im 16 if i runaway and stay hidden for a few days will the search simmer down?

[zzz]

im in pennsylvania near pitt and my parents went into my facebook and found out i did weed, im not christian but taoist, and i said i wanted them dead
life has went to hell since yesterday, they hate me now
im ready to runaway monday on the city bus, if i hide out in pitt for a few days will i be fine?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us about what is going on. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time right now and we’re glad that you have contacted us for assistance. It was very courageous of you to do that and hopefully, we can provide you with some resources to help you stay safe.

We are sorry to hear that your parents found out you were using drugs. You also mentioned that your life has gone to hell since yesterday; can you tell us more about what you mean by that?

It sounds like you have a plan to leave home on Monday and hide out for a few days in Pittsburgh. Do you know where you would stay? On our website, we do have a list of questions and things to consider before leaving home (http://www.1800runaway.org/youth/nrs_can_help/). Also, if you do leave home and need somewhere safe to go, we may be able to help you find that also. One of those shelters is called Three Rivers Youth and their number is 412-243-5638. If you aren’t comfortable talking with them on your own, please call us, we can help you make a conference call as well.

Now, if you do leave home, your parents may have the option to file a runaway report with the local police. Now we aren’t legally trained here so we wouldn’t be able to tell you for certain what would happen but we can give you a general idea. Generally, running away is considered a status offense which is something you can’t do when you are under the age of 18. If your parents file a report, the police may or may not actively look for you. Also, if they do locate you, they may take you to the police department to call your parents and let them know where you are. Do you think your parents would file the report?

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you would like to call and talk with someone about your options and resources. We also have online chat services that are available from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST), 7 days a week; that can be found on our website (www.1800runaway.org).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

~NRS

[scaredygirly]

scared

my parents hate me i think they say they don't but their actions begs to differ. i ran away once and made a huge mistake by going to a hospital and i'm literally planning to leave in a week. i could leave tonight but i can't i have to finish some stuff here and i can't leave without finishing them. anyways i don't know where to go and going to family isn't a good idea. i'm leaving for sure and i'm confused and scared please help me

[ccsmod6]

RE: Scared

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like home life is stressful for you at this time. From what you shared, it seems you feel your parents' actions are making home a place you don't feel comfortable staying in. We are sorry you feel you are being mistreated. You do not deserve to be mistreated in any way. It seems you have a plan to leave home again, however, you mentioned feeling confused and scared and in need of help. We want to help as best as we can. It seems that maybe calling in or chatting more with us can help gain some insight into your situation as well as explore some options about what you can do and where you can safely go if in need of some place to stay. Our crisis line can be contacted by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and chat can be accessed through our website at www.1800runaway.org.

We look forward to speaking with you on the phone or chat soon. We wish you well and hope you stay safe.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

hey, im 16 and im planning to run away. im currently living in carlsbad new mexico. how do i not get caught?

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS for help! It sounds like you're interested in running away, we have some basic information on that, but we can't exactly say the best way to do it without getting caught.

Like we tell a lot of our callers and/or people that email us, the laws on that specific subject of just leaving home and/or running away vary from state to state. Now we aren’t legal experts, but what generally what typically happens in each state is if you are below the legal age of majority (18 in most states except Alabama and Nebraska [19 or upon marriage], and Mississippi [21]), your parents would be able to make a runaway report in the event that you do run away. Since it’s only considered a statues offense and not a crime to run away, the only thing that would happen is that the police will pick you up and bring you back home. This is the case even when you leave the state because most reports are entered into the NCIC which is a national database for those reported missing/runaway.

If your parents successfully file a runaway report, your parents can choose whether or not to press charges on another family that you’d be staying with for harboring a runaway, but only when they are not giving accurate information on his whereabouts. So basically if they were helping you hide from the police and covering up for you. That could lead to a number of different legal issues such as misdemeanor charges (fines or jail charges).

It’s important to have a strong plan to ensure your well-being if you runaway and if you would like to call the hotline we can help you develop some options. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY. We can also help you develop other ways of improving your situation if you’re interested in something other than running away. Either way, your decision is valid.

[Guest]

hi im 15 and I'm being forced to leave for camp (for 42 days) 10hours from where I live on Sunday (its Friday right now). long story short, I wanted to go to this camp at first but the last few weeks I've been re-thinking it but my parents are literally bribing me with money to go. my mom won't let me not go either. On Saturday night until really early (around 3am) on Sunday, I'm babysitting and when the parents get home, I have to call my mom to come pick me up. I have a plan to call a taxi and be driven to the town next to mine to a 24hr place or something and then from there I can walk to my great grandmas house which isn't too far from where I want to be dropped off. I only want to stay hidden for a few days to get the point to my mom that I don't want to go and that this is how far I will go to not have to go to camp.
Help? I don't know if I will really go through with this. I know my parents are going to punish me and I'm ready for whatever that punishment is.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME

[ccsmod4]

Reply:hi im 15 and I'm being forced to leave for camp (for 42 days)

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
It sounds like you are going through a tough and frustrating time.
We understand and we want you to know that we are here as support to help you during this difficult time.
We would like to hear more about your situation and give you the opportunity to explore some options for help.
One option you might consider is talking with your parents and letting them know you have changed your mind or talking with someone you might feel supported by.
Perhaps you might talk with your grandmother.
How does that sound?

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) or www.1800Runaway.org.

Again tell us what it is you would like us to help you with and we will be happy to explore some options with you.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

hello, I am 15 almost 16 in a few days and I've been thinking about leaving my parents. I didn't come to this decision right away but thought long and hard about it. I have lived with my dad and my step mom since my mom died but it's been he'll. My dad and step mom barely get along and when they do it doesn't last long. And lately my step mom and I don't get along at all. She's always trying to control everything I do but I need more freedom. I know I haven't been the best teen out there but I'm human and I make mistakes and I plan on learning from them. Anyhow I just want to get out of here because it's literally hell. No one is happy, everyone argues and it's been like this for 6 years. I'm just tired of it. Is there a possibility I could live with an aunt or uncle? Or maybe a sibling? I just need to get out.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today.

