What are the consequences of a 15 year old running away

[Guest]

Hi I’m 15 and I’m just scared because I lost a large some of money my parents used and I’m scared that even though I’m not a bad kid that I’m just going to be yelled at and screamed at and my depression makes it worse because I feel like I can’t do anything right that’s why I want to run away

[ccsmod7]

Hello, thank you so much for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about your situation and it is completely understandable that you are considering running away. You are looking for help and thinking about your options which is really good to see.

It is reasonable that you are afraid to get yelled at for making a mistake, yet we all make mistakes and it is part of being human. In view of your mention of depression, we would like to offer you the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is 1-800-273-8255. This hotline is available for free and can offer support for thoughts not only on suicide but also on depression. To answer your question about what the consequences of running away would be, although we are not legal experts here at NRS I can assure you that running away itself is not necessarily a crime. That being said, the people who harbor a runaway could potentially get in trouble.

Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot to ask for help and you are so brave for considering your options. If you would like to talk further about our situation, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We’re available 24-7 and can offer more resources as well as guidance and support. We’re here to listen, here to help.

[Guest]

i really want to run away because my mom yells at me making feel like i cant do anything right and she controls my life most of the time, i just want my freedom

[ccsmod13]

Hey there, thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. It sounds like you've been coping with a very frustrating situation at home with your mom. We are always here to listen and brainstorm ideas with you. We want to ensure whatever you may decide, that you are safe and have options.
While we aren’t legal experts, 18 is generally the age of adulthood in most states. If you do decide to leave home before turning that age, your parent/guardian may file something called a runaway report. Generally, running away isn’t illegal per say, it is something called a status offense. Similar to curfew, you would not be arrested or charged (unless other circumstances exist like being on probation, running away habitually, etc.). In most cases the police will take a report to help try to find the youth and bring them back to their parents/guardians. We know this can be a lot and we are always here to brainstorm and talk about what this means to you and help create a plan with this information in mind.
It may be something you have tried, but we want to mention that an option could be to try to talk to your mom about how she is treating you and how that makes you feel. This could be a way to explore talking about more freedom and seeing if a discussion can bring a compromise to this topic. You do not have to do this alone, you can always think about bringing in a third party like a friend, trusted adult, teacher, etc. to bring in a different perspective. Sometimes having help from someone outside of the family can bring attention to the issue and offer safe ways to bring about change in the home. If you do not feel that is the safest option, we can always brainstorm other ideas that you feel may work and talk about them if you can reach out to us again.

If you can reach out to us again, we would love to hear more about what is going on if you are comfortable. It takes a lot of bravery to reach out to us and talk about what has been going on. We do truly care about you. If you want to talk further, we are always here 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY and we also have a chat system at 1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon!

[Guest]

Is it legal for me to run away from home and get to Slovakia? I am 10 years old and I live in England. If so, how would I be able to?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi! I'm 15 years old and go to a private school. My parents have been telling me that they are 'falling apart' and are 'broken' because I am doing not the greatest in school and not the greatest in sports either. I hate the life I live and I want to just leave. My parents pretty much tell me that I am nothing, and I feel that I am. I am wondering if running away will really solve anything. My parents are telling me that they are going to take me out of my private school and put me in a regular school. They also tell me that they will take me out of sports. I don't want that. I'm not going to fit in at a public school, and I really just want to run away. Leaving all my problems behind would be the greatest. The problem is, my parents will be even more broken if I run away and I have nowhere to stay. Plus, I won't be able to carry much for that far if I DO decide to leave. Please help. I need advice. –[name edited]

[ccsmod16]

Hi there,

We are sorry to hear that you are going through such a rough time at home right now. It feels as if you have quite a burden on your shoulders -- and that seems unfair. You don't deserve to be treated abusively, particularly when your parents say things that are untrue (for instance, telling you you are nothing). That's incredibly hurtful. You deserve to have your feelings validated and your voice heard. We are here to listen, even if we can't promise any quick and easy answers to your dilemma.

You sound very thoughtful and intelligent to be thinking through what the possible consequences may be if you ran away. Of course, your parents would have the right to file a runaway report if you ran, and anyone you stay with could be accused of harboring a runaway, which is a misdemeanor. There are other issues to consider: How would you remain safe? How would running affect your schooling and your future plans? What would the consequences be if you ran away and then (as is usually the case) are returned home? It's definitely a complicated matter. We never tell anyone what to do, but those are some things to consider.

Perhaps there are other options besides leaving home without permission that will improve your situation. Maybe your parents would allow you to live elsewhere. Or maybe there are some ways in which communication can be improved between you and your parents. Or something else.

We are here to support you as best a we can but would need some more information from you to help you figure out what you'd like to do next. The best way for us to do that is if you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us via our main page: www.1800runaway.org. All calls and chats are confidential, and we never judge anyone. We are here to listen and help. We hope to hear from you soon!

