Im 16 and hate living at home if i run away can the police force me to go back?

[ccsmod14]

Re:Re: Im 16 and hate living at home if i run away can the police force me to go back

Hi there,

Thank you so much for posting on our forum. It’s great to know that you are supportive of these individuals and their stories, as well as the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are concerned about this youth’s safety, as are we. Here at NRS, we do not tell anyone what they should or should not do. We’re just here to help keep youth safe and off the streets. We can help explore possible options for youth based on what they are comfortable with.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat with us if you ever need a listening ear or assistance with anything, we are here 24/7.

Best,
NRS

[Drag]

Custody with my aunt and dad

So this isn't really a run away story but I'm 16 and about to turn 17 and live with my aunt and she doesn't have full custody of me but she has some and my dad does to. I want to live with my dad now so if I wanted to can I just leave the house and go to my dads house and not have to worry about the police coming to get me or go to court and it just be my choice.

[ccsmod2]

re: custody with my aunt and dad

Hey there,

It sounds like you have some legal questions about what you could do to live with your dad instead of living with your aunt. From what you shared, both your dad and your aunt have the shared custody of you. We aren't legal experts here so we can't say what you can or can't do legally in regards to your situation. We recommend you talk with a legal aid counselor for more information on what could happen. In general, if you're 16 and leave without permission, you could potentially be sent back home. Checking with a legal counselor would probably be the most helpful in giving you specific information.

Take care,
NRS

[mwpirog]

dont know what to do

so im adopted and my adoptive parents are divorced. i lived with ny mom after they split abd i hadnt seen my dad in four and a half years and i got in trouble so she sent me to live with him.we moved in with my older brother louie because he cant support me on his own. so i went to my aunt and uncles house, they own three restuarunts and i go there and help him every summer. i love it up there and ive always wanted to move there. i talked about it to them and they are more than happy to have me they tried to talk to my dad to let me but he said no and i hate it where im living and i want to move there bc im much happier there but he says no. my mom doesnt talk to me anymore and hates me because i chose to stay with my dad but i hate it. i want to run away to my uncles but im scared of what might happen. the conditions here are bad enough for a cps case and i could tell a judge i want to live with my uncle but my mom still has 50 percent custody and i hate it there to i just really need help on how i can move to my uncles without running away but if i have to i will to get away from here

[ccsmod0]

Re: Im 16 and hate living at home if i run away can the police force me to go back?

Hello there,
Thank you for taking the time to post on our bulletin boards.
We are sorry to hear that things have gotten so bad for you living with your father. It sounds like you would much rather live with your aunt and uncle. You mentioned that you went to go and stay with them during the summer and you loved it. It is great you were at least able to take a break for at least for the summer. You also mentioned that they are more than happy to let you stay there but when you brought it up to your father he would say no. Have you considered having your aunt or uncle talk to your father for you? He might change his mind if he hears it from someone who is a bit older.
Perhaps you can consider using our conference calling service, this is a service where you would call us and we would hold a conference call between you and your father to talk about how both sides are feeling. We would serve as mediators, we are not here to necessarily choose sides but rather help come up with a solution that would make the situation at home better. This might be helpful to you if you have concerns about you’re father not listening or not being open to hear what you have to say.
We are glad that you are taking the time to try and find out how you can leave home without running away. You said that you would want to tell a judge about the conditions there. If this is something that you would like more information on you can look at https://www.childhelp.org/ this site may be able to answer some of the questions that you may have about what reporting looks like and how to do it.
If you feel comfortable you can give us a call and one of our trained liners will be happy to assist you. 1-800-RUNAWAY

[Unregistered]

I'm 17 almost 18 in 6 months,Will I be taken back home in the state of Tx?

I'm 17 almost 18 and I want to leave home, I've been very independent almost my whole life my mom would just go out and drank and not come back home,I have a boyfriend and we have been together for a long time and he's got a good house I can move into but I don't wanna cause any drama. My mom has been scaring and manipulating me about what I can really do legally, I just want an answer I've talked to the cops and got all different answers one said they would not take me that I just needed to call her and tell her I'm safe and the other said they will till I get a emancipation.

[ccsmod6]

Re: I'm 17 almost 18 in 6 months,Will I be taken back home in the state of Tx?

Hi there,

Thanks for writing to us today. It sounds like you’re frustrated with the mixed answers that police have given you. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a definite answer on how police will respond. It may help to speak to chief of police or a legal aid office as they have legal expertise on runaway situations. With you being almost 18, the answers police gave you are common to what we hear when we reach out to law enforcement. Leaving home sooner than later is something you’re hoping for which is understandable. It seems you’re looking forward to an independent life, however, leaving home is a big step. It’s important to think about some things such as how you’ll provide for yourself, access to medical care and insurance especially if you’re on your mom’s insurance, as well as staying safe and what a back-up plan would look like in case things don’t go as planned. Regarding legal issues of running away, it may help to find ways to try to make it through the next several months until you turn 18. Finding ways to stay positive and busy may help distract you from some of the tension and stress.

If you would like to talk more about your situation and ways that we may be able to help, please call or chat with us soon.

Take care and good luck,
NRS

[person]

I don't want any trouble I just want to leave

I'm 14 and I've been doing alot of research because I want to move out of my dad's asap. I have a friend who said I could stay with him but I don't want him or his parents getting in trouble for me being there. I'm very confused on how the law works and if I'm able to just leave when I want. Things I need to know include: can I still attend school if I run away(leave home/move out)?, I heard it's not legal to live by myself at my age but if I move in with someone would that make it legal?, can my dad force me to move back with him?

