Texas age 13

[Guest]

If you are in danger contact your local authorities. If you are of school age and are in an abusive environment, tell your school principal or counselor. Even tell a friend if you are too afraid to ask for help! Don’t run away! Someone is always going to help! Just reach out to someone! You are loved!

[Guest]

Hi, I am 17 and live in Texas. Is it legal for me to run away without my parents filing a report?

[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]

I’m 14 if I run away from home in Texas what are the consequences and what would happen?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I’m 14 if I run away from home...


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 might be considering running away from home but would first like to know what might happen if you are picked up by the police.

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]

My girlfriend is 15 and would like to live with me (17) and we plan on leaving state because TX is a runaway state. once I leave the state would the police continue to actively search/follow me. shes doing it 100% by her own free will im not forcing her to do anything I just want to know if once we break state lines will the cops happen to expand their search passed the state line?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: My girlfriend is 15

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.
18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police.
What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case.

Generally speaking, once a runaway report is filed it goes in the national crime data base. If she encounter’s a police officer while reported as a runaway, she will likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a person who allows aids or harbor’s them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with the crime of aiding or harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

NRS is here to listen and here to help. If you or she would like to speak more about your situation, please contact 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org

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]

I’m 17 and want to run away is it legal

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share how you're feeling. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if you do opt to leave your home your parents/guardians can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned to your parents/guardians.

It’s important to consider all the possibilities that can occur if you leave home. You will need to plan out how you will cover basic necessities like travel, food, clothing, etc. If you have a place to go in mind, it’s good to see what the expectations of the living arrangement will be like; rules, the amount of time you’re allowed to stay, if you’re expected to contribute financially, etc. This can all influence your decision to leave.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

My son's legal guardian is my sister and he ran away and came to me. Can I keep him?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: My son's legal guardian

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.

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about your situation, we can best help by phone or chat. You are welcome to contact NRS at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org

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]

What if let's say you're 15 you run away from home in the state of Texas and you go to a friends house and they do agree to let you live there can they legally be arrested

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We are not legal experts but we do have general knowledge of the laws. If you were to leave home without permission your legal guardian does have the right to file an abuse report. You would not be arrested but most likely returned home.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to explore options. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

If you are 17 and your parents gave you the right to leave and you've been gone for almost 4 days. Can they go and file a runaway report and you still be taken back?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: If you are 17

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

They can make an attempt to file the runaway report. If it is filed the police can return you to your parent’s if you are picked up. It might be a good idea to consider getting something in writing from your parent’s stating that you have their permission to be away from home living as an independent. Another option is to contact the non-emergency number to your local police department and explain the situation and listen to what their actions might be in this scenario.

If you would like to speak more about your situation, please contact NRS at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org (Live chat).

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

If I'm 12 and wanting to run away what happens to me if y'all find me ? Do I just go back home with my parents

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for contacting National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We are not legal experts but we do have some information regarding running away. If you were to run away our organization does not look for you as we are completely anonymous. If you leave home without permission your parent’s do have the right to file a runaway report. If the police do find you they most likely would bring you home.
Running away is a big decision that only you would be able to make, whatever you do decide we want you to be safe. One thing to consider is the consequences of running away, where would you go, what you would do about money and food, and what your plan would be if a dangerous situation arises. One option you could consider is seeing if you would be able to stay with a family member or a friend. Another option you could consider is talking to your school counselor or therapist about why you want to run away, sometimes talking to a professional can help you feel better. There are other options out there that we can help you explore.
If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options further please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support to you. We wish you the best of luck in your situation!
NRS

[Guest]

What if u runaway and a few days go by and u call the police what would be the consequences

[ccsmod7]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out today. It's smart to ask questions like this.

Generally if you run away and then call the police, they would typically pick you up and return you home. There are not usually any legal consequences since running away is a status offense meaning it is not illegal, rather it's just something you cannot do because you are a minor.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat us if you would like to talk through your situation, or we can also call out to police with you if you are feeling nervous doing it on your own: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org. We are primarily concerned about your safety and truly want to help.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

What happens if i run away from home in texas?

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. If you are a minor (under 18 in the state of Texas) and you run away, your parents would have the right to file a runaway report with the police. If they do so it does not mean that you are in trouble or that you will get arrested. It simply means, if the police encounter you, they can notify your guardians and return you home. If you want to talk more about what is going on or if you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on our 24/7 hotline 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS