13 and want to run away

[Unregistered]

I'm 13 and want to run away. I live in Florida. Jacksonville Florida. I can't say names or anything but my parents put me in a program that were basically they drop me off at this place for the weekend. at this place they take me deep into the woods. then they walk me out to a dock at night and I have to sleep there last time I was there I saw to alligators. then the next morning I am told to sit on a bucket in the woods all day. then that night I sleep in the woods on the dock. it is very scary because I am the . only human being within a mile . they send me to this place on the weekends if I get in trouble at all during the week. I can't do this any more. my parents don't get what the man they leave me with makes me do.I have to run away. ok just have to know if its legal or not. please help me asap

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[ccsmod3]

Re: 13 and want to run away

Hello there,

It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation right now. We are sorry to hear that you have been placed into a weekend program where you have to do things you’d rather not do. We aren’t legal experts, but running away is normally just considered a status offense. This means that if you are under the legal age of adulthood (18 in most states), that you can’t leave without your parent’s permission simply due to your age. It sounds like you are in a scary and frustrating place and we’d be happy to continue talking to you about your situation. We can be reached 24/7 by calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY(786-2929) and every day from 4:30 to 11:30pm Central time through our Live Chat (big red Live Chat button on our homepage.)

You mentioned you live in Jacksonville, FL where there is a Youth Crisis Center. http://www.youthcrisiscenter.org/ They are also part of National Safe Place http://nationalsafeplace.org/find-a-...?state=Florida. Hopefully that helps you a bit and that you can stay safe in the meantime. Best of luck!

[Unregistered]

My main question is Will the police likely take me to jail?

[ccsmod10]

Re: 13 and want to run away

Hello,

That is a good question. Again, we aren’t legal experts, but as running away is a status offense it typically does not result in being arrested or put in jail, unless you are already on probation for something else. If you have other questions, or would like to talk about your options we can be reached 24/7 by calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY(786-2929) and every day from 4:30 to 11:30pm Central time through our Live Chat (big red Live Chat button on our homepage.)

We wish you best of luck and hope that helps!

NRS