This is urgent, I need help. I need to run away now!

[Guest]

Hello, this is sort of a long story but I will try to make it short. When I was sixteen I married my husband (21) "in faith" (At a religious place) My mother was there and consented to it. We also had our Pastor sign the papers. My husband gave me the most beautiful diamond wedding ring. (In my religion we are allowed to marry young.) At the time of my marriage both me and my husband though we were married legally. We had a small ceremony and everything. Little did I know my mother married us only "In Faith" so she could keep her child support benefits. I was so hurt to know my husband and me were married only "In Faith" I am now 17 We lived together with her for about 8 months (in a separate unit) so we could get on our feet. Our Marriage was amazing and nothing was wrong. I have always had problems with my mother before and with my new marriage things got better. That is until my mother started to grow a displacement and resentment towards my husband. For a long time we tried make things better. Things looked bleak and he then began to withdraw from her and finally started moving us out. This must have angered my mother too much and as a result after much fighting and arguing my mother kidnapped me and has taken me across state lines. She kidnapped me in the morning. I had woken up and gotten ready for school, I walked to the house and went inside to spend time with my mother before school. I smiled at her and things were o.k to me at the moment. I trusted her with all my heart... I went back and kissed my husband so I could leave for school. He smiled and told me to have a wonderful day. I then walked to the car and got in... It was packed... With some of our things and I noticed this was no ride to school. I screamed and tried to open the door. She quickly went to lock it and sped the car faster. I got the door open and fell to the road. I was badly hurt. I screamed my husbands name many, many times but he could not hear me. I started to limp and run back to the house as fast as my feet could carry me. My mother got out and told my sister who was in the car to run after me. A man was present and as I ran mother told him to capture me. They did, and dragged me back to the car as I screamed and pleaded for my husbands rescue. She then proceeded to drive me to PA where I am hostage to to them... I'm scared, lost and so hurt....I cant stop shaking and I feel like death truly. I can't stop crying and I don't know what to do.I miss my husband so much. I can't leave here they are watching my every move And I have to post this in secrecy. I want to find my husband. He is worried sick about me. If I run away to try to find my husband what will happen? I am still 17 but technically married through faith.. Some one please help me... please...

I also read some information on this website ( http://marriage.laws.com/putative) about my marriage but I don't really understand what to do. Should I look for my husband?

[ccsmod7]

Re: This is urgent, I need help. I need to run away now!

That is a very long story but we are glad that you felt comfortable sharing it. It certainly sounds like you have been through so much and we are sorry to hear you are going through this right now. Just so you know right off the bat we are a completely confidential and anonymous resource. Just to clarify your story a bit…You mentioned that when you were 16 you were married with your mother’s permission but recently found out that she did not sign to make the marriage legit. Do you have any kind of paperwork or proof of the ceremony? It sounds like things with your husband were great but when you started to move away from your mom that’s when she got upset and took you, against your will, to another state. Have you been in contact with your husband at all during this time? It sounds like such a difficult situation to be in and it seems like your concern is what would happen if you left home. In most states the age of majority, when a youth is considered an adult, is 18. But 17 can be tricky and depending on the state you are in the police may not take a runaway report or make a youth return home at 17. Now we are not lawyers here so we cannot say for sure what the specific laws are in your area but it may be helpful to try and look into them. Also in regards to the marriage often times states will say that a youth is considered emancipated if legally married. But the main issue with that is if your marriage is considered legal or if you have any paperwork that may support that.

Obviously this situation is very tricky and there are a lot of questions coming up. If you think you may have the ability to give us a call to talk about your situation more in depth you can reach us 24 hours a day at our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have a live chat that is available from 4:30p to 11:30p CST through our website www.1800runaway.org. Remember that all of our services are confidential. There is always someone available to provide support but also to discuss options and resources that may be able to help in your situation. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime. Take care and stay safe.


-NRS