running away to another state

[Unregistered]

Re: running away to another state

hi there, my girlfriend and I are fifteen years old, and we are wanting to leave for the verbal abuse of our families. We have been thinking about this for quite a while, but we won't both be sixteen until December. I am wondering if there is anything we can do to move away together, we have talked about getting married, but we would need to be sixteen and have parental consent which I know we won't have as my parents do not support my homosexuality. We both currently live in Georgia and really want to move to New York, and I am wondering if there is any way we either can get married/emancipated together or runaway without being forced to go back no matter what. We both have a lot of trouble with our families and don't want to have to wait a year until we can even attempt to get married.

[Unregistered]

i don't know what to do

hi there, my girlfriend and I are fifteen years old, and we are wanting to leave for the verbal abuse of our families. We have been thinking about this for quite a while, but we won't both be sixteen until December. I am wondering if there is anything we can do to move away together, we have talked about getting married, but we would need to be sixteen and have parental consent which I know we won't have as my parents do not support my homosexuality. We both currently live in Georgia and really want to move to New York, and I am wondering if there is any way we either can get married/emancipated together or runaway without being forced to go back no matter what. We both have a lot of trouble with our families and don't want to have to wait a year until we can even attempt to get married. please help, i don't want to live like this anymore.

[ccsmod15]

Re: i don't know what to do

First, we are very glad you reached out to the National Runaway Safeline and we’re here to help you in any way that we can. Second, you never deserve to be talked to or treated that way. Both you and your girlfriend should be able to live your lives openly as who you are—falling in love and getting married included. Currently, you might be told that you are less than by the government or your families. But know that you are beautiful and wonderful person of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, you deserve happiness.

Now, onto the legal issues. We are not legal experts, but typically you need to be 18 to be able to get married without your parents’ permission. You are able to get married at 16—it’s just that you need your parents’ permission. Here is a resource to check out Georgia’s exact laws on marriage: http://statelaws.findlaw.com/georgia...ents-laws.html

You mentioned running away. Again, we’re not legal experts, but usually what happens if a youth bellow the age of 18 runs away that youth accrues a status offense if the youth’s family files a runaway report. A status offense will not permanently be on your criminal record but it may result in involvement with the juvenile court system and you will definitely be returned to your parents.

The other option you wanted to explore was emancipation. Georgia is a state that allows a minor to petition for emancipation. Typically to be emancipated you need to prove to a court of law that you are financially able and mature enough to sustain yourself. The other thing that you might want to consider is lawyer fees and time. Sometimes emancipation is a lengthy process and you will still need to pay the lawyer you use whether you win or not. The first step is to find a lawyer or a legal aid group and if you call our safeline we can give you legal aid resources.

Don’t lose hope. We’re here to support you. Call us/chat us/post in our forum anytime. We wish you the best of luck. Here is one last resource for LGBTQA identified people in Georgia. The legal resources could possibly help you with emancipation if that is an option you wish to pursue:

http://georgiaequality.org/resources/

[ccsmod15]

Re: running away to another state

Hello there!

Thanks for reaching out. It looks like this is a duplicate post. The answered post is right above this one. If for whatever reason you are not able to see it, here is the link:

http://bulletinboards.1800runaway.org/showthread.php?4639-running-away-to-another-state&p=28602&posted=1#post28602

Call or chat us if you can!

National Runaway Safeline

[Guest]

Hi,
I'm planning on moving to New Jersey. But really, I'm running away from my family. I've been dealing with a lot in my life and been abused since 5 year's old. Right now I live in Waycross GA and I don't know what the best transportation is. Please,if any... I need some help and advice.

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to NRS for help! It definitely sounds like you're going through a rough time at home. You said in your email that you’re dealing with abuse at home. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way and it’s understandable that you want to escape from it. You can report the mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody. Teachers and school counselors can help you report the abuse, as well as The National Runaway Safeline.

Sadly, NRS does not offer transportation, but we do know some information on runaway laws. 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. A good way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. Teachers and school counselors can also give you additional support with this. Don't hesitate to call our safe line or use our chat service if you need to talk!

[Guest]

I'm 18 and my girlfriend is 17. She has had a really rough life at home. Her dad died when she was 9 and her mom has been both physically and emotionally abusive towards her. I know you're not legal experts but if I was to take her and go from Alaska to a different state then how much trouble would we really be in? Would I go to jail for harboring a runaway? Would it be considered kidnapping? Please help

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today and helping your girlfriend during this difficult time. We are glad she has a supportive person like you in her life. You are right we are not legal experts, but we can speak generally. Running away is typically a status offense, so if she is found she would be returned home. Since you are planning to go out of state, there is the possibility of her being detained until her mom can get her or until police can transfer her back home if she is found in Alaska. Since you are considered a legal adult with her, you could be at risk for harboring a runaway; which is a misdemeanor. We are not sure if you could be charged with kidnapping or not. It might be hard for her mom to press kidnapping charges on you since she is going with you willingly, but again we cannot say for sure.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you ever need. We are here to listen, her to help.

