If I runaway and I am somewhere safe, Can my parents call the cops?

[Guest]

I’m 18 and I leaves without telling my mother where I am going, all because she gets so emotional and wants to be over protective. But she want to call the cops on me known am a legal adult. What can I do? I just want to be free and independent from her!

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks for reaching out today. If you are 18, you are free and independent, as you say. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, your mother can call the police if you leave, but they most likely won't take action. What is most important is that you are safe and have a way to take care of your daily needs: housing, food, clothes, etc.

Hope this helps and if you have more questions, or would like to go into the situation in-depth, please do not hesitate to reach out again by chatting in or calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We're here at the National Runaway Safeline 24/7. Good luck.

NRS

[Guest]

What happens if you runa way and still attend the same school, will your parents find you there?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at NRS. It sounds like you want to know more about runaway laws. While we are not legal experts, we can speak generally about this. 18 is usually the age you are able to leave home without permission. If you leave as a minor, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means your parents can ask that police return you home if you are found. The efforts that police put in to search for you can vary by police department and your age. Generally speaking, police usually do not actively search for a runaway and their efforts can depend heavily on your parents. Police might look for you in places where your parents suggest you may be. It is possible that your parents can ask police to pick you up at school.

If you would like to discuss your situation more in-depth and explore all of your possible options, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY or through live chat.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 17 and turning 18 in one month. I have a full time job, stable pay, a roommate, and an apartment ready. My family is emotionally abusive and never accepted me after coming out. Am I able to leave?

[ccsmod15]

Thanks for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. You made a great first step to finding the help that you may need. It sounds like you are going through a lot and the people around you are not being supportive. You deserve to be treated with respect, to experience acceptance and to feel safe.

We want you to know that you are strong for having gone through so much already. It is perfectly okay to deviate from what others or the common population believe to be “normal”. You’re bravery and resilience is so admirable. You are so strong for having gone through so much without having the acceptance that you do deserve for just being you. Remember that you are not alone. If you ever want to talk more about what you are experiencing or get additional support we are here 24/7 at 1800-RUNAWAY or our live chat service. The GLBT National Hotline at 1888-843-4564 is another option to gain great support from those that are familiar with the issues and experiences of those that are also a part of the LGBTQ community. You can access their website link bellow to utilize all the other possibly useful resources they have to offer: http://www.glbthotline.org/

You mentioned that you were considering the options that may be best for you. By all means, if you do fear for your safety either now or in the future, do not hesitate to take the necessary steps to regain your safety. This may mean calling the authorities or possibly reporting the things you may be experiencing. Other options to think about may be other family members, friends, or a trusted adults that would be able to provide you with support or a safe place to stay. It is great that you thinking ahead. Should you feel like leaving home is best, it may be a good idea to think about how you will provide necessities for yourself such as food, clothing, showers, healthcare and other basic needs. You may want to also consider how your parent’s will react to you leaving without permission. We are not legal experts here, but typically as a minor (under the age of 1 you need permission from your parents to leave home. It is not illegal to runaway, but it would mean that your parents could file a runaway report with the police. This is usually done in an effort to try to return you home as the police are required to do so.

If you can give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or reach out through Live Chat we can try to find some youth shelters that may be near your city and state by utilizing our database of resources. We can also try to call out to shelters with you or on your behalf to advocate for you.

Stay Strong,
NRS

[Guest]

i am 14 almost 15 and my parents abuse me mentally i have no privacy they look thru my phone and always make a big deal out of nothing i cant take it anymore i need to leave but i also don't want them to worry about me and know i'm safe without knowing where i am and taking be back home but the thing is it doesn't feel like home i cant even go to school anymore to escape it cause of covid...is there somewhere safer i can go and i don't know what to do but i cant take it anymore.

[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. It sounds like you’re conflicted with what’s going on with your parents. You want privacy, especially on your phone, but can’t get a breather because you’re home due to covid. You recognize that your parents would worry about you and your safety if you did leave the house though. You’re wondering what you could do otherwise.
Here are some ideas:

Have you thought about expressing yourself to a trusted friend or someone who works at your school? It may be helpful to just get all this off your chest.

Do you think it would be helpful to write a letter to your parents about how this all has made you feel? Even if you never gave it to them, the act of writing all your feelings down might help.

If you’re feeling unsafe and need a safe place to go and talk to someone, you may wish to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need of a safe place to stay. You can also use their TXT 4 HELP free service offered to all youth in crisis. It’s quick, easy, safe, and confidential:
·         Text the word “safe” and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357).

·         Within seconds, you will receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number for the local youth agency.

·         For immediate help, reply with “2chat” to text interactively with a trained counselor. 

We are also happy to look up shelter resources for you if you call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or through the live chat at 1800runaway.org. Shelter are generally required to at least notify your parents that you are there, but they can provide a safe place to go and support with making a long term plan.

If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and my gf is 15 and her mom has been hard on her and it’s clear to see that it has an effect on my gf but we’ve been playing it off as tough love and I’m starting to get concerned that her mom is actually taking a huge toll on her mental health to the point wheres she’s had thoughts of suicide and has self harmed. We’ve made a plan to drive out of state and go to places and have fun so she can get out of the house and away from her mom. And ofc I’d bring her back home at some point but we have a feeling her mom will call the cops on me since she has before on a different incident not related to running away or anything so is there anything I could potentially get charged with for taking my gf out of her moms house and away as an escape for her?