Sounds like living with your stepmom and dad has been pretty rough, especially recently with your stepmom controlling everything. That does seem hard to live with, and you should be able to live in an environment where you can thrive.

The easiest way you can live with a relative is with your dad’s permission. You can live anywhere he says is okay. If your aunt, uncle, or sibling is wanting you to live with them, you might try to include them on the conversation with your dad so they can advocate for you moving. If you are financially self-sufficient, emancipation might be an option for you depending on your state’s laws. It is a timely and costly court process where you would become a legal adult. Please call or chat to find out more about emancipation in your state.

If you leave home without permission, your dad could file a runaway report for you with local police. If you are found, you would be returned home.

Here at NRS, we truly want to support you. Please do not hesitate to call or chat us so we can best help.

Stay safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Hi, is it bad to want to runaway just for the adventure?

[ccsmod11]

Hi, and thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We here at NRS strive to be non-directive (meaning we aren't here to tell people what to do or not do) and non-judgmental as we trust that you know your situation the best. We are here to listen and are here to help in whatever way we can - including talking through what may be going on that is causing you to ask this question. 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). Best, NRS

[ccsmod11]

Hi, and thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We here at NRS strive to be non-directive (meaning we aren't here to tell people what to do or not do) and non-judgmental as we trust that you know your situation the best. We are here to listen and are here to help in whatever way we can - including talking through what may be going on that is causing you to ask this question. 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). Best, NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm 16 and I want to run away i am located in Newville Pa I dont no were to go and no way of getting somewhere far away from home.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at NRS. It sounds like you are in a really tough spot right now and leaving home can be a big decision to make.

Having a solid plan in place before you leave would be helpful so that you can think through what is and is not an option for you. A helpful start could be to reach out to friends or family members who you might be able to stay with. The easiest way to leave home as minor is with your parent's permission. We understand that approaching this topic with a parent can be incredibly difficult and it is not always possible. Sometimes having another adult involved to advocate for your needs can ensure that you feel heard. This person might be able to help you come up with a plan and talk with your parents about the possibility of you leaving home.

If you leave home without permission, 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 police to return you home if you are found. Police do not usually actively search for a runaway, but they would look to your parents for suggestions of where you might be staying. If you do decide to leave home, this would be important to consider when thinking of safe places for you to stay.

We truly want to be a support for you during this difficult time. Often having a safe space to talk through your feelings can help you brainstorm some options you had not thought of previously. If you would like to talk more about your situation and explore your possible options, you can contact NRS directly anytime. We are available 24/7 for immediate support by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat services at 1800runaway.org.

Stay strong and stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm in Sacramento Cali, i've looked up possible options and even contacted my friend who I wish to go see about it. I'm wanting to sorta "run away" to Colorado, I've mentioned the California zypher(guessing the term is Greyhound?) and she said not to take that, take a plane once im 16(im 15 atm) and mentioned using a card? im not to sure what the card is. But American airlines say "We want your child to have a safe and positive trip. For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. For children age 15 – 17, this service is optional. We charge a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, in addition to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight." So I guess I can take that plane to colorado, or is it best to ride the GreyHound(california Zypher)??

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It definitely seems like you are faced with a big decision as you are navigating planning your travel. You know your situation best and what you are capable affording, but we would be happy to talk through your plan with you. It could be helpful to consider if you will be able to afford the fees for a trip there and back, if you have access to a bank account and debit card to pay for either your plane fare or bus fare, consider the lengths of the trip, and consider how you will travel with your belongings. These are all things we would be happy to discuss with you if you gave us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or live chat with us through our website. Traveling from California to Colorado can also be a long trip, it could be helpful to also think about what could happen if your housing plans fall through. IT could also be a good idea to think about what runaway laws look like for youth who are under 18. We are by no means legal experts, but generally parents/guardians are obligated to file runaway reports with the police. Running away or leaving home without permission is not a crime, but if you were to end up in the custody of the police you would most likely be returned home. There are also laws called Harboring a Runaway that are meant to hold folks who house runaways accountable. Again, these are things we would be happy to discuss with you further. We hope this helps as you navigate this big decision. We are hoping to hear from you soon!

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi my parents broke up me and my girlfriend of 1 year and 4 months because she brought a pipe and she asked if I wanted to try it and I wasn't to sure what it was at first but I did and it was smoke and I was like oh shoot this is weed and then my mom saw me and he out the window I haven't seen her in a week or two and I was thinking of running away or something so I can see her but I know I will get in trouble I don't know what to do I love her so much they can't do this and I am 15 gonna be 16 in July

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like you’re going through a tough time and need some help. It sounds like you’ve given some thought to running away with or to your girlfriend. While we are not legal experts, we can provide you some pieces of advice.




We wanted to talk through some of the logistics of running away. Given that you’re a minor, I wanted you to be aware that your parents could report you as a missing /runaway youth and get the police involved in looking for you. Additionally, anyone you stay with, including your girlfriend or her family, might face legal repercussions for harboring a runaway minor. Running away without your parents permission is considered a status offense in some states, which means that it could be put on your record if you leave without permission.




We understand that it can be frustrating to be separated from your girlfriend at the moment. Is there any trusted adult you can talk to about the situation? Perhaps talking to your parents, school guidance counselor, or friend might help. We encourage you to reach out to our online chat or call our national hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) if you have any questions. We’re available 24/7 and can help talk though your options.