-NRS

[Guest]

Hi, I'm 17 years old and live in illinois. I have an 18 year old boyfriend in indiana who I want to move in with, but I'm afraid my parents with call the police if I run away and they will try to be him in trouble. I'm sick of living at home and want to move out as soon as possible, is the anything I can do before I turn 18?

[ccsmod10]

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 you mentioned you have an 18 year old boyfriend, 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).

[Guest]

I want to run away to California i live in Colorado what will happen if they catch me in California?

[ccsmod10]

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.

Here’s some information on running away 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. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. 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.

Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. If you are going to run away, maybe we can talk through a safety plan or try to find shelters in your area. If you have a teacher or school counselor that you’re close with, talking to them could provide you with more support.

[Guest]

I'm 17 and I live in Kentucky. I want to run away with my boyfriend who is 18 to a state where you can legally run away as 17 and become citizens there. How would we need to become citizens there? If we became citizens would their law still apply to me or not? I am not being physically abused its just mental and emotional abuse although my family would blame my boyfriend. I have really bad depression and because I'm not allowed to see him or really any of my friends even though they say I can, I keep myself locked in my room with not really much to do. I told my guardian once that if I die my death will be on her then I stomped to my room and shut and locked the door. After about 15 mins they hollered up to tell me they were going somewhere nearby. They called my name several times but I didn't respond so they went on and left. While one time they thought my boyfriend had snuck in my room and demanded to be let in to which I replied no. They don't care about my well being they just care if I'm seeing my boyfriend, having a good life, and acting like a normal teenager. This all started just because they figured out that I wasn't a virgin anymore which upset them and got a response out of them more than me attempting suicide. It's a sick situation and I can't handle 8 more months of it. How long do you think it will take to get caught? If I don't get caught and I turn 18 then will the charges and missing persons report be dropped? Would I be able to come out of hiding or would I still get in trouble?

[ccsmod15]

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear the way things are going for you. It sounds like you would like to move out with your boyfriend because you feel you aren’t being treated the way you should be at home. You mentioned you have depression, have you tried talking to your guardian or a counselor about that? There are other resources available to help you such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. We are also available 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Our hotline is confidential, anonymous, and toll-free.

You mentioned that you want to leave and move away with your boyfriend. The age of majority, the age that you can legally move out, is different from state to state. However, in general the age of majority is 18. If you were to run away to a different state, you would still be subject to the laws of Kentucky. You may also run into some difficulties becoming a resident in a new state as a minor. It is difficult because unfortunately we cannot answer specific legal questions but a good option to get some information may be to contact your local police department on their non-emergency line. Some questions that you may want to ask would be what is the age of majority in your area? At 17 can a youth leave home without permission? There are also laws about harboring or aiding a runaway youth that may affect your boyfriend since you mentioned he is 18. The options that are available to you may depend on the laws in your state. We can provide legal referrals if you like. Again, we are available 24/7 and can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We can also be reached via live chat between 4:30pm and 11:30pm CST.

We hope the information provided helps.

Best Wishes

[Guest]

Hey, I'm 20 and my step sister is 15. My dad is married to her mom and things are getting hard at home. They just threaten to kick her and I out. And I want to give her a better life. She deserves better that what she gets. They are crazy and my dad is a sociopath. I'm not sure if they will call the cops or not but my sister and I are family. I want to see her go to collage and work her dream job but she isn't going to do it here. We are in Ohio and want to go to Wisconsin or where her and I can be safe and I can give my sister what she deserve. I'm tired of not doing anything. I'm not sure what I'm asking. I just want an idea of what is going on. I'm not sure if they will call the cops or not. Cps just came to the house 3 days ago and they know there are problems and I told the lady I would do whatever I had to to make sure she is safe. I just don't want to go to jail and not know what would happen to her because my sister is my best friend and I am hers and I want her to have better.

[ccsmod7]

Hi and thanks for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline.

We can tell you really care for your sister. She’s very lucky to have someone like you looking out for her and wanting to give her the best life possible.

Unfortunately, even though you are her sister, the legal guardians still get to decide where she can (and cannot) be. This means that if she left home to come to/stay with you without permission, she would be considered a runaway and her parents could have a legal right of filing charges against you for ‘harboring a runaway.’ The situation could get worse if she ran to you and you traveled with her across state lines. We are not here to tell anyone what to do, but we do want you to be informed and to know of possible consequences.
You mentioned that CPS came out to the house a few days ago. How did that go? Did you receive a response since their visit? CPS is responsible for making decisions about whether a youth should remain under the custody of the current parents, or if guardianship should be transferred to someone else. This could be another family member, or someone through the foster system (how CPS handles these situations depends on the county). You can always report to them again for each instance of abuse, sometimes having that paper trail of reports can help your sister's situation.

If your sister is kicked out of the home, she can call the police to let them know. Her guardians have a legal responsibility to provide a place for her to live. Because you are over 18, your parents no longer legally have to let you stay at the home. If you find yourself kicked out, you can give us a call and we can look into options – this may include locating friends/family in the area you can go to, or finding a shelter.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We encourage to you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY if you would like to discuss your situation in more detail. We are confidential, and we’re here to help in any way we can.

Stay safe,

NRS

[Guest]

My 16 year old brother has ran away from home but lives in another state with my dad because he's abusive he's also got child services on him recently but he doesn't wanna be there anymore he wants to come live with my mother in me in another state if I send him his plane ticket can I get in any trouble?

[ccsmod7]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runway Safeline. It sounds like your brother is in a difficult situation. It is really good of you to be so concerned for him, and willing to help.

If your brother is in danger, he can always call the police at 911. If he is being abused, a report can be filed with the local social services department, or if he calls us here directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) we can help discuss his options.

We aren’t legal experts here at the NRS, but can offer some information. We might be to offer more information and resources if we understand the situation better. One of the important issues to determine is who has the legal responsibility and custody for your brother. If your mom has legal custody, helping your brother to return home to her might be ok. There are quite a few things to think over here, and to be sure your brother can travel safely. He would need identification documents, and rules with the airlines might be different.

Again, it’s really good of you to be concerned about your brother and his safety. We are here to listen and to help. You or your brother can reach out to us here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us through our website during chat hours. We’ll do our best to work out options and help you develop a plan. We’ll look forward to hearing from you soon, best of luck.

-NRS

[Guest]

Hi, my name is anon y mous. My question is... i have a younger brother (15 almost 16) his step mom adopted him years ago without my mom knowing. Recently his step mom and dad have passed on. His step grandparents have claimed to adopt him. But they emotionally, verbally abuse him, not sure about any other type. But he wants to live with me (20 almost 21) he lives in maryland and i live in Texas. He wants to run away but is scared that he will be forced to go back. How can i get him here legally and without him having to return there. I know his step grandparents wouldnt consent to anything such as emancipation or anything

[ccsmod3]

Dear anonymous,

Thank you for reaching out on behalf of your younger brother. He is lucky to have a caring older sibling who is willing to advocate for him. We are sorry to hear his step mom adopted him without your mom knowing in addition to the passing of his dad and stepmom. He doesn’t deserve to be abused whether emotional, verbal, or physical. He does has a right to make an abuse report and if he is interested we can even help him with that process. You are also welcome to check out the Maryland Child Protective Services website which goes over what happens after reporting, local office, and other information related to child abuse situation. http://dhr.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/

We are not legal experts so we are not able to tell you your chance of obtaining custody of your younger brother. However, one option might be to reach out to your own lawyer or legal aid office for additional information. If we know your city in Texas we can try to find a nearby legal aid. It doesn’t sound like you think emancipation would work without your brother’s step grandparents being on board. We have basic information on emancipation as well. For Maryland, we show no written statute for a formal procedure, although there do appear to be certain circumstances that would allow a minor to become emancipated through the courts. These include marriage, entering the military, misconduct by parent, and consent of emancipation by parent. In all circumstances, the minors must be able to financially support themselves.

We hope this gives you and your brother a start and we encourage both you and your brother to contact us directly either by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or using Live Chat. We wish you both the best of luck!

[Guest]

I'm 16 years old and have been pretty much taking care of myself for the past 3 years. I asked my parents if I could leave state and they told me not until I was 18. I don't currently live with them. But my grandparents are about to be kicked out of our house and if I live with my parents I'll be around drugs and sleeping on a couch. We tried cps. But nothing came of it. What would happen if I Left Texas and went to another state? Would the police return me home if I got caught?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I'm 16 years old

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Some situations can be disappointing and even upsetting thus making things uncertain about what to do or where to turn.
We understand and we want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. A person under 18 that leaves home could find themselves reported as a runaway by a parent/guardian. This action could lead to the minor being returned home if found by police.
Also, those they 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.

You have a right to want to feel safe.
NRS is here to listen and here to help. If you would like to speak more about your situation or explore some options please contact NRS.
Our contact information is 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org

We hope to hear from you soon.

Take Care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm 16 year old sick of home my dad hasn't talked thin 1-2 years all my mom does ********** 5 of my buddies are going to California they have a ace we can all stay there I need to get out of here please help me what legal actions can they do to ke

[ccsmod0]

Hello,
We're glad you reached out to us. We'll try to help. It sounds like life at home is difficult. You deserve to live in a pleasant environment where your parents talk to you and offer you support. It's understandable that you would want to live elsewhere. We are not legal experts but if you leave without your parents permission and they file a runaway report, the police can look for you and return you home. Also the people who take you in can get in trouble with the law. You might want to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY to talk about your situation and find options. We are always here, 24/7.