[ccsmod0]

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. Because you are under the age of 18, it is unlikely you would be charged with a serious offense, but we cannot say for sure as we are not legal experts. You can anonymously talk to your local nonemergency police to find out what the legal consequences may be in your are. Your girlfriend is lucky to have someone who care so much about her. 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).

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

If I am going to be 18 in November and I runaway from home can my mom call the police on me? I have a safe place with a friend who will take me in and keep me in school and give me a good place to stay.

[ccsmod3]

Hi there!

Thanks for reaching out to NRS. It takes a lot of strength and resourcefulness to reach out for help when you're feeling alone. It must be very challenging at home and it's insightful of you to make sure you are informed before making the decision to leave home. In general, it is not illegal to run away. However, it's important for you to know that anyone that allows you to stay with them could get in legal trouble for harboring a runaway. Your mom can file a missing person's report or a runaway report (both of which involve calling the police) if you run away. Depending on the state that you live in, it is also possible that the police can take you into custody and/or take you back home. If you want more specific information, it may be a good idea to call the local non-emergent police phone number and ask how they generally handle runaways your age, specifically in your state.

We are here as support to help through this challenging time. If you would like to talk more in detail, please feel free to call or chat with us at your convenience. 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

[Guest]

I've ran away since or twice but I'm 22 years old now. What can I do if my mom calls the cops on me and my friends for taking me out of the situation I'm in with them.

[ccsmod3]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the NRS - we are happy you did. It sounds like you have a question regarding your independence and how your parents or the cops could react to you and your friends. Because you are 22 years old, you would legally be considered an adult in any state of the U.S., so legally your parents cannot file you as a runaway, and cops would not be required for search for you and/or return you back to your parents.

If you have any further questions about this, or would like to talk to us in more detail about your situation, we would be happy to listen and possibly provide some resources to assist you further. You can call us anytime at 1(800) 786-2929, or chat live with us online at www.1800runaway.org. Both of these lines are open 24/7.

Thank you again for contacting us. Best of luck and stay safe!

NRS

[Guest]

I’m turning 20 soon and I have job and can somewhat take care of myself but I’m scared that my parents will call the police on me, what do I do?

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out; we are glad that you did. If you google the term "Age of majority" and the state that you live in, if you are that age or over, they cannot call police. Most states it is 18, so at 12:01 a.m. the morning of your 18th birthday (or whatever the age is in your state) that is the moment you can leave and no one can stop you.
We hope this helps and if you would like to talk over this or anything else, please feel free to call us at 1-800-786-2929 (1-800-RUNAWAY) or chat us through this website. We are here 24/7 to listen and help.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

i am 16 almost 17 in a month and i want to run away. I have been verbally abused and emotionally abused since i was 4 years old. My two older brothers have been physically abused and i dont want it to happen to me. will i be brought back if i run away and report to the police

[Guest]

I am 17 about to be 18 in 12 days and my aunt and uncle who I’ve lived with for a year now is sending me back to a toxic and verbally abusing home. Is there anyway for me to wait out till I’m 18 somewhere without getting involved with the law? I’m getting sent all the way across the country in two days and I really don’t want to go.

[ccsmod9]

Hi! Thank you for reaching out to NRS today. It sounds like you're in a really tough situation. I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances. Your parents do have the right to reach out to the cops and look into where you are if you do runaway. Since you are very close to turning 18, if you are careful until you turn 18 and lay low so that you don't get caught, you would probably be ok making a decision to go somewhere else. Another thought is to get permission from your parents to stay with someone else if you feel comfortable doing that. I'm so glad you reached out to NRS today and I hope this response is helpful. Please get back in touch with us at anytime. We are available 24/7 or call us at 1-800-runaway. Thanks, NRS

[Guest]

Would I be able to runaway if I am being abused physically and mentally but there are no marks to prove that I have been hit. This has been happening for years now and there finally getting physical and I don’t feel safe and or comfortable being here

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out; we are glad that you did. It sounds like it has been really hard at home for a very long time due to physical abuse, but they don't leave marks, so there is no evidence to show. It's understandable to be afraid of being there; it's understandable to want to leave. You don't deserve to be treated this way at all, and we are sorry that you are going through this.

We work best with people when we can have a conversation together, so we hope you will reach out via chat through this website or on our phone hotline so we can talk this over and work to discover what options you might have. If you run away, your parents may file a runaway report with police, no one can give you permission to run. We hope you will chat us or call us at 1-800-RUANWAY. Both are 24/7 and confidential. We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I wrote to you yesterday about getting physical and mental abused if I ran away once before because of my parents and if I run away again what would happens to me

also I’m like really scared to go home because I always do something wrong and I’m scared there going to punch me again

[ccsmod15]

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’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

i am 16 years old and i’m on thanksgiving break, i’ve been spending the past few days with my friend at her house to avoid being home with my father. can he call me in as a runaway? and would it get my friends mom in trouble? (i’m allowed to go home at anytime and they know how bad my situation is)

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand that 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 spending a lot of time at your friend’s house in order to avoid spending time with your father and are wondering if there are any possible consequences from that. While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If your father did not give you permission to stay with your friend, he may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. It might also be possible that those you are staying with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer any legal questions.

We understand that this may be a difficult situation and we are here to support you during this challenging time. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat us at www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). If you are ever at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I ran away from my house a few months ago and my mom agreed to take me off the runaway list if i went and lived with my aunt so i did. My mom still has legal custody of me but refuses to talk to me and we never hear from her. I'm 16 years old. I don't want to stay where I'm at and my aunt does not have legal guardianship. If i leave and my mother or my aunt calls the police what might happen? I'm in Minnesota

[ccsmod15]

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.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
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 forum 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