running away to another state

[Guest]

I want to run away from Massachusetts and get a flight to California, and then a flight to Asia. I’m only 13, but I’ve been working towards my future for a while, I want to be a performer but to do that I would have to be a trainee and I would have to weigh a certain amount. That weight is a healthy weight, it isn’t underweight but it’s less then I weigh. So I set up a diet for myself, which was extremely healthy I was doing great, I was always satisfied with myself and my progress but I didn’t even get a whole month through when my mother brought me to the doctor because she thought I had a eating disorder, and I found out that I lost 10 lbs that month which was good ))) and I was still 15 lbs above my goal. But ever since that, this last week I’ve been forced to eat a lot of food. Like a crazy amount that isn’t healthy for anyone, and it doesn’t even consist of healthy foods either. My parents made me easily gain 20 lbs and I feel upset, frustrated, pissed off, and ashamed and so unhealthy and I always end up crying for at least one hour every day total. And, I told them about how I wanted to work towards my dream and pursue it and they told me they wouldn’t allow me to do that. So, my parents are not allowing me to do follow my dreams which I am extremely passionate about, without that my life seems pointless and they’ve made me gain sm weight and feel so much pain, currently I’m doubled over in pain cause my stomach hurts so much because they just made me eat so much. I just want to be happy and work towards my dream and control my own future and what I eat and I want to do that by getting away. ASAP. I have a very close friend who I want to go with, who has similar problems with her family as I do. I want to run away and I know where I could get shelter and food, I just need to know what legal charges I could face now or in the future

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We understand that it takes courage to seek help. We are sorry to hear about the way your parents have been treating you. It sounds like you plan to runaway to another country. Having a plan to ensure your safety is important. Running away isn't against the law, so you wouldn't face any legal charges. However if you were to stay with an adult, they could get charged with harboring a runaway. We hope that helps, please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

[Guest]

Hi I’m **** I live in Texas and I want to runaway to Washington state with my boyfriend. I’ve been thinking about running away a lot and I’ve done it before, but I’m scared that they’ll find me or it’ll scare my family to death. Do I need my social security number or my birth certificate to get away and have a job? And if I ever decided to come back would I get arrested.

[ccsmod5]

.Hi, there,
Thank you for reaching out. We aren’t legal experts, but we can give you some general information. You don’t mention your age in your post, but if you are under the age of 18 you would technically need guardian permission to leave. Otherwise, your parents or guardians could file a runaway report and it is a possibility that the police could find you and return you home. It sounds like you care a lot about your family and how your leaving might impact them. It could be a possibility to talk to your family about your desire to move to Washington with your boyfriend. That being said, if you don’t feel that talking to them is an option, you may want to consider the following: where you’ll go, who you’ll stay with, what you’ll do for food and other basic necessities, what you might do if you run into a dangerous situation or need emergency healthcare. Your safety is our number one priority, so it can be a good idea to have a well thought-out plan before taking the step to leave. Regarding your question about having your social security number and birth certificate, it could be a good idea to have those documents but it doesn’t necessary mean you would be able to get a job (it would depend on your age, your employers, etc). If you ever decided to return home, it’s unlikely that you would be arrested for running away.
Thank you again for reaching out. If you have specific questions about your situation or need help finding resources, please feel free to give us a call at 1800-786-2929. Take care and stay safe!
NRS

[Guest]

hey i live in columbia i want to run away to atalanta i ran away before so i know how it works but i wanna run away for goood like never come back im trying to stay away do a amber alert go out everywhere or just that state

[ccsmod15]

Hey there, thanks for posting! Sounds like home is pretty stressful right now. We are glad you are looking for help.
You mentioned wanting to leave the state. You may want to consider how you would get there, how you would make money, go to school, pay for food, clothes, doctors, etc. You said you have run away before. There is something called a runaway report that parents can file with police. Perhaps you are familiar. That is something else to consider when thinking about running away. We are here 24/7 by phone and also often through our website's chat service if you have more questions or want to talk further.
We are not legal experts, but from what we understand, runaway reports and amber alerts can be made national, especially if your parents have a reason to think you left the state.

Thank you again for reaching out. We are always here to listen and support you. Call or chat anytime! 1-800-786-2929

[Guest]

Hi, my name is John and I want to run away to the woods, the problem is I'm 14 and I don’t know where the best place to go is. I’ve been suffering from a lot of anxiety and I usually don’t notice it when I am in the woods. I want to go somewhere secluded from people and somewhere no one will find me. But if I do get caught where would the police send me because the last time I ran away my dad said if I ever do again I can’t ever come back home.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: Hi, my name is John

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

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
As of right now you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options.
It also sounds like you have run away before and have some concerns about what might happen if you are picked up by the police.

While we are not experts on the law, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Should your father decide that he does not want you back home it is still his responsibility to see that you are in a safe place.
Alternative housing could mean locating a runaway shelter or group home for you unless there is a relative or friend you can stay with.
For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.

There may also be other options to help you with your anxiety.
Sometimes talking with a friend or a counselor might help to work things out.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org

Great job reaching out today.

If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I want to run away to my moms house i live in Virginia my mom lives in oregon i dont know how to get there but i need to find a way my mom has no parental right to me help how do i do this and how do i do it smartly

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today.

Sounds like you are wanting to run to your mom's across the country. That's a very long trip, and here at NRS we are concerns for your safety. At any point, if you need a safe place to go or someone to talk to, you can always reach out to us through calling 1-800-RUNAWAY for help. There also might be other options for you if you would like to talk through your situation and help with brainstorming your options. The easiest way you can leave home is with permission from your guardian, but we know that is not an option for everyone. There is no general guidelines we can give for running away, since everyone's situations and informal resources are different. If you do decide to leave, you might try to plan every detail of your trip out with back up plans focused around your safety. You might also let your mom know of your plans so she can check on you and be a support for you on your trip.

If you are under 18, one thing to consider is that your guardian can file a runaway report for you if you leave without permission. Running away is typically a status offense, meaning it is not illegal rather it is something minors can't do. However, it is possible that if your found at your mom's she could be charged with harboring a runaway by your guardian.

We hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to talk through your situation. We are here for you.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

Hey my name is Kelsey i live with sadly my dad and my mom lives in oregon she has no parental rights to me but my dad told me he doesnt care about me ,my grades ect how do i go make to my moms i mean run away what could the cops do how much trouble will i get in can i get on a plane alone and use a fake name im 14

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runway Safeline. We appreciate you contacting us in your time of need, it was very brave of you.

It sounds like your parents are putting you in the middle of their issues, which isn’t fair for you and must be really stressful on you. You should have a say when it comes to which parent you’re going to live with. One parent is usually given primary custody, being your legal guardian, they are the only one who can give you permission to live elsewhere. You mentioned that your mom has no parental rights over you. So that means that if you did leave and runaway to your mom without your dads permission, he could report you as a runaway. If the police find you, they will return you to your dad. We have heard of a Harboring a Runaway charge when people let runaway stay with them, but it’s uncommon and we aren’t sure how it would work out if it’s a parent. There is a chance your mom could get in trouble with the law.

We offer a conference calling service, between youth and their parents. If you ever wanted our help talking to your dad about changing your living situation, we're always here to make that call with you. Sometimes just being able to talk can be a way to open up the lines of communication, and see the best way that everyone can compromise.

We have heard in some cases, where the judge will listen to the child’s input on which parent they would rather live with. You may want to ask about that. We also have a database of legal aid resources that help youth for free. If you wanted us to connect you with those resources, don’t hesitate call into our safeline. They could help you find ways to change your custodial parent.

We hope our response is helpful. In addition, talking to school counselors and teachers about what’s going on at home could provide you with great support. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. You are always welcome to call into our 24/7 crisis center, or use our chatting services via our website.

Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

I want to remain anonymous. So my parents have told me multiple times that they want me gone. They said that if I leave home to never come back. I'm just wondering, because I've always worried about everything legally, do you think they'd file a report and bring me back. I also have child services in the mix so I'm wondering what would happen

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thank you for contacting, it sounds like a really stressful situation at home. Home is a place where you should feel safe and comfortable. It’s understandable that you would want to leave that environment.

You mentioned that your parents have told you that they wouldn’t care if you left, which is hurtful, but also legal. They can give you permission for you to live elsewhere because she’s your legal guardian. However, if they ever decides to change their minds, they can call the police and make a runaway report on you. You can’t be arrested for running away, the police would just return you home if you were found. If your parents were to kick you out that will considered neglect and you can report it to CPS because it’s against the law. Do you have anyone who would be willing to let you stay with them? If you do decide that leaving home is the best decision for you and you need somewhere to stay, we can always look up runaway shelters in your area for you.

We do hope that you reach out to us through phone or chat to discuss your situation in more detail. Our goal is to help you find ways to stay safe. We would be happy to look up resources in your area, talk with you about your options, or just listen to what you’re going through.

Stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 14, and I hate my living conditions. I want to runaway, but its illegal in my state. My bf lives in a state where it is not illegal and I want to know if I can runaway to there. I have a set plan that would be easy for me to fulfill I just need to know if it would still be illegal if I went to his state where It is not illegal to run away. My parents are overprotective and would not let me go If I asked them.

