17 and i want to stay with other family

[Unregistered]

I'm 17, and I'll be 18 in 9 months or so. Since my aunt sent me to live with my grandmother, things had gotten a little better. I'm passing my classes with mostly A and B, and I have a little more freedom. Not much though. We just disagree on a lot of things and she acts too much like the aunt that sent me away. I can't stand living here, she's a hoarder (it isn't that bad, but it is pretty bad..) and I've been getting sick more often because of it. And recently we've been fighting and it's stressed me out to the point where I'm falling alseep in class all the time and I'm starting to fail again. I don't know what to do. I plan on finishing school this year, but I'm probably going to move next school year or in the summer. She won't let me leave though. Even if I'm close to 18. The aunts that I want to move in with say that I'd be too old for the police to come after me if I did leave. I want to believe them, but I'm scared and don't want trouble. I also don't want to stay here and that almost overpowers it.

[ccsmod6]

Re: 17 and i want to stay with other family

Hello,

Thank you for writing to us here at NRS through the online forum. It sounds like living at home has brought on a lot of stress and difficulties for you to deal with. You mentioned becoming sick more often, struggling to stay awake in school, a drop in your grades, and overall dissatisfied with the living situation with your aunt. You mentioned wanting to live with other family members who would take you in willingly. It sounds like you have found some support from family which is great, however, you are afraid of trouble arising if you did leave home.

In general since we are not legal experts, if you left at 17 your aunt may choose to file you as a runaway if she has legal guardianship over you. The way that police respond to runaway cases varies in every state, city, and even county. For specifics, it may be best to consult with your local non-emergency police. We can help call out to police and other agencies for information if you needed help. However we can best help, please let us know. It seems you just was permission to live elsewhere so you can take care of yourself and refocus at school. Sometimes just talking things out with someone can help, and we are here to listen.

We hope this helps and look forward to talking with you soon.

Take care,

NRS

[Unregistered]

Re: 17 and i want to stay with other family

I have reached out before to my school and I did again last night. I'm hoping they can help me, but I feel like they'd tell her and she'd get mad. I asked them not too, so hopefully they dont. I'm waiting for a response from the teacher and I'd also mentioned the police maybe knowing what to do, so hopefully she can get one of the officers there to answer a few questions. If they can't I am definitely coming back and probably calling this time. Thank you so much

[ccsmod14]

Re: 17 and i want to stay with other family

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out again. It sounds like you’re really exploring every option you can and taking some really great steps in getting some answers for yourself. We are here 24/7 to help work through your situation so please do not hesitate!

Best of luck,
NRS