Running away to a friends house

[Guest]

im 14 and wanting to run away from my adoption family

theirs a lot of problems where im at, my adoption mom wants to kick me out but ill have places to go, she said if im gone shes gonna call the police would i get my friend in trouble for going to his house also i live in North Carolina

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out; we are glad that you did. It sounds like there is a lot of stress and problems at home right now and that your adoptive mom is threatening to put you out and report you if you leave.

If she did put you out, she is legally not allowed to do that, so the correct agency to help you is your state's Child Abuse Hotline.
As far as living with your friend, she does have the right to file a runaway report if you go and have police return you from your friend's house.
We do work best when we can have a conversation with you, so we hope that you will reach out to our live services. You can chat us through this website or call our hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)
We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 12 and I wanna runaway I have everything planned will the cops search for me in the united states? Is it ok if i go to my friends house?

[ccsmod15]

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]

hi, i'm 12 and since ive been 11 me and my moms relationship has been terrible. she beats me and ive had bruises but to everyone she can lie so good and everyone belives her. today we got into an argument and im suspended so i have to stay home and i was in my room upset and she walked inand told me to get out of my room and she grabbed my arm and pinned me on the wall and told me "stop being disrespectful" and i ignored her and she said "youre always so nonchalant" and i just said "okay" i have really bad claustrophobia and i freak out when im in tight spaces and i dont have control over what happens next (i like things to be planned out, or repeated) and she put her arm over my neck and i was freaking out, so i was gasping for air and i had a notebook and i threw it in her face to get her off of me (it worked) and then she just started yelling and saying "thats why dad doesnt love you" "dad cant protect you forever" and she said "if you cant follow my rules you can gtfo" and i said "okay let me leave then" and she said "okay pack your ******** up" so she basically gave my consent or permission to leave right?? if i leave and go to a friends house will that be legal? even if she calls the cops? i just want to know what to do because i cant live like this anymore. and i live in maryland and ive been getting into things i shouldnt, like drinking, doing drugs exc. and it would be better at my friends house because her mom actually acts like a mom and doesnt judge me when i tell her the things ive been doing she helps me stop.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We recognize the courage and strength it takes to reach out for help in a situation like this. We are sorry to hear that you are going through this experience with your mom and we want you to know that you absolutely do not deserve to be talked to like that or physically harmed, under any circumstance. We would like to support you during this time in whichever way we can. It sounds like you feel like your mom may have given you consent for you to leave your home. Unfortunately, we are not experts on the law. However, we do have our general knowledge and understanding of the situation. From what we know, because you are 12 years old, it is still technically illegal for you to live with anyone other than your legal guardian. If your mom were to call the police, the police may bring you home. Your mom would then also potentially have the option to press charges against the person you are staying with for "harboring a runaway." Please know that this is not a definite answer of the outcome, but they are certainly possibilities of challenges you may face if you leave the house.

From the information you provided, we are unsure if you have made reports on the abuse you are facing. Please know that you can contact CPS at any time to make a report and we also encourage you to please call 911 if you find yourself in imminent danger.

We also see that you mentioned you have been engaging in things such as drinking and drug use. It sounds like you may not want those things in your life, based on what you have shared with us. We would be glad to have the opportunity to talk more with you about the situation and connect you with outside resources as well that could help you find healthy coping strategies or rehab services if applicable. Please feel welcome to reach out to us on our online chat portal found directly on our website at www.1800runaway.org or you may contact us by phone call at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

We wish you health, happiness, and safety.

Kindly,
NRS

[Guest]

hello, i am a 12, nearly 13 year old girl dealing with abuse at home and i would like to run away to a friends house, her parents said it was alright and that they can tell my mam about it and stuff i just dont feel safe here at my house, i live in ireland and i dont know if this is legal ?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. We’re sorry you’re going through this--you don't deserve to ever be hurt in any way. National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community-based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Can I legally run away to my partner's house without getting in trouble. I don't have a good home life and my sister even ran away when she was younger. I was allowed to be abused by siblings and get emotionally abused by my parents. I live in Chico, CA and am 2 months away from being 15.

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us! We understand it can be difficult to take the step of asking for help and we’re glad you did. We are not legal experts but we can help provide you with as much information as possible so that you may make an informed decision. Since you are under 18, your parents are able to report you as a runaway if you choose to leave home without permission. Being reported as a runaway does not mean you have committed a crime at all and does not lead to you being arrested; being reported as a runaway is simply a status offense. The consequence would normally be to be brought back home, which we understand is not ideal. If you encounter police while running away they are likely to try and bring you home, you can express to them that you feel unsafe going home if that is the case. Taking into consideration that your parents did not make your sister come home, there may be a chance they will do the same with you but you know them best!

You are also within your rights to report any abuse going on at home if this is an option you think might help. Making a report can be a big decision, you not obligated to make one when you reach out to us but if you wanted to ask any clarifying questions we would be happy to help. You can file a report with a hotline like us, or Child Help at www.childhelp.org. If you would like to continue this conversation in more detail or have any questions or concerns, please call or chat with us! We cannot respond to emails or forums more than twice. We are here to support you 24/7!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Heyyy, i'm 14 years old

I'm having problems at home. I wan't to run away to my friend house but I don't want her parents getting in trouble, I live in the USA. She said her parents don't mind if I stay with them. I'm also having second thoughts about running away, I'm scared that my mom might have an panic attack she did say she didn't want me around her anymore. I'm afraid that if I run away she going to get the police involved and make it look worse than what it is. I'm also struggling with depression and this house hold is making it worse for me. Is there going to be any issue with running away?

[ccsmod7]

Hi! Thank you for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like there is a lot going on at home that is very overwhelming. You are very strong for opening up about it because it can be tough to talk about. You always deserve to feel safe and comfortable in your own home, and to be supported through whatever you may be feeling.

We aren’t legal experts here at NRS. We do know that if you choose to leave home without your mom’s permission, she may file a runaway report. This means that if the police find you, they could bring you back home. Also, it is possible that your friend’s parents would be charged with harboring a runaway.

We are glad that you have a friend who is there to support you. Another option that you have is to reach out to another adult that you trust to talk about what has been going on at home and how you have been feeling. This could be another family member, a teacher, a coach, or someone else you feel comfortable speaking with. You mentioned that you are struggling with feelings of depression. A resource that may be helpful for you if you are in crisis is called Crisis Text Line. You can text HOME to 741741 at any time to be connected with a crisis counselor who can talk with you about what you are dealing with. You can also find more information on their website at crisistextline.org.

If you would like to talk more about what has been going on and create a plan, feel free to reach out to us at our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or through Live Chat on our website at https://www.nationalrunawaysafeline.org/. We are available 24/7 to provide you with more support.

Good luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 14 and i want to run away, my mom even said she wants me to leave but i know if i leave i'm going to be in big trouble. My friend said i can go with her but i don't want her parents getting in trouble. ive been really depressed and this house hold doesn't make it better. I WAN'T TO LEAVE!! I live in the USA is there going to be any issue of me running away? My mom taken me out of school keeping me in the house and its not fun. what do i do?

[ccsmod7]

Hi! Thank you for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like there is a lot going on at home that is very overwhelming. You are very strong for opening up about it because it can be tough to talk about. You always deserve to feel safe and comfortable in your own home, and to be supported through whatever you may be feeling.

We aren’t legal experts here at NRS. We do know that if you choose to leave home without your mom’s permission, she may file a runaway report. This means that if the police find you, they could bring you back home. Also, it is possible that your friend’s parents would be charged with harboring a runaway.

We are glad that you have a friend who is there to support you. Another option that you have is to reach out to another adult that you trust to talk about what has been going on at home and how you have been feeling. This could be another family member, a teacher, a coach, or someone else you feel comfortable speaking with. You mentioned that you are struggling with feelings of depression. A resource that may be helpful for you if you are in crisis is called Crisis Text Line. You can text HOME to 741741 at any time to be connected with a crisis counselor who can talk with you about what you are dealing with. You can also find more information on their website at crisistextline.org.

If you would like to talk more about what has been going on and create a plan, feel free to reach out to us at our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or through Live Chat on our website at https://www.nationalrunawaysafeline.org/. We are available 24/7 to provide you with more support.

Good luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I am 15 years old.
I have been experiancing alot of trouble at home, My parents are controlling and i live with a mentall illness which i do have control over but its hard to be happy at home. My parents do not let me see friends or leave the house and they treat me unfair and its always yelling back and forth between me and them, I am 15 and i do not even have a phone because they want to control that to. i have a girlfriend who i have been with for almost 7 months for in 7 ays we will be 7 months togethere and i havent been able to see her once our of school and its now summer. i have a few questions. Home if i plan on house hopping meaning staying at differant places would i get any of my friends in trouble? and second question. Can i get put in juvie for this? please helpp me anyone

[ccsmod16]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline for help – we are proud of you for contacting us for support! We care about you and please know that you deserve to be treated kindly by your parents. You asked if your friends will get in trouble if you stay at their houses and if you can get put in juvie if you leave home. We are not legal experts here at NRS, but we will do our best to answer your questions.

Because you are 15 and considered a minor, your parents may choose to file a runaway report if you leave home without their permission. Running away is considered a “status offense.” A status offense is a noncriminal act that is considered a law violation only because of a youth's status as a minor. Typical status offenses include truancy, running away from home, and violating curfew. If your parents choose to file a runaway report, the police may choose to look for you. If they find you at a friend’s house, the police will decide what to do based on your unique circumstances. They may choose to send you home. The police officers and legal system determine who goes to juvie and for what reasons, so we do not know if that would happen to you. You also asked if your friends can get in trouble if you stay at their houses. This is a possibility as it may be considered “harboring a minor.” Harboring a minor is when somebody allows a runaway to stay at their home without consent from the runaway’s parents. The police may choose to get involved.

If you would like to chat with us about your specific situation, please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or live chat with us at https://www.1800runaway.org 7 days/week. We are here to help!

[Guest]

I am 13 years old and trying to run away. I currently live with my abusive guardians. I need advice on what to do and if staying at a friend's house is illegal. I have suffered S.A and abuse I called cps but they didn't do anything. I was wondering if I ran away and was caught by the police what would happen? Also if the police detained me do you think I could report to them why I ran away and file a court case to get out of my guardian's care and live with my parents. I live in Cali.

[ccsmod7]

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 things with your guardians are abusive and unsafe and you're looking for a way out of that situation. While it's completely understandable why you'd like to leave, doing so when you're under 18 is difficult without parental permission. We aren't legal experts, but should your parents choose to file a runaway report you could be forced to return home and anyone you're staying with could be charged with harboring a minor. However, you are within your rights to report any abuse happening inside the home, www.childhelp.org is one resource when looking to report abuse, and we can also assist you in filling out an abuse report if you call or chat us. But whether or not you choose to report is up to you, and there are pros and cons in doing so. Maybe when you call or chat with us we can talk more about what those are. nami.org is also a great resource for finding strategies to heal from the aftermath of abuse.

We are here as support through this challenging time and we can best help by having a conversation with you either by phone on our hotline or chatting us through our website. We truly hope to hear from you soon so that we can listen and help.

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]

What if I runaway to a family members house, what would happen in that situation?

[ccsmod1]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS) regarding your question about running away to a family member's house. Please note that we are not legal experts. However, it is to our knowledge that any individual under the age of 18 that runs away from home to live with someone else may run the risk of that person becoming charged for "harboring a runaway." It is often one of various possibilities and could sometimes be a case-by-case basis. We would be happy to talk further with you about this, if you would like. We have staff on our lines 24/7 who could help locate resources near you that may help with any further legal questions as well. Please feel welcome to reach out through our chat portal, found on our website at www.1800runaway.org or give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

We look forward to the opportunity to talk further with you and we wish you all of the best ahead.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m twelve years old, i live in Australia, im planning on running away from home bc my parents are forcing me to do a sport and when i’m not passionate about anything they get really mad at me and not talk to me for a long time. What do i do? Can i run to my friends house or tell a friend?

[ccsmod16]

Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are sorry to hear about your situation at home. It sounds very difficult and stressful.

We are not legal experts at NRS and cannot tell you exactly what would happen if you were to runaway. Moreover, since the National Runaway Safeline is based in the United States, reaching out to the Kids and Teens Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) in Australia can help you explore options and gain more information.

It is important that you take care of yourself. Talking with school counselor, teacher, or another trusted adult can be super helpful along with other coping mechanisms. Talking to your friend is also an option.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I live in foster family I'm legally adopted I'm 13 I live in Ohio what If I ran away to friend's house would my friends parents get in trouble My birth parents did drugs there Done with drugs Is there a way that I can live with them long-term in ohio

[ccsmod15]

Hello and thanks for reaching out to the Runaway Safeline. Your situation sounds really stressful and you deserve to live some where you feel safe and taken care of.

First of all, if you were to leave your home without the permission of your legal guardian, they could file a police report and have you returned to them. And yes, your friend’s parents could get into trouble for what is known as “harboring a runaway”. This could be a serious charge, so it is smart of you to consider this possibility.

Another possibility for leaving home, if you feel that you are being neglected or are living in an unsafe environment, is you could file a report with Child Protective Services. It sounds like you may have already had some experience with CPS, but if you have not been placed in a suitable home, you still deserve to be helped. This is something you can do by yourself by contacting Childhelp.org, or we, at NRS, can help you file a report as well.

It might be helpful for us to know more details about your situation in order to give you the best advice. If you would like more support, please feel free to call us or chat with us online at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)/ 1800runaway.org any time in order to talk in more detail. Good luck!

[Guest]

I'm 14 and I cant stay here

I live in Mo. We live and a filthy camper that my parents refuse to keep clean. This happened at our old house too. It was covered in rat feces and other bodily fluids, trash was stacked high enough it made it hard to walk. My parent's drink constantly and refuse to do anything to fix our situation. We currently dont have hot water or cleaning products of any kind. I'm constantly blamed for the problems we have and am forced to deal with it myself.

I have had mental health issues over looked and blatantly refused to be taken to a doctor about. I had doctors appointments for a broken foot that was canceled after it became to expensive.

I want to run away to my girlfriends house but I'm scared of what will happen to her and her dad

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
thanks for reaching out; we are glad that you did. Your home sounds truly awful between the dirt and bodily fluids and the constant drinking. And your foot never having been healed with a doctor's help is wrong and awful too.
If you go to your girlfriend's house and you tell her parents to call your state's Child Abuse Hotline so that this situation can be reported, they will not get in any trouble for helping you to be safe.
If you want to talk further about this, please call us at our hotline 1-800-786-2929 or chat us through this website.
We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

I live in Indiana also and was a 10 year old runaway because I was being sexually abused and believe I was being sex trafficked! It’s hard and there is something called the youth shelter in the town I live in and they could probably help you or give you some ideas of what the laws are. I’m so sorry for the pain you are going through but please know just keep fighting for what’s right and eventually your life with be better.
feeling sorrow

[ccsmod3]

Hi there, thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you were a run away when you were 10 years old due to some abuse that happened and possibly being trafficked. We want you to know that you did not deserve to be treated this way. It can definitely be helpful to talk with others who have similar experiences and helping provide support to others who are also struggling. A resource that might be able to help or give some options like that is the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888. You can talk to people who have somewhat of an understanding of what you possibly went through and might be able to provide you with some resources to connect you to additional support. If you would like to discuss further with us, please call our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat us online at 1800runaway.org.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 16, and living in Ohio. My mother doesn't physically abuse me I must admit but mentally I feel as though she does... I can't explain it but I don't feel safe here. Can the police force me to go home if I tell them I don't feel safe? I have money. and i know if i run away ill be safe. Im scared of getting found. Not because im scared of the police, im scared of my mom. I dont mentally feel safe at home and it's triggered some suicidal thoughts..

[ccsmod10]

We're thankful you reached out to us; it's not always easy. It sounds like your mom, despite not being physically abusive, has made you feel unsafe/unwelcome/uncomfortable at home. Emotional / verbal abuse are absolutely real, and they can have as deep of an impact as physical abuse.

A change of environment can make a big difference in one's mental health, and staying in a new space might help shake off the suicidal thoughts you expressed. If you were to leave home, your mom could technically report you as a runaway, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'd be forced to return home. It would allow law enforcement to look for where you were staying, but every police department handles these cases differently. In the case where older minors (like yourself) are fleeing an abusive home, you are more likely to be given agency around where you stay. It is technically possible they could return you home even if you didn't wish to.

You can look up the non-emergency phone number for your local police department and ask them how they would respond to your particular running away situation.

We are here to help every step of the way. Please don't be afraid to chat us at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY to discuss things more. You don't have to deal with this alone.

NRS