[ccsmod2]

Hi, thank you so much for reaching out. It's unfortunate that you're so unhappy in your current living conditions and you deserve to live in a place you enjoy. Now, we aren't legal experts but we can speak generally about things. If you were to run away, your parents would have the right to file a runaway report with the police. You aren't doing anything illegal, but it is a status offense and if you're found (even in another state) you will be returned to your parents' care. There is also something called harboring charges. We don't hear about it happening too often, but your boyfriend or his parents could be charges with harboring a runaway. In most cases this is only a misdemeanor, but still something that could happen. It is also worth noting that if you are filed as a run away in one state, your status as a runaway extends to all states. So you would still be a runaway in your boyfriend's state. Thank you again for reaching out. We're always here to talk and help you explore options over the phone at 1800RUNAWAY so don't hesitate to reach out.

[Guest]

hi im zander me and my friend wanna leave Michigan the state we live in and want to go to new York and then to Cali what would happen if we get in trouble with the ops? and how much trouble could we get in for stealing a car on the way?

[ccsmod5]

Thank you for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are contemplating running away with your friend although you do not say what the circumstances are that are making you want to do that or how old you both are. I imagine things must be very hard for you at home if you are considering that option. Running away can have serious consequences. Things to consider might be how you will both support yourselves, where you will stay and how you will stay safe away from your home. Running away can l also impact your education if you don’t have a good support system. We do not have legal expertise but I can tell you that running is not illegal, you will not be arrested for running away but if your legal guardians report you as a runaway, the police will pick you up if they find you and return you to your guardians. If you were to stay with any friends and family while you are gone, they might get in trouble for harboring a runaway if your guardian has reported you. Stealing a car is a crime and you could get in trouble with the police if you were to do that. We can’t advise the extent of what those consequences would be as we are not a legal service and it would depend on the situation. National Runaway Safeline is 24/7 crisis line. We can talk with you directly about your personal situation and why you are considering running away. Our call center staff would be happy to discuss resources and options you might have to improve your home situation or help you reach out to others who might be able to help. Please call our crisis line at (800) 786-2929 of you would like to talk with someone over the phone.

[Guest]

Hi I currently live with my mom but she treats me (just me) SO BAD. To the point where everyone is worried for me and feels like she isn’t a good mother. She’s fine with my litter siblings but with me she’s extremely mean. I was planning on running away with my grandma to live with her (I used to live with her my whole life but my mom made me move in with her) she is visiting me this month and got a plane ticket for me to leave. What’s the worst that can happen to me if I try to leave? I don’t have a problem with being arrested or getting sent to a mental hospital. Can I get taken out of her house? What will happen to my little siblings?

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you’re in a very difficult situation and we thank you for having the courage to talk about what’s been going on. It’s not okay that your mother is treating you so poorly. We’re not certain of the details, but if you believe that you’re being abused or neglected you have the right to file an abuse report. For more information on what that process looks like and what the outcome could be (for example, being removed from your home and what happens with your siblings) you can call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453. If you have an adult in your life that you trust, like a teacher, guidance counselor, or perhaps a friend’s parent we encourage you to reach out to them for support.
It sounds like you have a great relationship with your grandmother and it’s frustrating that you weren’t able to stay with her. We aren’t legal experts here, so we cannot say exactly what would happen if you left with your grandmother. Running away isn’t generally punishable by jail time, but there is a possibility that your grandmother would run into legal trouble.
If you’d like to speak more specifically about your situation or need additional resources, feel free to give us a call at any time. Our number is 1-800-786-2929.
Stay safe!
NRS

[Guest]

Jayden.. i am in the same boat..except i am 14 and i want to runaway from bartow to either new york or los angeles.. i have no clue how i will leave without them knowing

[ccsmod9]

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]

Hey so my friend is trying to run away to a different state during spring break without her parents knowing. I told her to not mention my name or any of her friends name if her parents file a report. I told her that if she was to runaway, I don’t want her to tell me where she is or her plans because i don’t want to get in trouble with the police for holding information about where she is. Also, she is planning for me to lie for her but i can’t do that and she will probably mention my name if she does. My question is, Will i get in trouble if I know where she is and i don’t tell her parents or the police?

[ccsmod9]

running away to another state #115 / Legal Issues / 71.204.90.244

Hey so my friend is trying to run away to a different state during spring break without her parents knowing. I told her to not mention my name or any of her friends name if her parents file a report. I told her that if she was to runaway, I don’t want her to tell me where she is or her plans because i don’t want to get in trouble with the police for holding information about where she is. Also, she is planning for me to lie for her but i can’t do that and she will probably mention my name if she does. My question is, Will i get in trouble if I know where she is and i don’t tell her parents or the police?

