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Hey, I wanna run away. I have no freedom, nobody here likes me (just me my mom and my 2brothers) a lot has happened and I don’t have time to say everything since I’m on her iPad, i feel emotionally (and sometimes physically) abused, I can’t stay here but my grandma moved back to Illinois (MN here) please help
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Hey there, thanks for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It sounds like you’re going through a challenging time and it is incredibly resourceful of you to find us, and brave of you to reach out for support!
No one deserves to be harmed, in any way. If you’d like an abuse report filed, you can tell a teacher or school counselor, or also we can help you file a report.
We’re unsure where in Minnesota you are writing us from, so we’ve included some general youth agencies in your state. If you use our HOTLINE or CHAT services, we can look more specifically in your area or even call them with you.
The Bridge for Youth. Text (612) 400-SAFE. Or Call (612) 377-8800. https://bridgeforyouth.org/emergency-shelter/
180 Degrees. Call (320) 259-6764. https://www.180degrees.org/youth-residential.html
Evergreen Youth & Family Services. Call 218-751-4332. https://www.evergreenyfs.org/html/need-help.html
National Safe Place to find safe spaces for youth at https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/find-a-safe-place
If there is abuse/neglect at home, we can also talk to you about what filing an abuse report with Child Protective Services (CPS) might look like if you’re interested in that. You can also read more about it here: https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/c...rams-services/.
You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this difficult time.
We are limited in the number of times we can respond on the forum so if you’d like further contact, please instead contact us via our ONLINE CHAT SERVICE at www.1800runaway.org (click on the CHAT button) or our HOTLINE at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). We are here for you and wish you all the best, NRS.
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i’m 17 . and adopted . i don’t get along with my parents or any of their kids .. only two of my biological siblings that got brought with me . if i run away voluntarily back to my biological family and get caught will i get forced to go back if i’m not in any danger ?Comment
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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. This is something you may want to talk about with your biological family. 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 would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
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
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Hi im A, im 15 and from Minnesota and I have a few questions. So here is a little bit of my story. My mom is emotionally abusive, calls me names, doesnt let me hangout with my friends, take care of my little siblings why she's sleeping, or with her new boyfriend. And ive had enough of staying with her. I want to leave but I want to know what I can and cannot do. My plan is to runaway to my stepdads, which he has been in my life for 8 years now and him and my mom broke up a couple years ago, but he says I can stay with him, but he has no legal rights over me... but im sick and tired of my mom and I wanna runaway. What should I do?Last edited by ccsmod15; 06-06-2021, 11:51 AM.Comment
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Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It sounds like you are going through a lot right now with the emotional abuse and other difficulties you mentioned at home right now. We are glad you reached out though. We appreciate the strength that can take to do.
It is understandable that you would want to be in a different living situation given the experience you outlined in your post. We do encourage you to reach out either via phone (1-800-RUNAWAY) or via text (click the “CHAT” button on the top of our homepage). This allows for communication to ensure you have the information/resources you need to make an informed decision. It generally is more difficult to do this via the forum.
We are not legal experts, but we do have a lot of experience working with runaways and youths in crisis. While you won't get arrested or go to jail for running away, running away could lead to the police returning you to your mom, if your mom were to report you as a runaway. Beyond that, your stepdad (or whomever you end up staying with) could potentially get charged with harboring a runaway (typically a misdemeanor offense, but depends on the state).
There are other options available that we would be happy to help you better understand. As previously stated, we do encourage you to reach out either via phone or text, so we can better help comb through your options and help you make an informed decision. We are available 24/7 and are always happy to help.
Take care,
NRS
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i was separated from someone i love and i want to run from home to them, it has been 4 years since i was separated from them and they live across country from me. I dont know if i should live i wouldnt want to get police involved but i dont want to stay where i am and i really need to see them again it has been years as i said, i miss them and cant stand living without themComment
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Hi –
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation and are here to support you in any way that we can. It sounds like you are really hurting from being separated from this person you love and are thinking about running away so that you can be with them. That sounds like a tough situation for sure.
While we are not legal experts, we can provide general information to help you think through your situation. Generally, you have to be 18 years old to leave home without permission from your parent or legal guardian. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. 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, any adult who allows you to stay with them may be at risk of being legally charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid service may better answer legal questions. We can help you find legal aid resources in your area via our phone or chat services.
If you are 18 or older, you are more than likely considered a legal adult. This means that you can live where you want and won’t be considered a runaway. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and find resources to land on your feet.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. 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).
Be safe,
NRS
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I need help asap! so im now 18 and im still going to high school and im planning to move in with my friend's parents but my parents told me 2 weeks ago that if i ran away to go to my friends house that his parents would go to jail for 90 days if they are ever seen around me. So i did some research and the only thing i see that would put them in jail is for harboring a runaway if i was a minor. Our local police officer called his parents today saying if they are ever seen around me they will go to jail. But i dont think the officer knows that i just turned 18 so thats why im wondering to just make sure if i can legally move in with them without the cops having be involved. Im also from Minnesota btw.Comment
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Hi, thank you for reaching out to NRS! It sounds like things have been rough at home. The ability to realize and identify that a situation is not promoting your wellbeing demonstrates wisdom and courage. In Minnesota the legal age adult age is 18. Because you are 18, you do not classify as a minor. Therefore, there are no legal ramifications for you or your friend’s parents if you chose to leave home and live with them. Talking to a school counselor or school registrar’s office might be a good idea. They can ensure that any documents you need or that are school related are sent to your new place of residence. Likewise, if you choose to move into your friend’s home, a school counselor could be a useful resource if you need help navigating potential resources for students in similar situations to you. We encourage you to reach out to us anytime via our phone hotline or online chat service. Stay safe and stay strong!
NRS
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Auntie So I'm lost and trying to look for help, last year my sister gave me my niece after she kept running away I got full custody of her in October. My sister has 7 kids her 2nd daughter ran away on Saturday and doesn't want to go home she is scared and my sister is very abusive to all her kids. I have my other niece so I have now 2 of my sister's kids and her 9 year old wants to be with me.
SO my question is what should I do with my niece that ran away this weekend who I have and my sister doesn't know, I don't want to send her back bcuz she will be hurt.
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Hi there, thank you for writing to us; we are sorry you are in this situation and we acknowledge how much you care about your nieces. This is a difficult situation for you to be in, and we are here for you. You may already know, but something to consider is that your niece who is NOT in your custody, could be reported missing to local law enforcement, which would potentially be forced to return her home. If you don't feel you are able to house her for whatever reason (even when we want to help, sometimes we just don't have the means) you can call us at 1-800-786-2929 and we can look for other options for her to stay.
You could also report the mistreatment to CPS if you wanted a more permanent custody adjustment or intervention for the youth. Child Help USA (1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org) is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation and help make a report.
You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. While we cannot tell you what to do (only you truly know what is best in your situation) we can talk through your options and help weigh the pros and cons.
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 hope to hear from you soon.
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I also want to let ppl know after reading some of these comments. In the state of Minnesota at least in the twin cities if your 14 and older and have a family member or close friend the teen can ask for 3rd party custody through the courts. I did this last year for my runaway neice and about to do it again. Teens should know their rights in the state and county they are in.
POk say the Help is out here but where bcuz I keep getting dead ends.Comment
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Hey, I'm 16 years old, and my parents keep saying they're going to do better.
I was in a hospital for a bit two years ago because I wasn't stable, and they kept saying they were sorry and that it was all their fault. The thing is, it isn't. I was unstable because I had a lot of ******** going on. My parents are upset that I don't have any aspirations, but it's hard to have aspirations when I'm currently failing school. I've had the plan to run away for a while now, and I've even got a tent and a bag packed. I have enough money to feed myself for around two months (I did the math), and my survival skills are actually pretty good. I feel like if I don't get out now, I'm never going to have my own life. It may sound stupid because I only have two years left, but I think I might do something actually stupid if I stay. I have my path mapped out, and I just want desperately to live instead of just drifting along. I can't live like this much longer.Comment
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Hello,
Thank you for reaching to us here at the National Runaway Safeline today. We are very sorry to hear that you are in such a difficult and frustrating situation. It’s courageous of you to contact us for guidance, and we are here for you. It sounds like your parents may have their own narrative for what is causing your struggles. If you don’t feel like they are listening to you, you may want to consider asking someone to help moderate a conversation with them. This could be a trusted adult or counselor, or you could use the NRS conference call service. We can help you set some ground rules for a call with your parents and then we stay involved while you all talk; we help keep things civil and respectful. This, of course, is just a thought. It’s entirely up to you. You mention that you’re having trouble in school. We understand that this can be very stressful but please know that it is not the end of the world. Most successful people have struggled academically at one time or another. You could consider going to a teacher or school counselor and discussing a plan for getting back on track. You sound like you’re very thoughtful and resourceful…both admirable qualities! You talk about running away and say that you have a plan. Your safety is very important to us here at NRS. And, while we’re not legal experts, we can generally say that running away is not considered a crime but a status offense. If your parents file a runaway report, the police can look for you and return you to them. You could consider asking your parents if they would let you stay with a friend or family member for a little while, just to give you a break. This might provide you with a safe alternative. If you are able to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us at www.1800RUNAWAY.org, we can discuss your thoughts and plans and offer local resources that might be helpful. Both services are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. We are here to listen and to help. We hope to hear from you soon.
Take care,
NRS
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Hey um im 14 and my parents are abusive and I dont have anywhee else to go because I dont own a phone and cant communicate anybody else ive been having thoughts of suicide and running away, please helpComment
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Hey there,
Thanks for reaching out, it sounds like you are going through a lot at home. You never deserve to be abused by anyone much less your parents. Home should be a safe place for you to recover from outside stress, not the cause of it. Its understandable you would feel like extreme options like suicide or running away come to mind when you don't have a safe place to return to.
You have already taken a first step in making the situation better by reaching out, and we know that takes bravery to do. There are options other than running away or suicide but often what those are depends on your likes/hobbies and your opportunities. Suicide we don't consider an option since it isn't really a positive change and by definition is harmful to you. It is the end of hope, not the beginning of it and if the thoughts persist you might reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline by phone at 988 or online at https://988lifeline.org/
Running away also has its risks, since it can make you more vulnerable to exploitation, sex trafficking, and physical danger that results from not having a clean shelter to stay in. If that is the only option you're ok with, we are happy to help with local shelter options so you have safe places to go.
Again you don't deserve to be made to feel like these are your options. We hope you reach out soon to our hotline for resources, or to explore other options but in the meantime stay safe!
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