[Guest]

For the last year I have suffered from severe depression, I don't want to say that it's their fault but I didn't start to feel like this until they started to emotionally and mentally abusing me. I don't want to live my current place. I want my guardian to sign over her custody rights over to one of my friends parents.Do I have to be put back in the system in order for my friends parents to gain full custody?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thanks for contacting NRS and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you with figuring out your next steps in this difficult situation. Asking for help was really responsible and smart of you. We are sorry to hear things are so unstable at home. You deserve to live somewhere that makes you feel safe and supported.

We are not legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking your guardian can sign over temporary guardianship to another person and give you permission to live with this person. However, if you are a current or former ward of the state, you and your guardian might have to get this new living arrangement approved by a caseworker.

We want to support you during this transition and talking more in detail about your situation would help us better support you. If you would like to talk more about your situation and discover your possible options, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us anytime. You can contact us 24/7 by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

"if your 15 and you run away to your grandparents house and the police come can the phically take you back home to your parents if they file a report like what if you refuse to go back can they grab you and take you home .

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. From your email to us here, we can see that you have very similar questions to a lot of our callers and you’re looking for some answers. It seems like there must be a lot going on in your life, especially at home, if you’re thinking about leaving home. It’s great that you were able to find out some information about our hotline. Hopefully we can help.

As a minor (under the age of majority), you aren't able to leave home without your parents’ permission. We aren’t legal experts, but what generally what typically happens if a minor runs away, is that your parents would be able to make a runaway. You can’t be arrested for running away. If the police came to your grandparent’s home, they could technically force to you return home.

We hope this response was helpful! We certainly want to help you. If you give us a call on our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) we could potentially help you brainstorm a possible solution to the issues you are having. We would love to talk to you.

Best, NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 and pregnant. Can I legally leave my house without consequences?

[ccsmod0]

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]

Hi. I'm 15 years old and have been contemplating running away for a long period of time. Today my mother informally disowned me and insisted I call her by her first name. I have nowhere to stay, as my father made it clear multiple times that he's not in a financially stable situation to take me into his apartment. I don't know what to do; I have friends in many different states but I don't want to get them in trouble, and I feel like I have no options. My mother has threatened to place me into rehab or a mental institution, when I have done nothing to warrant being placed in one. I just know that I can't stay in this house with this family. What should I do?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there and thank you for reaching out to NRS.

It can certainly be stressful and overwhelming when the adults in our lives are not supportive like they should be. Your mom has a responsibility to make sure you are safe and cared for until your turn 18, and it is not okay that she disowned you like you mentioned. Contacting someone for help was really responsible and resourceful of you.

Sometimes having a an adult involved to advocate for you can help conversations with parents stay calm and productive. It sounds like your mom is threatening to send you somewhere and you would prefer to live somewhere else where you feel more comfortable. Perhaps there is a family member or another trusted person you can talk to about the situation with your mom and see if they would be willing to help you speak to her about your needs.

If you call us at out hotline (1-800-786-2929) or if you chat with using our live chat services at 1800runaway.org we would be happy to search for some youth shelters in your area. Generally, youth shelters are only temporary unless a parent gives you permission to stay longer, but they can be a resource if you need a safe place to go in an emergency.

We truly want to be a support for you while you navigate this challenging situation. We are available 24/7 by phone or chat to be a listening ear, brainstorm options with you, and connect you to resources like safe places to go. Do not hesitate to reach out again if you would like to talk more in detail about your situation and talk through what you would like your next steps to be.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 14, from what I've seen I think I'm the youngest posting this. I plan on running away, it's more of an emergency run away. I've tried staying with my dad but my mom begged me to come back. A day after I did, my mom and step dad got into a fight and they ended up sending me to The Meadows. A place for troubled youth. I honestly felt better and happier there then I have ever felt at home. My parents are very homophobic, and they always throw around that being gay/bisexual/lesbian is a mental illness. Although sometimes she comes to me and asks if I like girls, and always says she will love me no matter what. I don't believe her, and if I do come out of the closet, I'm afraid my stepfather will treat me different. If been suicidal for a long time, about 3 years. I've only acted on it 4 times. (4 times too many but you know. Things happen.) I've done some pretty stupid stuff in the past 2 months. Picked up smoking, thought about drinking. Took a few sips of liquor when my grandmother sleeps. Stuff like that. Haven't gotten drunk or anything. But I've been searching for something to numb myself. My mom found out I was smoking tonight. Not that I want to run away because I don't want to own up for my mistake, but it's the fact i hate my step dad. He's called my mentally challenged brother a retard. My mother has called me a ********** only a handful of times, doesn't change the fact I dislike her a little more for that. I just feel as if I can't do anything and I'm trapped in my room because if I step out I'm constantly judged for something. If I can't run away, I might as well kill myself- that's my mindset right now. If anyone knows what I can do, that would be great. And if anyone can give me a list of rights for someone my age, that would be lovely. Thank you

