Texas age 13

My parents are good people, like they care about my education and stuff, but they're too overprotective. I've tried talking to them about it but they don't understand. I've thought about this a lot and running away is my last resort. I'm 13 and not sure if I have anywhere to go, I can get resources but I'm not sure how long they'll last me. My parents took all my electronics away, I can try to find them but no promises. If I can't find them I won't have a way to find somewhere to stay. My friend has said multiple times that she would do anything for me, but I think harboring a runaway might just be too much for her. This is the only thing I can do to get help right now, I can't go to a different website or call any numbers.

[ccsmod5]

Hey there,

Thanks for reaching out to us. We are always here for you and we are here to help in any way we are able to. You are not alone in this.

It sounds like home life is getting to be too stressful for you if you’re thinking about running away. We’re here to talk and listen if you want to call or chat with us. If you do decide to leave home, we can look to see if there’s runaway shelters in your area. Reach out to us if you’d like those resources.

Again, thank you for reaching out. If you want to talk more about what you’re going through at home, we are always here. Call us or chat with us via our website www.1800runaway.org

Thanks, NRS

I wanna run away so bad, I need to get out. How can I get out of here and not be found?

[ccsmod1]

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about your situation, it is good to see that you are looking at your options and trying to figure out your next steps.

To begin, although we are not legal experts here at NRS we can tell you that it is not a crime just to run away. Yet, since you are a minor it is possible that if your parents decide to press charges against whoever you stay with then they may get in trouble for harboring a runaway. Along with this, it is also possible that the police may force you to go back to your legal guardians. Since we do not know too much about your situation we are unable to give much guidance, yet if you would like to give us a call we are available at 1800-786-2929 anytime and we are confidential. We also provide the service to create abuse reports or make calls to Child Protective Services (CPS) if you are interested. If you'd like more information regarding CPS reporting you can check out childhelp.org.

Perhaps we could come up with a plan together that focuses on your safety and possible solutions to any problems you might be going through. Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot to ask for help and you are trying to figure out your options which is really good to see. If you would like to talk further about your situation please do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We’re here to listen, here to help.

-NRS

Im 13 and im a runaway from home im not alone my two cousins came with me but if the police catches me do i have to go back home or can a refuse and remain where i am?

[ccsmod9]

Thanks so much for reaching out to us. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult situation, and just want some more information to help yourself. We are here to help you in any way we can.
We are not legal experts, and information can vary state to state, so all the information we provide is very general. It is possible that there are different laws where you live. These specific questions can be answered by your local law enforcement. You can reach out and have your questions answered by your non-emergency police department (not 911). You don’t have to provide any personal or identifying information that might jeopardize your safety. If you can’t find the contact info for your local police department feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-786-2929 for help.
If you do choose to leave home without permission before you are 18, you could be filed as a runaway. Running away is not considered a crime, so the police’s top priority would be to return you home. If the police find you their top priority would be to return you home, not to arrest you.
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any other questions. You can chat with us on our website or call us at 1-800-786-2929. We are completely confidential and here 24/7. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

Can you be charged if you are reported as a run away and you run away from the law when they find you in Texas?

[ccsmod0]

Hey there,

We're so sorry to hear you are struggling with your mom being intoxicated and feel like you need to leave for a bit. Because you are under the age of 18, your mother could file a runaway report when she sees you have left the house. You could send her a text and let her know you are with a friend or maybe a family member. If you are with family, she may feel more comfortable with you being away from home. If she does report you as a runaway, she can request the police to pick you up and bring you home. Ultimately, you know what is best for you and your safety.

Best of luck,
NRS

Im 13 and my mother is often intoxicated, is it okay if i then leave the home for a bit while things calm down or could i still get reported as a runaway

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you are planning on running away to a church and would like to know what could happen if you leave.

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. 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.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org

what is the worst thing that can happen to me if i run away in texas and i stay at a church and i do nothing against the law

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like home life has become really stressful and it’s understandable that you would want to leave. We are sorry to hear that you are going through so much trouble at home. You don't deserve that and this is not your fault. You shouldn't have to live like that. If you are feeling unsafe at home you have the option to file an abuse report. You can call Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 and they can help her provide information on filing an abuse report. Family counseling can be helpful in many cases. You can contact your school counselor or call 1-800-950-NAMI and they can help provide you counseling resources.

Leaving home can be hard and it can be helpful to think about where you might live and how you might pay for food, rent, and other living expenses. We are not legal experts however, speaking generally if you are to leave home without your parents permission the police can bring you back home and whoever you are staying with could be charged with harboring a runaway and get in trouble with the law. You can always contact us at 1800-Runaway if you want to talk over your options. We are 24/7, confidential and here to help. Best of luck!

i barricaded the door to my apartment after i ran away im 13 what should i do

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen.
We are not legal experts but if you were to leave home your legal guardian could file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they most likely would bring you home. Once you turn 18 the runaway report would go away and would not be on your record.
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 provide support to you best of luck!
NRS

So what if I run away before im 18 and I have no special cases on me. If I am able to stay uncaught until im 18 will I have my freedoms ? I am currently 14.