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

[Guest]

Runaway
My name is Alyssa I'm 16 and my mom is an alcoholic and my dad is always at work I believe
she is unstable and unfit to be a parent right now
she takes antidepressants also. I want to run away to
New York and start over and just leave I would have to walk but I believe they would find me if i walked also I don't have access to car to drive away. What do I do I can't stay here another minute

[ccsmod6]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We're here to listen and here to help. We're sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time with your mom being an alcoholic and father never home.
We're not legal experts here at NRS, but we can give you some general info on running away. In most states, if you're under the age of 18, you're considered your parents' responsibility. They can therefore file a runaway report if you leave home without their permission. Running away usually doesn't get you arrested but is rather called a status offense, and usually means if the police locate you, that you will be returned home.
If you do feel that your parent’s are unfit and not treating you right, please reach out to CHILD HELP (National Child Abuse Hotline) at 1-800-422-4453 or your local DCFS (Department of Child & Family Services) to speak to someone regarding your current situation.
If you have any more questions or would like to talk further, feel free to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We're available on our Safeline 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can also chat with us by going to www.1800runaway.org and clicking the red live chat button.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

im 16 and dont want to stay with my dad and want to stay with my mom , if i run away will the police bring me back to my dad even tho they treat me like trash

[ccsmod9]

Thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. We know it can be a difficult time and more over a hard time at home where you are supposed to feel safe and protected. We just would like you to know that we are here to help and listen the best way we can.
From what we gather about your situation it seems like dad is not a fun person to be around and this is leading you to want to runaway any chance you get. So we are not a legal experts but from what we gather about your story you would still be considered a minor in the eyes of the law and therefore your parents have the right to call the cops to get you back. So in other words if your dad has full guardianship over you and you ran away they would have to bring you back to your dad simply because he has full guardianship over you. If you do not feel safe at your Dad’s house know that you can call the police and they would help get you to a safe place or perhaps offer some more information on what this looks like.
Whatever you decide, we would love to hear from you. We are a safe place to talk about difficult stuff like this. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY and we are totally confidential and available 24/7.
Take care

[Guest]

Can I leave home and go and live with my boyfriend? I'm a little bit worried as I'm 16. Will the police tell me to return home?

[ccsmod4]

Reply:Can I leave home and go and live with my boyfriend?


Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS).

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
It sounds like you are thinking about running away to your boyfriend’s but you have some concerns about being picked up by the police and returned home.

While we are not experts on the law, someone under 18 that leaves home, the parent/guardian may file them as a runaway and they may be returned home. Also, those that a reported runaway stays with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. Anyone found to be assisting or aiding someone to run away may also find themselves at risk legally. For more specifics on the law, you might consider contacting the local non-emergency number for the police. You might also look for a legal aid center in the area. They may be able to answer any legal questions on the subject.


We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Be safe,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

Hi,
Im 16, and I want to run away because I don't like living at home.. I don't experience any major abuse at home, but Im just not happy. I live in Maine, and I researched that its not illegal to run away. If I ran away to my boyfriends house what would happen to me or his parents if the police were brought into the situation. Would the police force me to go back home or do I have the decision to stay with my boyfriend.
I need a response.. ASAP.

[ccsmod15]

It can be difficult to ask for help, and we are glad you reached out to us today. It sounds like you are not happy at home and are interested in leaving. We are not legal experts and consequences for running away can differ from city to city.

It is not illegal to runaway, but there can be consequences for both you and the person you are staying with. If you leave home and a runaway report is filed, if the police get involved the person you are staying with could be charged with what’s called harboring a runaway. In addition to being available by bulletin, we have a 24/7 hotline and are always here to provide additional support and resources, including legal referrals if you have addition questions about the consequences for running away.

We are glad you messaged us, and we are here to help you think through your options. Do not hesitate to call.

Good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

Im only 13 I no joke hate living here in this "house" with my mom and 2 brothers everday I end up crying...My mom even threatened my life...these words came out her mouth "If you tell anyone else what I do to you...I brought you into this world and i will definetly take you out." and if my room isnt clean she will flip and punch me corner me in the wall one time she beat me so bad I had cuts and bruises on my back and when she does this she ask me like " Do you want to die..because I will and can kill you right now" and I hate my life I've tried suicide 2 times and havent succeeded. So I made a plan to move out when I get enough money I vow and defeitly will when I'm 16 there are jobs that hire at 14 and I can start saving up....I dont care where I live I just want to be out and awsay from this house and I will never contact my mom or brothers again..they can miss me with that. They dont love me ...why should I love them. But the other night she was beating me for clothes being on my floor and I had bruises on my back after that that was my 2 time trying suicide, it didnt work because i was too scared because their was so much that i wanted to do in life but i knew she wouldd keep me from having fun and freedom from her.But the other day I told her that I dont even want to live here anymore and she told me to go and take off all the clothes that she bought me so I found some of the stuff my biological dad bought me and sum of my friends and walked out no shoes....really short pajama shorts a crop top and a cropped jacket. I made it to my cousins house who lives like 7 houses away from me when she pulls up in her car and tells me to get in....Im now on punishment...she thinks im doing homework but im writing this.She calls me dumb,ungrateful,stupid,ugly,etc. like u made me so u made an ugly stupid dumbass ungratfull daughter. I HATE LIVING HERE.I DONT WANT TO LIVE HERE PLEASE HELP ME CONTACT 911 I'M AFRAID THIS IS GONNA END IN A BAD WAY IF I DONT GET OUT OF HERE.

[ccsmod10]

Hello!

It was very brave and courageous of you to reach out to National Runaway Safeline. You do not deserve to be treated the way your family is treating you. You should feel loved and respected by your family. You have a voice ad you should be able to use it. Your home should be a place of safety, not some place where you want to leave. No one should be beating you or leaving marks on you.

You mentioned before that you attempted suicide twice before. You deserve to live. You have a purpose and your life has value. It may be hard to see the positives when things seem to be really rough. You could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1800-273-8255) and they would be able to provide you with further support with some of the suicidal feelings you might be having!

Your mom beating/hitting you is something that should not be happening. You could make an abuse report if that is something that you feel comfortable with. You could contact Child Help (National Child Abuse Hotline) at 1800-422-4453 and they would be able to provide you with further assistance with making a report and answering any possible questions you may have regarding reporting and abuse.

You stated that you want to leave home and live elsewhere. You have a couple of options you can think about. You might want to consider contacting any family or close friends that would feel comfortable allowing you to stay with them whether it be for a short period of time or long term. If that does not seem like an option you can always go to homelessshelterdirectory.org. They can provide you with shelters in your area that might best suite your needs.

Lastly, we are always here to help you. You can reach out to us by phone at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). From there we would be able to help you call your local police and aid you in any way that we can. If you prefer not to call us we also have a chat on our website at ww.1800runaway.org. Our services are confidential and are 24/7. We’re here to listen, here to help.

Stay safe,
National Runaway Safeline

[Guest]

runaway cuz I can't take it anymore can the police force me to go back home

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. From your email to us here, we can see that you have very similar questions to a lot of our callers and you’re looking for some answers. It seems like there must be a lot going on in your life, especially at home, if you’re thinking about leaving home. It’s great that you were able to find out some information about our hotline. Hopefully we can help.

As a minor (under the age of majority), you aren't able to leave home without your parents’ permission. We aren’t legal experts, but what generally what typically happens if a minor runs away, is that your parents would be able to make a runaway report. As far as we know, you can’t be arrested for running away but if the police find you, they can return you home. A good way to find out exactly what the police protocols are in your city, would be to reach out to your local non-emergency police. You can ask them hypothetical questions about running away. If you'd like, we can also look for legal aid resources.

If you give us a call on our 24/7 fully confidential hotline, at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) we could help answer some of those questions you have and could potentially help you brainstorm a solution to the issues you are having. We also have an online chat service through our website (www.1800runaway.org) if you don’t feel like calling in to talk on the phone.

Best, NRS

[Guest]

I’m 17 1/2 and left home. am I able to contact someone to allow me to stay with a friend??? I come from a toxic and abusive home. I feel it’s best if I live apart. What can I do?

[ccsmod10]

Hi there,

Thanks for contacting National Runaway Safeline.

It seems like you are dealing with a rough time. It must be very difficult to have lived in a toxic and abusive home. You are quite strong to have made it this far. To answer your question, there is not a designated person you could contact to get any permission to stay with a friend aside from your legal guardian or parent. However, if you are feeling like your home is toxic and abusive, as a minor, you do have the right to report abuse. With reporting, you would likely be removed from the home or, due to already being close to 18 and if that is the legal adult age in your state, there may be an option for an alternative living arrangement if the reporting results in an investigation. If you would like to know some of your options regarding reporting, please give us a call. If you do not want to do any reporting, which you do not have to do at all, we would like you to know that it is not a crime to leave your home. You have every right to decide what is best for your wellness and your safety. At your age, you are considered a minor so, if you do choose to run away and your parents or legal guardians choose to file you as a runaway, you do risk the possibility of having to go back home or to a living arrangement of your guardian or parent’s choice if you were to encounter authorities while still being the age of a minor. However, considering the things going on in your home and the fact that you are one year from legal adult age, there may be some ways to avoid being returned back home depending on who you inform about your circumstance and your reasons for leaving. If you would like to explore your options further or talk about things, we are here to help and you are more than welcome to give us a call on our 24/7 hotline at 1800-RUNAWAY.

You can also chat with us live at any time by visiting our website at 1800runaway.org.

We hope to hear from you soon.

[Guest]

I'm 16 and I want to run away from my stepmom and stepsisters because they make me feel like I'm a nothing.

[ccsmod10]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS!

We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. It can be very frustrating not knowing what to do or what your next step might be from this point on. It’s brave of you to reach out during your time of need. We have a database of resources and if you’re able to call in, we can try to brainstorm with you and get a better idea of your situation. If you have run away and somewhere to stay, we can try to find a runaway shelter for you.

Our safeline is open 24/7. We also have a chatting service via our website, if you’re not comfortable talking on the phone. The best way to contact us would be to call in and talk with our trained liners.

Be well, NRS

[Guest]

I'm sixteen and my parents don't physically abuse me but they insult me and treat me like dirt. Can I still go to a friends house and him not get in trouble?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I'm sixteen and my parents...

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you are frustrated by the lack of respect given to you from your parent’s. You don’t deserve to be insulted or treated unfairly.
Your feelings matter. We are not legal experts and only can provide some general legal information. Someone under 18 that leaves home, their parent/guardian may file them as a runaway and they may be returned home if picked up by the police. Also, those that a reported runaway stays with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. Anyone found to be assisting or aiding someone to run away may also find themselves at risk legally. For more specifics on the law, you might consider contacting the local non-emergency number for the police. This number can be found online.
We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. If you would like to talk more about your situation we are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

Take care,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

My friend Is 16 ... she is going to run away in a couple months. She is going out of state to a safe stable house. But is scared how far they will go to find her. She knows she can make it out of state. But wants to know will an amber alert be sent out if she leaves a note saying she willing left and didn’t want to stay.

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that your friend is faced with right now and you’re wanting to find a way to help them as they mentioned wanting to run away. It’s great that your friend has support and concern from you especially since this time is quite difficult for them.
You questioned if the police will actively look for your friend and put out an amber alert. First we want you to know that we are not legal experts but to our knowledge amber alerts are for kidnapped and suspected kidnapped youth. And if you want to know how far the police will go to find her it could be a good idea to reach out to your local police and ask them what steps they take.
Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
We’re here to listen and to help and hope you or your friend can reach out soon.
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm thinking of running away.

I have recently been talking to my girlfriend about running away from me because both of our lives at home aren't great. So we've been talking and we are both 16. Is it legal to run away at 16? If we have a safe and happy place to be, will we be okay to run away? Also, what if the police get involved? Will they force us to go back home if we're safe?

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

My mom and i have been fighting since i was young just cause that’s the relationship we have. But we fight so much to the point where we are screaming and she makes threats and I do and all that. But usually when this happens my plans get cancelled and all my devices are taken away leaving me with nothing. Even if I do nothing wrong, or even when I do what I need to do she still says no because of the mood she is always in. If I stay at my friends house tonight and turn off my location app and not tell her where I’m going, she will call the police saying either I ran away, the parents picked me up or I’m being unsafe or anything. Could I get in trouble by police if I just want the night to myself. I don’t want police showing up at my my friends door with all my friends in the room, I don’t want my friends parents to get into trouble or me. I want to stay at my friends and have a calm night with out any trouble or legal action what’s so ever!!! Please help!!!

[ccsmod6]

Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re sorry to hear you have such a rocky relationship with your mother. Hopefully you can get your other to relax a bit this evening. Though it is not really against the law to run away in most instances it is against the law to harbor a runaway. It sounds from what you said that your mother might be willing to make this hard on your friend and her family and it doesn’t sound like you want to. Is it possible your mother might change her mind as the evening wears on and could you arrange another night to have a calm evening at your friend’s?
Again, thank you for reaching out to us. We realize how difficult it can be to ask for help when you are trying to figure out your options. If you would like to discuss your options further feel free to chat with us at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-Runaway . We’re here to listen, here to help.

[Guest]

I have a 16 year old grandson that is leaving in SC! His father pasted at a young age and his mother is on drugs! He is living with his fathers mother and hates it there! He tells me he's going to run away! His grandma has nothing todo with me because of his mother! Which is sad! If he would come here I can be charged is that the law? I'm just looking for some help because i don't want no trouble! But he is more than welcome to my home I just don't want to be in trouble!

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out.

Sounds like your grandson is in a really tricky situation and has been through so much. He's lucky to have a supportive adult in his life like you. That has to be frustrating that you are not in his life due to his mother.

Unfortunately, in South Carolina, the majority age or legal age a youth becomes an adult is 18. So if he left home his guardian could file a runaway report for him, and if he is found at your by police you could be at risk of being charged with harboring a runaway by his guardian. Harboring a runaway is generally a misdemeanor charge.

You might try to give your grandson our information: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org, so we can provide him with support and help brainstorm his options with him. We are confidential, non-directive, and here to help. Thanks you again for reaching out for him and we wish you the best,

NRS