What are the consequences of a 15 year old running away

[Guest]

i am 15 if i run away what will happen ?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today.

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 leave home at 15 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.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need resources, or need to talk: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

-NRS

[Guest]

I have recently had major issues with my family. I have asked to go to an inpatient hospital, and they laughed and told me I was not going. As someone who’s been hospitalized before for suicidal reasons, I was very upset. My mom constantly calls me a whore and tells me she doesn’t know why I still have friends. My dad does little to nothing and constantly gets angered. My mother told me getting raped was my fault, and I can’t take it anymore. I want to get away, and have friends that I can live with. Im 15, and I am scared that if I count as a runaway and get taken back home, my home life will be worse. There is no evidence of physical abuse, but there is emotional abuse; I don’t know if that would be enough to keep me out of the house. I have PTSD, Dissociative Mood Disorder, Clinical Depression, General Anxiety, and ADD. My illnesses make it harder to live here, and I don’t know if I’ll make it to 17 (when I can legally leave the house). Please help me.

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for telling us your story and reaching out. It can be difficult telling others what has happened to you. You have shown great strength dealing with what you have and asking for help. We want you to know that no one deserves to be called names and made to think that being assaulted was their fault. If you haven’t already, you could consider reporting the abuse you have experienced. If you want more information about abuse reporting or if you want to file a report, you could call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453. We’re also sorry to hear that you’ve thought about suicide in the past. Your life is very important. If you begin having those thoughts again and want to talk with someone anonymously, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. One resource that might work for you is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can reach them at 1-800-273-8255. They also have an internet chat function through their website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

You mentioned having PTSD, Dissociative Mood Disorder, Clinical Depression, General Anxiety, and ADD.. If you’re not currently getting mental health resources, it can be really helpful to get treatment As your mental health suffers, you have -limited ability to handle the other stressors in your life. You can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to connect you to mental health resources at 1-800-950-6264 or NAMI.org You may also want to talk to your school because they should have a counselor for you.

Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. We’re not legal experts here at NRS. Generally it’s not illegal to leave home, but your parents could file a runaway report, the police could get involved, and they could bring you home. The people you’re staying with could potentially get in trouble for having you stay there if your parents file a report. You could consider calling your local nonemergency police department to ask about their policies. We also have legal aid resources here if you have specific questions about the laws in your state.

If you don’t feel safe and feel like you need to get away Nationalsafeplace.org provides a safe location for you to meet a staff member who can take you to a designated place where you can discuss all options about how to stay safe. You can text 44357 the word “safe,” and your location to find a safe location in your area. Once you arrive let someone who works there know you need help connecting with a staff member.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your parents but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your dad how it makes you feel when he does nothing when your mom calls you names and why you want to leave. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

[Guest]

I have question my son is 15 ran away he's on probation and his staying with ex brother law. Can I push charges on my ex brother in law for keep my son in his home?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I have question

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.
Anyone found to be assisting or harboring someone that is a runaway may also find themselves at risk legally. Helping someone violate probation may also be an offense of the law. For more specifics on the law, you might consider contacting the local non-emergency number for the police along with contact your son’s probation officer. You might also look for a legal aid center in the area. They may be able to answer any legal questions on the subject.

If you would like to talk more about your situation, 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’m 15 and I wanna leave home...it’s to the point that I’m not supported by my own family and get yelled at and cussed at on a regular basis and blamed for things I didn’t do. I get Calle stupid and ugly and retarded for no reason. All I wanna do is be happy and talk to my family about how I feel but when I do that they ignore me. It’s to the point where I wanna die bc of nun environment I get treated differently and it isn’t fair I feel like I’m not loved and I already go through a lot. I want to run away because I feel if I don’t then I would end up killing myself. I need help! What should I do?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension. You shouldn't have to be cussed at or treated poorly. Everyone should be able to live somewhere where they feel happy, safe, and secure.
It may be beneficial to see if your parents would be open to family counseling or see if a trusted friend or family member could mediate a conversation to help create a safe place to share your feelings. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

You mentioned that you feel like you would end up killing yourself. We care a lot about your safety, and we can help you find resources that can help you cope with these feelings. You do not have to face this alone, and there is so much help out there for you. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, the National Suicide Hotline could be a good resource for you. You can check them out at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, or you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help and support any time.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 15 years old and i want to runaway, i've been wanting to do this for a month or so, but my guardian doesn't let me stay at my friends to sleep at least, what would happen if i go to mexico and come back days later? i live close to the border and i have somewhere to stay in mexico.

[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]

My dad is abusive emotionally if I run away and when I get caught can I refuse to go back

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out. That sounds so hurtful that your dad is being verbally abusive, you so deserve to be treated with respect.

We are not legal experts but we can answer your question generally. If you run and your dad reports you as a runaway, and you are found by police, you can try to let them know what is going on at home. However, if police do not see evidence that your home is unsafe, it is possible that they could return you home. If you are able to convince police that home is unsafe, they could work with child protective services or local youth shelters to help you get to a safe place.

You do have the right to report emotional abuse to child protective services. Please keep in mind you by no means deserve any type of abuse, emotional or otherwise. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often harder to provide evidence for compared to physical abuse which is often what CPS relies on when conducting an abuse investigation. That said, we can’t be 100% sure what the outcome will be if your local CPS decides to open a case based on what you share. Sometimes CPS decides to remove minors from the home and other times they offer services such as family counseling or mediation instead. The only way to know the outcome might be to reach out to them directly and if you’re ready to do that we are here to help you through that process. Reaching out to Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org may help to get a better understanding of what may happen before and after a report is made.

We hope this helps. Please reach out if we can offer any further support: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Hi, I want to run away from my home in Virgina but stay in state, would i get it trouble with police?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you are looking to leave home and are wondering what police response would be like. That is smart of you. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms.

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian in Virginia. 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. 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.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck. 1-800-RUNAWAY; www/1800runaway.org

-NRS

[Guest]

Hi, i am 15 and hate it in this house! My parents have been in and out of jail and do drugs and treat me like I’m nothing! They both beat me and I’ve threatened so many times to run away but scared to get sent off to JDC or getting in really bad trouble! I don’t know the laws here I live in Arkansas but could you help with what I should do?

[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 sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any 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.
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 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 unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 15 years old...i cant stand living with my father...i must go back to my moms...But my dad doesnt let me at all!! I just need a mother who loves me and i know my mother loves me...But i cant have any contact on her whats so ever...I need to leave this house...I cant be here anymore..I have been thinking of running away for a while but always afriad of doing it because i think im going to get in trouble ...Please help me!

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation and we may be able to help you find some resources.
Our first concern is that you are safe and off the street. We are not legal experts, but we may be able to provide some general information. First, running away is not illegal. If you did run away, your father could file a runaway report. If he did, and you were picked up by the police, they would likely take you back to your father’s house if he is your legal guardian.
The police generally do not actively investigate runaway cases. If you call the non-emergency number of the local police department they may be able to provide information on how they handle runaway cases. If you do run away, and you are staying with a friend or family member, they could potentially be charged with harboring a runaway. The police may also be able to give you some information on how they handle harboring cases.
A potential resource for you is Child Help, the National Child Abuse Hotline. You can reach them at 1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org. They may be able to suggest ways to deal with your current situation and provide additional resources that may be helpful to you.
You can also consider talking to friends or family members. School counselors can also be a good resource. You should be aware, however, that school counselors are “mandated reporters” and may have an obligation to report potential abuse to local child protective services authorities.
You can also always contact us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org. We have volunteers available 24/7 to talk and to help you find resources that may be helpful to you.
We wish you the best!

[Guest]

ive been thinking about running away and I am not too sure I should, my dad puts his hands on me often and yells at me calling me a ******** up and a piece of ******** self centered prick, he has also threatened to send me places and if im unhappy just run away, and im heavily thinking about it

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. What you are describing may be abuse and you do not deserve to be treated that way. If you would like to make an abuse report you can call The Child Helpline at: 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes making abuse reports can be scary if you would like our help you can call us at any time. If you ever feel like you are in immediate danger please call the police.
You mentioned thinking of running away we are not legal experts but we do have general information on the laws. If you were to leave without permission your legal guardian does have the right to file a runaway report. If the police did find you they most likely would bring you back home. If you need a safe place to stay you can give us a call and we can help look for shelters.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I am 14 years old, my parents literally don't understand how life is for me. I got kicked out of my original school and got sent to an alternative school ever since then my parents dont trust me to go anywhere .. I made ONE mistake and they lose faith in me ! They never let me go out with my friends to the movies and since they never let me go out I started sneaking out .. I've been sneaking out since like January but recently like 1 week ago my parents started noticing that I've been sneaking out sooo my dad literally sealed my door shut. Let's rewind a but I've been caught by the cops sneaking out once and they took me home told my parents and my dad SLAPPPED ME ACROSS THE FACE ! he called me horrible names and I was crying my mom didnt even care she just looked at me and said "stop crying this is your fault no one told you to sneak out and act like a whore" my mom is always calling me dirty names and she always makes me feel so insecure I JUST WANT TO RUN AWAY .. I've been planning to run away for a while now and I was wondering WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I RAN AWAY WITH A 16 YEAR OLD BOY AND WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES BE IF THEY FOUND ME?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like tensions are really high at home from you sneaking out, and your parents have responded really hurtfully. It's not okay that they called you horrible names and that you were slapped. You so deserve to be feel safe.

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 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. 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.

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. 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.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

hi im 15 years old and i was dealing with so much at home my mother tried to call the police on me and lie and i ran away i have a safe enviornment to stay and im going to be 16 in august . i dont want to live with my mother anymore i want to live with my dad and he wants me to live with him he ives in delaware but i think my mother has custody my father is trying to get custody and his rights although he lives in delaware i told my father what was going on and he knows everything i told him i ran away from my mother i want to get emancipated and i live in ohio what can i do because i dont want to return home and what will the police do if im found because i dont want to go to jail but i dont wanna go home

[ccsmod15]

Hey there, thanks for posting! It sounds like things with mom are really tough and now you are wanting to stay with your dad but he does not have custody, if we are understanding correctly.

We are not legal experts, but the age of adulthood in most states in 18, meaning you have to have permission to leave before then. We also do not know all the details of custody: but talking to your dad about that may help if he has a lawyer or if you have a case worker!

As far as leaving before 18, that could be trickier depending on the local police. Your mom could potentially file a runaway report which let's the police know you are gone. You may consider whether or not she would do that. It is not a crime for you to runaway, so you would not go to jail, but if they find you, they may take you back to your mom if she does have full custody. If you are staying with an adult--like your dad--it is possible that that adult can get in trouble though. It is called harboring a runaway. So that is something else to think about: would your mom file those charges?
If you want to know how runaway reports work with your local police, you can find the local non-emergency number at usacops.com. You can call and ask without giving your name or anything. We can also make that call with you if you call us.

Some other options may be to try and talk to your mom. We offer conference calling if you think having a neutral third party could be helpful. We are 24/7 so call or live chat anytime for more direct help and services local to you.

Best of luck, this situation seems tricky! We are here to help anytime so do not hesitate to reach out again!

[Guest]

Hi . I run away cause my dad is in jail and it’s making me make bad decision but I wanna kno if she called me as a runway can I go to jail

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for contacting us at the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are going through a hard time right now. With your dad in being jail having someone to support you and talk to can be helpful. Family members, friends,and school counselors can be of great resource. Leaving home can be hard and it can be helpful to think about where you might stay and how you might pay for food, rent and other living expenses.
We are not legal experts however generally speaking if you are to leave home without your parents permission the police can bring you back home and whoever you are staying with could be charged with harboring a runaway.

All of this can be a lot to think about. If you would like you could call us at our 24 hour confidential hotline a 1-800-786-2929 and we would be happy to listen to you explore your options and provide any resources.

We wish you the best and hope to hear from you soon.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 and I dont Feel happy at home,my family is broken and I hate it here. I always get told I’m a disappointment and I bring shame to the family when I don’t do anything wrong. They take their anger out on me and I just can’t take it anymore I’m tired of the name calling yelling and doors slammed in my face I feel like I’m prisoned in my own house I’ve been feeling depressed And I want to run away and move in with a friend what do I do.

[ccsmod9]

You mentioned experiencing emotional abuse which may be reportable against your family. Please keep in mind you by no means deserve any type of abuse, emotional or otherwise. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often harder to provide evidence for compared to physical abuse which is often what CPS relies on when conducting an abuse investigation. That said, we can’t be 100% sure what the outcome will be if your local CPS decides to open a case based on what you share. Sometimes CPS decides to remove minors from the home and other times they offer services such as family counseling or mediation instead. The only way to know the outcome might be to reach out to them directly and if you’re ready to do that we are here to help you through that process. Reaching out to Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org may help to get a better understanding of what may happen before and after a report is made.
We hope this helps. Please reach out if we can offer any further support.
Be safe,
NRS