[ccsmod6]

Re: I don't want any trouble I just want to leave

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at NRS. It sounds like you may be feeling unhappy at home with your dad and you're wondering how you can leave home at 14. Unfortunately, we are not experts on the law but anyone under the age of 18 who leaves home without permission can be listed as a runaway minor. Your dad would have the right to file you as such, and if you are found living with someone you are not supposed to be with, those individuals may face criminal charges for what is called "harboring a runaway". Police may locate you and take you home. However, if safety is an issue, that may keep you in temporary custody until they may find another suitable family member to take you in.

Some ways to leave home are to simply get permission from your dad or guardian, and often involving another family member or trusted adult could be helpful when communicating this to your dad. Another way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We are eager to help look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

It sounds like having a space to talk things out and explore some options may be helpful for you. If you would like to talk more, please reach out by phone or chat.

We wish you well and hope you stay safe,

NRS

[Unregistered]

I'm 15 turning 16 in December & I want to runaway because I hate living here at home

I'm 15 turning 16 in December & I really wanna move in with my Bestfriend & her family. They said that I was more than welcome & they would support me & make sure I finish school & get my diploma. They are really nice to me & they all love me & I feel safe at their house. I hate living where I am now because all we do is fight & argue about everything.. I'm never allowed to go anywhere & im always in bed because I just don't fit in with my family. If I runaway when I turn 16 & go to my Bestfriends house, can the cops force me to go back home if I don't ever wanna go back?

[ccsmod16]

Re: Im 16 and hate living at home if i run away can the police force me to go back?

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re so sorry that things are so difficult at home. It sounds like you’ve got some concerns about your ability to live with friends due to the stress involved with living at home. You’re asking some great questions and, although we’re not legal experts, we will do our best to share what we know so that you can decide what to do.

As far as we understand it, running away is not illegal, in many states it’s considered a status offense. If you leave home without your legal guardian’s consent, your legal guardian has the right to file a runaway report with their local police department. What the local police department does with that report varies from city to city, sometimes they look for you, sometimes they don’t. If they do look for you, they would either return you home to your legal guardian or have your legal guardian pick you up at the local police station. Depending on where you live, whomever you stay with could be charged with harboring a runaway. Sometimes the police press charges, sometimes it’s up to your legal guardian. As far as we understand it, the local police department will return you home regardless of whether or not you would like to go back. Perhaps it would help if you spoke with your parents about how your situation is making you feel, maybe talk about possible changes that might make it easier for everyone to get along. The best way to find out how that would work, you can reach out to your local police department at their non-emergency number. If you need help reaching out to your local police department, or if you just need someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re available 24/7 at 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929). We’re also available every day via chat from 4:30pm – 11:30pm. We wish you the best of luck. Stay safe!

[Tejada sunshine]

What will happen

I am 16 how can I stay away from MN y parents I want to stay with my boyfriend but I am not sure if the cops can force me back I read papers but they not help it says as long as I have a safe place they can't make me go back is this true please help

[ccsmod4]

What will Happen

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We are not legal experts so we can only give you our general Knowledge about runaway laws.
In most states the age of adulthood is eighteen years of age. Since you are 16 your parents are your legal guardians and have the right to ask that you be returned home if you ran away and were picked up by the police. There are also laws in place for anyone harboring or aiding a runaway to be charged with a crime.
If would like to talk about your situation you can give NRS a call at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929).

We hope to hear from you soon.

Take Care,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Akkadian

Hi I'm 15 and I want to run away can I do that take some money and clothes with me. My parents have hit me multiples times, home isn't a nice place for me. I hate it and wondered what could happen if I ran away

[ccsmod14]

Re: Akkadian

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us. It sounds like you have really been going through a tough time at home and you’re trying to explore options to get out. We’re here to help in any way that we can.

You shared that you have been hit multiple times by your parents. You do not deserve to be abused by anybody, you deserve to feel safe at home. We want to let you know that you have the right to make an abuse report. This is something that you can do with Child Protective Services of your state, or Child Help USA at (800) 422 4453. An alternative is calling us here at (800) RUNAWAY (786 2929), and we can make a call out with you or on your behalf. You deserve to feel safe.

We’re not here to tell anybody what they should or should not do, we’re just here to help keep you safe in what you decide is best for your situation. We’re not legal experts, so we can’t say for certain what would or would not happen if you decided to leave home without consent from your legal guardians. Generally speaking, if you leave without consent from legal guardians they would have the right to make a runaway report. If a report is made, and the police find you they generally would just bring you back home. However, anyone that you stay with could potentially be charged for harboring. There are a few things that can be helpful to think through when deciding whether or not leaving is the best option for you and your situation:
Do I have a place to stay?
What about school? Would I continue to get an education?
Am I going to be gone awhile or coming back in a few days?
What would I do for money? Shelter? Food? Transportation?
Who can I depend on if I leave home?
Do I have a safe, solid plan?
What is my plan b in case my first plan doesn’t work?
What have I done to make things better at home?
What can I do to make things better at home?
Who have I reached out to make things better at home?

Please do not hesitate to call or chat. We’re here to help you the best that we can.

Best,
NRS