know my dad will legit hate me and hurt me. He is the only reason why I wanna run away. I just can’t think straight. He just makes me mad and he sometimes makes me wanna legit die. I just need advice...

[ccsmod4]

I'm trying to figure out what to do

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. It sounds like you don’t feel good about the way things are between you and your dad. So much so that you are crossed between running away or hurting yourself.
We understand that sometimes things can start to become overwhelming and it’s difficult to know just how to change things. It is times like these where it would be nice to have a listening ear. You matter. Your life matters.
NRS is here to listen and here to help. It is also important that you remember to exercise self- care. You did a fantastic job by reaching out to NRS. It took some courage to do that. Good for you.

Sometimes when things are too stressful it might help to talk with someone about it.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are free to explore other options. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You are not alone in this.

If you would like to talk more in detail about your situation please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.

Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

If I run away , will the person I’m staying with get arrested or charged ?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out.

Running away is typically a status offense, meaning something you cannot do because of your age rather than being illegal. So you generally would not be arrested or charged with anything. Generally peaking, laws very state by state and in some states there can be additional consequences if you have a certain number of status offense.

We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

I am living with my mom and she isnt treating me right and ive been thinking about running away. I live in WA and im 14, how much trouble would i get in if i ran away?

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It is not illegal for you to run away and you won’t get arrested for it or charged with anything. However, your mom can file a runaway report with the police if you do leave without her permission.What that means is that if the police encounter you they can notify your mom and then return you home. If you did get into trouble it would be from your mom. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS