17 year old runaway law in Colorado

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Hello #27,
Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It sounds like you are concerned for your daughter’s boyfriend and his sibling. From what you mentioned it seems like they are stuck in a hard place and you just want to help them out. We are very sorry to hear about this.
Your heart is in the right place, trying to help these kids but they are being blocked from all helpful resources. If you think that it might help, you can pass along our phone number to them. We can talk to them more about their situation. We will try to work with them to brainstorm ways to make their living situation better, regardless if that is at home or not. We are not here to talk kids into or out of anything, our main concern is safety.
One support resource you may find helpful is Child Help (National Child Abuse Hotline), a hotline dedicated to preventing child abuse and assisting children in need. The number is 1-800-422-4453 or you can go to childhelp.org. You as a concerned parent have the right to make a report and have an agent come out and investigate. If you ever feel as if their safety is in danger you can always call the police over to their house to do what is called a “safety check”.
Again, thank you for contacting us. We hope this information helped. Please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY for more direct support.
We hope to hear from you soon,
NRS

I am a parent concerned about my daughter's boyfriend's home situation. He communicates with us because his guardians are narcissistic and controlling of most "safe" places he should be able to turn to for communicating his need to talk to someone for advice (like school, church and local therapists), but they have forbidden him to speak to us and us to him. We don't want to turn him away when he reaches out to us, but don't want legal trouble either. The guardians have talked to lawyers who have told them to report to DFS on us. So he is stuck in a tough situation. He is being told what to think, say and do by his guardians and everyone the guardians have spoken to that he could have turned to if things were normal. What can we do, or advise him to do? The kids are both under 18 with a 2 year age difference between them.

[ccsmod9]

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hello there,

Thanks for reaching out to us here on the National Runaway Safeline forum. It sounds like things are pretty hard right now with dad always yelling at you. That can be a really frustrating environment to live in.

We’re sorry to hear that dad continually tells you that you’re able to leave but calls the police on you when you go. Unfortunately, as long as you’re still a minor he will have the right to keep doing that. We’re not legal experts here, but we do know that you’d need to be considered an adult in the eyes of the law before you’d be able to leave home without the threat of the police getting involved. Even if your brother is an adult, you’re still underage.

It sounds like home life is causing you some stress. If you’d like, you could try calling in here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). In addition to emotional support for this trying time, we’d also be able to offer a conference call service with you and your father. If you’d like to try to have a conversation with him about how life at home is and what you’d like to see changed, we’d be able to help facilitate that conversation and try to help reach a compromise with your father. If this sounds like a good idea to you, please don’t hesitate to call! We’re 24/7 and confidential.

Best of luck,
NRS

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

hey so I am 16 and my dad tells me if i am not happy I can just leave the house and everytime I do he calls the cops. The thing is he yells at me and my brother all the time and my brother is 18 so what if I ran away with him since he is 18

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Reply: 18 in a few days and I'm going to leave

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

In most states the legal age of adulthood is eighteen meaning that legally you are an adult and independent to make your own decisions.
Check with your local police department to learn the age of majority by calling the non-emergency number and ask about the legal age stature in your state.

Take care,
NRS

18 in a few days and I'm going to leave

So I turn 18 on November 19th and I've been not getting along with my parents ever since I can remember is constant fighting.... there's moments where there is peace in the house but after one fight happens a avalanche of other stuff comes after that and that can drag out for a long time. My boyfriend and I have been dating for a long time and he's asked for me to go and live with him till things could get better or just live with him permanently.
After I turn 18 this Saturday will I be able to leave with out having the police drag me back home? Will I run into and legal problems?

[ccsmod16]

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hello,
Thank you for calling the National Runaway Safeline. It is very brave of you to reach out to us during this difficult time. It sounds like you've had a tough experience with the group home and you do not want to go back. While we are not legal experts at NRS, it does not seem likely that the group home would return your belongings while you're a runaway, and there's no guarantee they'll return them when you turn 18. If you do not want to go back to the group home because you don't feel safe, it's important to contact your caseworker and explain the situation so that you could get moved to a different one. If you decide that you do not want to go back to any group home, it's important to make sure you are safe on the streets. This includes planning out a place to stay and ways to afford food. If you ever find yourself homeless, you can give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY and we could help you find a shelter to stay at. You can also give us a call if you want some legal aid resources which could provide you with more direct legal advice regarding your rights in this specific situation. Once again, thank you for calling and we hope to hear from you soon. Good luck!

