I need help quickly

[Guest]

I have a 16 year old daughter. I need help. She is a habitual runnaway. She ranaway last Sunday night and The cops brought her home last night and now she has ran off again today. Two weeks ago she ran off and contacted three STD"S and she threw away her medication and I know that STD"s can cause alot of problems not taking medication. I have lost count on how many times she has ranaway. The cops are tired of dealing with her running away. We have been dealing with this for 2 years now. We give her consequences each time she come home. I just got done cleaning her room out. All she has is her bed and dresser and I even cleaned her closet and left enough clothes for a week. She lies to people and say she is 18 and that her dad kicked her out and he is homeless. Me and my husband has went throught the juvenile probation system and she has done all the programs that the court has sent her to, due to her having no criminal offenses they will not send her to any lockup facilitites, Running away is not against the law in Alabama. I have found several youth homes but they are so expensive we can't afford them. I was wondering if you know of any places in Alabama that I get get my daughter in or what do you think we need to do. I am so afraid she is going to meet the wrong person and get hurt badly.

Thank You
Concerned Mom from Alabama

[ccsmod3]

Re: I need help quickly

Thank you for sharing your situation with us. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot with your daughter and would like to find her help. You explain how she has runaway more times than you can count and that you’ve been dealing with this for over 2 years. We can only imagine how difficult it has been for you and we are sorry to hear that the cops are even tired of dealing with her running away.

You’ve mentioned you and your husband going through the juvenile probation system and that she has gone to all the court recommended programs. When you went to court did you file a CHINS (Child in Need of Supervision) petition? According to our resources, if a parent or guardian cannot provide supervision for a child, as long as there is no abuse or neglect by the parent, the petition can be filed. Some of the consequences they list are probation, mandatory counseling, community service, detention or fines.

Contact numbers for CHINS (Alabama)
Local County Courthouse – Juvenile Department
(334)-292-9330 Alabama Department of Human Services

We are not legal experts, but what you’ve described as far as the courts not sending your daughter to any lockup facilities seems pretty standard since she hasn’t committed any crimes. The kinds of resources we have here are not generally lockup programs either – usually more along lines of alternative housing, schooling, or runaway and homeless youth shelters. Here is a link to federally designated resources for children and families which include some shelters based on state.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/co ... locate.htm
If you would like to continue discussing your situation or if there are any more resources that may be beneficial, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We are anonymous, confidential, and available 24/7. We hope you are able to stay strong while you continue searching for help for your daughter.

Best of luck to you,
NRS

[Guest]

Re: I need help quickly

YEs we have done CHINS has she has gotten kicked out the homes and they said that they would not take her again because she was a threat to other girls and the staff. The last time she was at CHINS she tried to ranaway by jumping of the two-story balcony and the cops came and got her and brought her home. As I said in the earlier post she ran last night but came home til the early hours this morning. She is trying to leave now and me and my husband is keeping an eye on her. We have had the cops out and they told her to stay put and she could care less what they say. I gotta to go she just went out the front door.

[ccsmod5]

Re: I need help quickly

Thanks for reaching out again.

Sounds like this whole process is entirely frustrating: you’re trying everything you can do and your daughter seems to not be grasping that you’re wanting to be there for her. What do you think is making her run from home? Do you think that she’s uncomfortable with things at home? It also sounds like there are factors outside of the house that are making her leave. What are your observations?

At this point, what needs to happen? Sounds like you’ve implemented many programs and nothing has been successful but are there things you can give her in the home to make things better? Are there activities that she could be involved with within the home in order to reroute her challenging behaviors? If she’s into any special things, maybe that can add support where she thinks you’re being generous where you know you’re being active in helping her.

Here is an article that might be helpful: http://www.yoursocialworker.com/p-artic ... _teens.htm

If you need more assistance, please contact us via phone at 1800.RUNAWAY 24 hrs a day. If you are not able to do that, please let us know that city and state you are in so we can provide you with specific resources in your area.

Best of luck,
NRS