My child ran away family member is harboring them

[Guest]

My daughter ran away and ended up going with my mom. Well my mom didnt want to bring her back. I continued the file for my daughter as a runaway. My question is if I give my daughter permission to stay with my mom do I have to give my mom custody like she is asking? Or can I still be in charge of my daughters responsibility? What about financial support? Am I obligated to pay my 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. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.

So if you let her stay there you are still her guardian as well therefore you have the right to decide when she comes back. So it might be a good idea to give her a time frame and then have her call you again to ask if she can stay there again for a certain amount of time. Financially if your mom is taking her she assuming responsibility of her so that means feeding her and providing your daughter with financial means as well. You aren’t obligate but if they happen to call child services you could be found as being negligent.

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.

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.

Be safe,

NRS