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hi,
I'm a 17 year old runaway in the state of Colorado. I ran away from the group home I was in and they filed a runaway report at the police station. I ran away Thursday night and now it's currently Sunday. I tried to go back last night and get my stuff from the group home but they already had it packed away and locked up so I couldn't get it. They said I had to get permission from my caseworker to be able to get my stuff back and for obvious reasons there there is no way my caseworker is going to approve of that. I have never done anything criminal and I was taken out of my house because of abuse. I am now trying to figure out what to do and what my rights are. I have about 4,000 dollars but the group home is in possession of all that money. What are my options? What are my rights? I refuse to go back in the system.

[ccsmod0]

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hello,
Thank you for replying to this bulletin.
It sounds like you have some specific questions about how to get in contact with a judge to tell them your side of the story. As mentioned before we are not legal experts, so we would not know how to go about this process. One way that you may be able to get some answers is if you contact the number previously provided for Child Help 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) you might be able to talk to a case worker about the judicial process.
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

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us. It must be difficult not to feel supported by your mom during this challenging time. It sounds like you are unable to reach out to others for support. We’re here to listen.

You're asking a good question. We aren't legal experts, but we are able to speak generally as to what might happen if you decide leave without your mom's permission. If you do decide to leave, your mom has the right to file a runaway report with the police. Unfortunately, even if you tell the police that your mom told you to leave, the police could return you to your mom if she filed a runaway report. The reason for this is because your mom is legally responsible for you until you turn 18. If you told the police that you feel unsafe, they would most likely contact Child Protective Services, and still return you home. Then CPS would investigate to see if you are safe there.

You stated that you feel like you are being verbally and physically abused. If that is the case, it may be helpful to reach out to Childhelp a national child abuse hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) to gain a better idea of what the process of leaving home may look like in your area.

Another option to consider is a conference call. This is service that we provide if you feel you need a third party on the line while having a conversation with your mom. Communicating how you feel to your family is not always easy and we would be happy to provide support.

For additional support or resources please feel free to give us a call at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We're anonymous, confidential and available 24/7. You can also chat with us through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm Central Time. We're here to help, talk through other options, listen to what going's on and just be a general support to you.

Best of luck,

NRS

Ok so if a parent is abusive to children and they want to speak to a judge so they can live with the other non-abusive parent, what do the children need to do? I didn't see the "abuse" mentioned at all. There are parents that are getting away with verbal and emotional abuse way too much. Please advise...Thank you and good luck to all children living in such a dysfunctional environment.

[ccsmod0]

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to reach out and find out some options that you have available it sounds like you are thinking about getting emancipated or trying to find a way to be able to move in with your boyfriend.
We want you to know that we are not legal experts but according to our resources on emancipation ["Emancipated juvenile", as used in section 19-2-511, means a juvenile over fifteen years of age and under eighteen years of age who has, with the real or apparent assent of the juvenile's parents, demonstrated independence from the juvenile's parents in matters of care, custody, and earnings. The term may include, but shall not be limited to, any such juvenile who has the sole responsibility for the juvenile's own support, who is married, or who is in the military.] This is basically saying that in order to be considered for emancipation a youth has to be at least 15years old and living apart from their parents with their knowledge or permission. They have to be able to make sure that they can take care of themselves mentally, physically, and financially. Or the youth has to be married or in the armed forces.
You also mentioned that their family is willing to go to court in your behalf. If this is the path that you want to go down we can defiantly provide you with some legal resources in your area.
You deserve to be safe around the people you are living with. The last thing we want is for you to be in an environment that is dangerous for you. If you feel comfortable you can give us a call and one of our trained liner will be happy to assist you. 1-800-RUNAWAY
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

17 in a month and a half

I am turning 17 really soon and I haven't lived with my mother in over a year. She lives in Nebraska and my father lives in Montana, I live in Colorado. She is "allowing" me to live here with an older couple but they are not my legal guardians. My mother rarely talks to me, she won't even take the time to sign a paper saying the people I live with an take me to the Dentist or give me my birth certificate so I can get my permit.

I either want to get emancipated or move in with my boyfriend and his family. They said they would fight her in court. She doesn't support me and she doesn't even know anything that goes on in my life. The only time she talks to me is when I am wanting to do something that she considers growing up and then she trys to make me not do it. Like getting a job, moving out or going to school. It took her 2 weeks to answer my phone calls bout school. I want to be in a safe environment and my boyfriend's mother is willing to give me that.

His mother doesn't drink or do drugs but my mother, father and the people I live with do. I do not feel comfortable or safe by any means and I refuse to go back into a group home or foster care.


What should I do?

[ccsmod15]

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to us at NRS. We’re sorry to hear that you are in such a tough situation. It must be really frustrating to have such serious conflicts with your parents.
Please know that we are not legal experts here at NRS. Your legal rights will depend on your location and your individual situation. In most places, you are not considered a legal adult until you are 18. That means that your parents can report you as a runaway. The police may or may not compel you to return home. One thing you might consider is to call the non-emergency police number in your city. You don’t have to give your name, but you can ask them what their policies are regarding 17 year olds who leave home without parental permission. You can also ask about the age of consent, which means the age which you are legally allowed to have sex with your boyfriend.
It sounds like you’re giving a lot of thought to moving. Are there other options that you have considered? Maybe a family friend or relative could help you communicate with your parents. We would be happy to talk through options with you. It sounds like you are trying really hard to make a responsible decision, which is great. We’re here to listen 24/7.
Take care,
NRS

Re: 17 year old runaway law in Colorado

Lately my parents and I have not been getting along at all. They have told me to get out of their house but every time I agree they say no and threaten to call the cops on me and report me as a runaway. I am 17 years old, I have a job, and am going into my senior year of high school. I want to move out, and yes I know many 17 year olds say that and want that but I honestly feel like moving out is the best choice for me. Every time me and my parents get into a fight they tell me to move out and when I try they threaten to call the cops, report me as a runaway and try to call "statutory rape" on my 18 year old fiancé. This is all ridiculous and I want to know if they can really do this to me and him? They have also constantly said that if I go to the police they will tell them that I tried to either attack my mom or my grandma, or they'll even say that I got in my father's face. Which none of this is true but the police have believed them in the past. I just want to know what it is that I can do. I honestly can't take fighting with them anymore and I'm tired of hearing how much I ruin my siblings lives and how I am going to be the cause of my parent's divorce if I keep being the way that I am. Please help? Let me know what I can do and if they really can call me a runaway and get my fiancé in trouble?

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RE: Im 17 in a half in a foster home.

Hello there –

Thanks for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline on our public forum. From your post to us here, we can see that you’re going through a really hard time right now. We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. You certainly don’t deserve to be treated that way at all. It can be very frustrating not knowing what to do or what your next step might be from this point on and thinking about what would happen if you did leave your house. It seems very strange that the state wouldn’t consider your thoughts or feelings about what happened to you before they took you into their custody. Do you know if there was some type classes or training that your mother might have done with the state in order to keep custody of you? Sometimes that is a requirement depending on the charges. Also, if you are feeling that you are in danger or scared please don’t hesitate to call out to the police. They can come and check up on things for you.
If you’re thinking about running away from home there might be some consequences. Generally what typically happens in each state is if you are below the legal age of majority (18 in most states except Alabama and Nebraska [19 or upon marriage], and Mississippi [21]), your parents would be able to make a runaway report in the event that you do run away. Since it’s only considered a statues offense and not a crime to run away, the only thing that would happen is that the police will pick you up and bring you back home. This is of course if you had any interaction with the police directly or if they stopped you to ask you a few questions. It can be a little tricky at the age of 17, but there are some cases in which a police officer won't take a runaway report for someone that is 17. Especially if there are a little closer to turning 18 years old, along with having already graduated high school. This is not the case all the time of course, but it is something that we have heard of happening before. The only way to know for sure of that would be to reach out to your local non-emergency police and asking them hypothetical questions about running away. Knowing some facts about the subject can help you formulate a plan of action and you can see for yourself what would be possible and what isn't possible for you to do.

If you give us a call on our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) we could help you find resources in your area and could potentially help you brainstorm a possible solution to the issues you are having. We would love to talk to you about what has been going on recently that is making you want to leave home. We also have an online chat service available every day.