Running away in AZ

Hi I’m a 14 teen year old living in Az and I’ve lived with my grandparents. Currently I have been having conflicts with my Gmom and my Gdad keeps taking her side saying I’m being a smart ass when I really see it as she antagonizes me and tries to get a response. They are really old fashioned and they don’t seem to understand that they are raising a modern boy and girl. There punishment methods are stupid and pointless (they made my sister smoke 3 packs of cigarettes after they found out she vaped). I don’t vape, smoke, drink, or do drugs and I’m finally fed up with their constant ridicule and I’m ready to leave. I have asked my church about how to relieve this conflict but nobody seems to give a response that actually helps. I plan on staying in school and going to college I just can’t think of how I can bear this anymore. My parents are basically non existent since I was 2 so I can’t go to them and I can’t call CPS cuz I’m not being abused I’m just feeling like I’m being mentally. I just want a little freedom and just get away to where I can say something I’ve done research on and can prove and not have someone tell me I’m absolutely wrong and being disrespectful for having a different opinion. I’ve taught myself to drive okish and i came here asking what will happen if I do. Btw my 16 year old sister wants to come with me but I plan to leave her behind cuz she is my Gdads preferred kid (cuz she just deals with it when “mom”says something and she has a better chance then I do in school also she has 0 common sense sometimes.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS! Abuse of any kind is not okay and certainly not your fault. Home is supposed to feel safe and it can be really difficult when the adults in our lives are not supportive. It is understandable you would want to leave to live with someone you feel more comfortable with.

We are not legal experts by any means, but we can share some general information. If you leave without your mom's permission then she would have the right to file a runaway report. You would not be arrested, but the police would likely return you home if they knew where you were. Since you mentioned that your mom can be abusive, you could consider filing an abuse report although emotional and verbal abuse can be very difficult to prove. CPS might open an investigation and possible interventions could be mandated parenting classes for your mom. You can contact the national child abuse hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for more information.

If you thought talking to your mom about how you have been feeling would be helpful, please do not hesitate to call us. We can help you brainstorm what you might want to say to her and we can also facilitate a conference call with you and your mom. We would be on the line to advocate for you and make sure you feel your voice is being heard.

Give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat with us at 1800runaway.org if you would like to talk more about your situation and explore options.

Take care,
NRS

Hi, I’m 16 and im ready to leave. All my life I’ve been mistreated by my mom. She has always been mentally abusive. It’s only gotten worse when 8th grade came, i live In Arizona and want to move in with my girlfriend she is also 16 years old. Will I be able to leave without parents concent? Thank you.

[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 sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

I hate my family i don't feel loved in my family everytime i come back all my parents say is why did u come back or they say u should've stayed for longer. It really makes me sad and my parents get mad if i start crying.

[ccsmod16]

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. 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, 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. You can’t be arrested for running away. 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 are thinking about running away and somewhere to stay, we can try to find a runaway shelter for you. You mentioned that you don’t feel safe at home, that sounds really scary. We’re here to talk more about what’s going on if you feel like sharing more.

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 available through our website (www.1800runaway.org) if you don’t feel like calling in to talk on the phone.

Best, NRS

Can i run away

I dont like the way it is at home and i want to run away. I am 10 and i dont feel safe. Will i go to juvie if i run away?

[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

Hi. I have a difficult time right now and I want to run away from my home. I decided to live with my friends or my teacher. I just want to get out of this house because I feel like this house is like a prison for me. I don't have any freedom. I don't have the right to do things. Also, I'm not allow to have friends and my parents control me. I'm too scared to live here. I still don't have driving licence. But I will get it. I want to run away but also I don't want my mom to get angry at me. Please help me.

[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

Is it illegal to run away in Arizona and if I wanted to could I stay with my other family member since I'm almost 15 I can make my own decisions

[ccsmod3]

Hi, thanks for reaching out to us at NRS. We’re here to listen and help the best way we can. You mentioned you wanted info about the consequences of harboring a runaway in Arizona. We aren’t legal experts, but we can give you some general information. In most cases, harboring a runaway is a crime and is usually classified as a misdemeanor. It’s difficult to say what the punishment will be since it varies depending on the county. It might also open you up to a civil suit by the parents or guardians. But again that depends on the county you live in. To find out how this would be handled in your county, you can call the police and ask for more information.
There might be other options for the youth. If the youth wants to explore what those options might be, they can reach out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or use our chat line on our website www.1800runaway.org. Again, thanks for reaching out. Good luck!

What is the is the punishment in Arizona for harboring a minor runaway?

[ccsmod6]

Hello, thank you for reaching out during this difficult time. Although we are not legal experts, typically after you turn 18 any runaway reports are considered null and void by the police department. They would typically not be able to press any charges against someone who has since turned of legal adulthood. Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are always here to help you go over your options. We can be reached at any time at 1-800-RUNAWAY or online at https://www.1800runaway.org/. Please stay safe and contact us if you need any additional help.

If my mom reported me as a runaway but I'm about to turn 18 in three days, will there be legal consequences after I turn 18?