My dad

[Guest]

I am 18 years old and an undergraduate in Louisiana. My father and I get into fights quite often, due to- reasons. I’ve tried to leave Home before to get away from him (while at 1 and he’s made me stay, pushing me and pinning me. Recently he’s told me because I’m in highschool if I leave he can call the police and they will drag me back to him. That I have no choice in the matter because I’m still in highschool and legally that I can’t leave. Is this true?

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear that the relationship between your dad and you has deteriorated to a point where you feel like you need to leave. While we are not legal experts, it is our understanding that once you are an adult (age 18 in Louisiana), regardless of school enrollment status you are entitled to live wherever you please. This is our general interpretation of how runaway protocol works and it may not apply to you, but a good way to find out would be to give an anonymous call to your local police non-emergency number and ask them. In the event that you were mandated to stay with your father, it seems unlikely that the police would “drag you back to him,” but that might be another good question to ask your local precinct. If you have any other concerns or questions that you think we might be able to help you with, please reach out to us on our 24/7 hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY or on chat at 1800runaway.org.


Take care,

NRS