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]

I just turned 16. I have no job. No money. I live in California. I'm thinking about running away to where my girlfriend lives. She lives in tennessee. She also just turned 16. We both live in bad homes and wish to be together. I feel unwanted and unsupported here. I really want to go see her. I have no money to get there. I can't buy a train ticket. I have no money. I'm not doing so well in school either. I just want to be with her. I can't wait. I love her. I know it's irresponsible to run away. But I really want to move to tennessee to be with her. I talked to my mom about how my girlfriend said there's a house for sale on her street. And my mom said we aren't moving to tennessee. Is there a way I can move there myself without money? Right now we aren't really dating. I guess we aren't. She's with another girl. I am kind of an abusive person. And I take things out on my girlfriend alot. Because I don't know how to deal with stuff that has to do with family. I get yelled at, put down, and I don't feel loved or accepted. My mom and family think it's bad because my girlfriend and I are always on the phone. I'm in therapy and taking medication. I'm trying really hard to become the better version of myself. I don't think it's my fault that I don't know how to deal with things. I grew up in a house surrounded by drugs and alcohol and violence. I used to get hit. Anyways, I love my family and all. They are fun. But they stress me out. They think that being in a relationship with my girlfriend is the thing stressing me out and worrying me. But i don't think it's her. I've tried to talk to my family and therapist about how I feel and how I feel about my family. And that I want to see my girlfriend. But they don't understand. I feel like my girlfriend understands more than my family. She's been through the same things I've been through. We want to have a future together. And we want to have kids and live in a house together. We've known each other for awhile. And have dated for quite some time. We've been through alot together. And even though we have hurt each other a lot, I know deep down she loves me. And I know that I love her. She says my family is the reason she wouldn't want to be with me. They're always yelling. And my sister is mean and a bully. She doesn't care about anything. She makes me feel like nothing. I have tried talking to her. And trying to get support from friends but nothing helps. I want to be with her. I know we will get together again. I know she cares and loves me. She tells me she loves me. I know it's bad because that's cheating, and we both have cheated on each other and talked bad about each other. And we regret it. I wish I could take it back. I just know if I didn't have to live with my family. I can be myself and hug, kiss and touch my girlfriend. I want to be able to touch her. And I can't do that so far away. I've waited two years. I want us to be together now.

[ccsmod2]

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS and having the strength to share your story with us. We are sorry to hear about your home situation and how you have been treated. The short answer to your question about leaving would be that moving across states without money would be difficult. If you wanted to possibly get a job, save up for a time and plan for an exit, that could be an option for you. A job training program like Job Corps could be a resource; their website is jobcorps.gov.

It sounds like you care deeply for your girlfriend and your relationship with her. We understand that relationships are hard and changing the behaviors you mentioned would take a lot of effort. However, that you are aware of your behaviors is a great first step, and another would be to consciously change these abusive tendencies. A resource for this could be the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, available at 1-866-331-9474 and online at loveisrespect.org

We would love to talk more about the details of your situation so that we can work towards a solution that you find acceptable. If you would like to share more, please feel free to call our 24 hour hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or use our Live Chat.
We hope this information was helpful and take care.
National Runaway Safeline
[email protected] (Crisis Email)
1-800-RUNAWAY (24 Hour Hotline)

[Guest]

Hi. I want to run away to Arizona and I have almost 600 dollars saved up. I was originally saving that money to go to Arizona for a wedding and over the summer, but im adopted and my adopted parents wont let me go to Arizona. I am wanting to go to Arizona because my old foster mom lives there and my family doesn't seem to understand that I hate my life with them and that I want to make my own decisions.Am I able to get on a plane as a 16 year old with out anybody?

[ccsmod3]

Hello –

Thank you for contacting us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We understand that it takes great courage to reach out. I’m sorry to hear that life at home has led you to want to run away, that sounds like a difficult situation to deal with.

Having a place to stay to ensure that you are safe is very important. While we are not legal experts, running away is not considered illegal. That would also mean you are allowed to take a flight without your parents consent with most airlines. Before booking, be sure to check the airlines website to check on minors eligibility.

However, since you are a minor, your guardians have the right to file a runaway report. With an runaway report, if the police find you they would return you home unless you express to them that you live in a unsafe environment. If you left home and decided to stay with a friend, they could get in trouble for harboring a runaway. To learn more about the process of running away and being able to enroll in school without your legal guardian’s permission, you can also call the National Center of Homeless Education Hotline at 1-800-308-2145.

If you would like to discuss the reasons as to why you want to runaway or you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

We hope the information provided helps. Remember we are available 24/7 and can be toll-free reached at the number listed above. We are confidential, anonymous, and non-direct.

Best Wishes
~NRS