Harboring a 17 year old runaway in CA

[Guest]

i just recently got adopted. i'm 17 years old. but i don't want to be with my adoptive family anymore. every single day they tell me bad things about myself and i'm so tired of it. i have diagnosed depression and anxiety and they are just making me so much worse. i feel like the only way out is to leave the home. other than that, i'm lost. and i don't know how long i can do this. i want to know if my friend would get in trouble for giving me a place to stay? i don't want to hurt or get anyone in trouble during this but i just can't do it anymore. because of the virus and all, if i left, they would not take me back. if they aren't even willing or wanting me back in the house, does that change anything?

[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 forum 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 am 17 years old I turn 18 in January and I live in California. I hate living at home with my mom she does drugs and can get really mean when high she drinks a lot and I don’t feel safe here anymore. She doesn’t let me see my dad and takes my phone if I try to talk to him. If I go and live with him or my sister can she call the cops and will they take me back to her house?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS. It sounds like you are quite overwhelmed at home and your mom's behaviors have been making you unsafe. You mentioned wanting to know more about runaway laws.

18 is usually the age you are able to leave home without permission. If you leave home as a minor without permission, your mom can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means your mom can ask police to return you home if you are found. In the event that police attempt to return you home, you are well within your rights to tell them that home is not safe for you. They might attempt to mediate with your mom in the hopes that your mom will agree to let you stay with your dad and sister. It is also likely that notifying police that you are not safe at home would prompt them to involve child protective services. CPS would conduct an investigation to decide on next steps before returning you home to a potentially unsafe household.

If you would like to talk more about your situation or you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone 1-800-RUNAWAY or through live chat at 1800runaway.org. We are here 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible as you navigate this challenging situation.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Harboring an 11 year old runaway in VA, is it illegal?

[ccsmod3]

Hey there!

Thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. In Virginia, there is no specific law referring to the harboring of runaway youth. It is a crime, however, to cause a child to be delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, abused, or neglected. Harboring a runaway may fall within this category. Because we're not legal professionals at NRS, if you have any additional questions around the legalities of harboring a runaway, it's likely a good idea for you to consult with an attorney.

If you'd like to discuss your situation in more detail, please feel free to reach out to us directly by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY, or by chatting with us live at www.1800runaway.org. We're available 24/7 and are always happy to listen, and to help.

Take care.

NRS

[Guest]

I am 17 years old and will be turning 18 in January.... less than 7 months away. I have put up with both verbal and some physical abuse. My parents and I don’t get along.... being adopted and all. Would it be legal if my sisters pay for my ticket and have me fly out not knowing that they are helping a runaway?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at NRS and we appreciate you sharing your situation with us. It seems you want to know more about runaway laws. While we are not legal experts, we can speak generally on this. 18 is usually the age you are able to leave home. If you leave without permission, your parents have the option to report you as a runaway to law enforcement. What can happen next would depend on if they make that report to local police or not. Running away is not illegal, but it is as status offense. If your parents choose to make a report, they can ask police for assistance in returning you home if you are found. Additionally, there is a possible risk that your sisters could face legal consequences for harboring a runaway and transporting you across state lines. However, runaway and harboring protocols can vary by state, police department, and even by individual situations. You can call your local police department to anonymously ask questions about what might happen if you were to pursue this plan.

We are here 24/7 to support you as you navigate this challenging situation. If you would like to talk more in-depth and explore your possible options, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone or live chat. 1-800-RUNAWAY; 1800runaway.org

Be safe and good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi there my gf is 17 and is finishing school early I’m 18 and she wants to leave her current state to live with me am I going to get in trouble if she lives with me and leaves her state

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). 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]

Hello I have a 17yr old daughter who ran off with my boyfriend 2 start a relationship.cops won't do nothing

[Guest]

Hi I'm the non legal parent of a 17 year old who continues to runaway she wants to go to her friends she want to know if she will get returned if she runs away once she turns 17 I don't condone her actions as her birth parent but she's adamant about this and will not stay at the adoptive parents house

[ccsmod14]

Hi, thank you for contacting he National Runaway Safeline. If the 17 year old choose to leave home, the adoptive parents could file a runaway report and if the youth is found, the youth will be returned back to the adoptive parents if the home seems to be a safe place. Anyone youth stay with might be accused of harboring a runway.

NRS want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please contact our 24/7 crisis support line either by phone or chat.




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.



We hope to hear from you soon.



Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Last night my mom found out that i was hiding social media and participating in sexual activity with a guy from school who is the same age as me im 17. obviously she was furious and disgusted, which resulted in her taking me out of school for independent studies, i am a senior and school just started. she told me that as soon as i turn 18 shes done with me for good. i turn 18 in april so about 7 months from now. she called me a bunch of names, and pinned me and my face against the wall which i completely understand. she has nowhere to have me stay cuz my dad is in prison and she said it is unfair to send me to live with my grandparents because there old. she said she doesn't love me and doesn't want me here but she didn't kick me out. i want to run away but im not sure what will happen, i live in california. will i be forced to come home if she files me missing?

[ccsmod11]

(If you are in danger for any reason, please call the police or go to your local emergency room.)

Hi there,
Thanks so much for reaching out to us. There is some really, really serious stuff going on at home and we are so sorry to hear that your mom is doing all these awful things to you. We want to help you as much as we can.

It sounds like your mom might be thinking about kicking you out when you turn 18. We can help you find supportive long-term housing for young people like you that will help you reach your goals. Please reach out to us if this is something you are interested in learning more about.

Additionally, if you feel you are being abused, you have the right to report it. To learn more, you can reach out to us or our friends at ChildHelp (https://www.childhelp.org/) to learn more.

To answer your question, in California anyone under the age of 18 who runs away could be reported as a runaway to the police. This means they'll find you and bring you home. You won't get in trouble with the police or arrested and running away isn't illegal, however you'll have to face any consequences your parents might have. Additionally anyone staying with you over age 18 COULD be charged with harboring a runaway which is a criminal charge. This is uncommon and varies by state and situation, so it's worth it to check on this with your local non-emergency police. If you call the police within 24 hours of your arrival at your safe place to let them know you're safe, this can help avoid charges.

Again, we can help you find safe and stable housing and help you make a plan that's right for you. We can also help you talk through things with your mom if you feel like you would want that support. We would love to share more information and help you make the plan that's right for you. We would be grateful to hear more about your story and give you more personalized guidance. The NRS is available 24/7 via online chat or by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We hope to hear from you soon, best of luck!
-NRS Crisis Team

[Guest]

Hello my sister has a 16-year-old son runaway while 15 three months before his 16th birthday three days after his 16th birthday, he turned himself into the police to be returned home not even 24 hours later my sister is still having issues with her son who thinks he is an adult and wants to do whatever it is he wants to do does not want to comply with the rules she’s afraid he might run away again no he’s mentally unstable and are not sure which way to go with this any help or information would be greatly appreciated. We are located in the state of California

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to us. We would love to help with the issue you are having. We would need to gather more information to better assist you. The best way to reach out to us is by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) this i our 24-hour confidential hotline or you can text or chat us at 1800runaway.org. In the state of California, we could give you recourses, but we would need more information on your location. We hope to hear from you or someone in your family soon.