My family has told me that I can go and now is saying I cannot.

[Guest]

Hello, I am 17 in Pennsylvania, my mom told me I can leave 2 weeks ago, and now she is saying I won't, she has brought me to the point of suicide by overdosing 3 times, children and youth have not done anything, they told my mom an hour after my school's guidance counselor (guidance called February 13th, at 12pm, and the call for my mom was February 13th, at 1:36pm)called them, the following Tuesday, they called the mom I want to go with ( my grandparents are the only relatives I have and they wont take me, I want to move in with a friend in Delaware) and told her that they would investigate even tho they closed the case the 13th of the last week. They didn't tell my school, the mom or anything. Basically children and youth wont do anything unless I get my mom to sign adoption papers, and that the police wont do anything to help either, I am less then 6 months away from 18, school is 100% supportive of me transferring, but my mom wont sign adoption papers unless she is forced to, in which she cant, I have proof of her saying she doesnt want me but children and youth wont do anything. I am scared for me and my 13 year old brother. I just want to leave the home, the mom wants me to go there because she is worried about me, she lives in Laurel, Delaware, and I live in williamsport, Pennsylvania and my grandparents live in new York, New York and they wont take me either, and they are my only living relatives. I cant call or text right now because my mom shut off all my services, I'm at the library in town.

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear you are dealing with a difficult home environment. We are by no means legal experts, but we do know that the legal age of majority (adult) is 18. This means that until you turn 18, your mom has a say in where you live. If you were to leave home without permission, there is a chance your mom could file a runaway report. This means if you were to encounter law enforcement, they might be required to return you home.
It’s great to hear that you have someone who is looking out for your wellbeing and is willing to let you stay. Have you considered how you would travel out to Delaware? Another thing to consider is that most schools require a legal guardian to sign a minor up.
You mentioned that your school/guidance counselor is aware of your living situation- they can be great support system to help you during these difficult times. It’s important to feel like you can reach out to people when you are feeling down or suicidal. One resource is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)- they are great to reach out to when you are feeling down.

You can always give us a call- we are 24/7, and we would be able to dig deeper into your specific situation.

Best of luck, NRS