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult situation. You do not deserved to be judged and most people judge because of their own insecurities.
We want you to know that your life is valuable, and it may not seem like it now but you have a lot to live for. Suicide is a permeant decision for a temporary situation that you may not always have to deal with. You do not have to deal with this alone, there is always someone willing to listen and provide support. If you are ever feeling suicidal please call The National Suicide Prevention Line at: 1800-273-8255. Also you could consider talking with a school counselor about what you are going through. Sometimes having someone that can provide support may be helpful to you.
We are not legal experts but we do have general information on the laws. Because you are a minor if you were to runaway your legal guardian does have the right to file a runaway report. If the police do find you they most likely would bring you back home. You could consider emancipation but in most states you would need to be at least 15 years old to start the process. If you would like to know more about the process please give us a call.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any more 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]

hi im 15 and ive planned to run away today after school, ive had a massive argument with my parents and sister. i live with my dad and step-mum =, my step-sister was talking about my mum and said shes a stripper and an acoholic, i have had a bad life and been in foster care because my mum had an abusive relationship. im not allowed to hang around with my best friend [name edited] because apparently she causes to much trouble and shes a bad influence but i dont think she is. i have self-harmed before on my arms and legs and i feel so depressed i cannot take it anymore. is good that i want to go back into foster care where my real sister is and live there with her and i will be able to have contact with my mum again or stay at a broken, argumentive house. should i run away?

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us. It's great that you are trying to get support for the difficult situation you are in. We're here to help as best as we can.

It hurts to have conflict with family, and we're sorry to hear about your depression and self-harm. Sometimes talking things through is a first step towards healing. You know, we are always available if you'd ever like to talk. We are here 24/7, are totally confidential, and never tell anyone what to do. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat with us via our website by visiting the chatroom at www.1800runaway.org. Another great resource in regards self-harm is www.twloha.com. Lots of good advice and support there.

As toyour question about running away: well, we can't ever tell anyone what to do, but you might want to consider some questions about what running away would like like for you. Questions like where you would live, how running away would affect your schooling and your future, how your parents might react, and so forth. You also mention you would like to go back to living with your sister and have more contact with your mum. One idea might be to simply ask permission from your dad if you can do that. If he agrees, then you wouldn't be considered a runaway. But perhaps there are other options as well. We'd like to help further, but would need some more information from you to see how we can help. So if you give us a call or chat with us that would be really great.

Whatever you decide, please know that you don't have to face your challenges alone. We are here for you and there are other resources that can help as well. Please stay safe. We hope to hear from you soon!

NRS

[Guest]

Hi im 15 and i ran away from an abusive situation. i was wondering if the paretns who took me in would get in trouble ?

[ccsmod6]

Hey, we’re so glad that you reached out. Getting out of an abusive situation is really brave thing to do, and must have been really hard for you. It’s great that you had somewhere to go where you felt safe. No one deserves to be put through abuse.

That’s a really good question. It is possible for the people who took you in to get in trouble, especially if your parents/guardians filed a runaway report for you. They could potentially be charged with harboring a runaway. However, if your parents gave you permission to leave, then they wouldn’t be in any trouble. It generally depends on the circumstance. Something for you to possibly consider could be filing an abuse report. We know that this might be a little intimidating, but if you go to https://www.childhelp.org/ they have a lot of great information on what that process might look like, and other helpful information for people in your situation.

If you have any questions or are still at all confused, please feel free to call the National Runaway Safeline (1-800-786-2929) and we’ll provide some clarification on your situation. If reporting is something you’re interested in, we could also help you with that if you’d like. If you go to our website at https://www.1800runaway.org/ there’s also a chat option if you don’t feel comfortable speaking with someone on the phone. We’re available 24/7 and are completely anonymous. It takes a lot of strength for you to take care of yourself like you have, and we want the best for your situation

[Guest]

Hello, I'm 15 years old and Live in Colorado (U.S) and I want to get away from home. My parents have me under their thumb with everything and all I want is some freedom and privacy, They love me and care for me, but they stress me out too much. I say I'm "Saving money for a Switch, however, I'm just saving money So I can get a start on running away, most likely to another state. They also took away everything from me (Other than my Computer for HW) so they have no way of knowing where I am. In the event they might find me, are there any consequences against me for running away for a bit?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. It makes sense that you would want more freedom and independence and it sounds really frustrating to be under such intense supervision. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

We aren’t legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if you do opt to leave your home your parents can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned home.

It seems like your parents don't fully understand how their constant supervision is affecting you. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, trusted friend, or family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your parents so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

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]

his i am 15 and i wanna run away my aunt and uncle have temporary custody of my but i don't wanna stay here no more what happens if my mom comes and picks me up and takes me to san antonio

[ccsmod0]

Hey there,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We understand it can be difficult to talk about these things you're dealing with, and we are here for you. Because your aunt and uncle have temporary custody of you, they are your legal guardians. If you do leave their home before the age of 18, they could report to the police that you are a runaway, and your mom could be prosecuted for harboring a runaway. If the court granted your aunt and uncle custody, there could be major consequences for your mom if she takes you to San Antonio, especially if this requires her to take you across state lines (you didn't mention if you are also in Texas). You could possibly talk to your aunt and uncle about spending more time with your mom instead of completely leaving and moving in with her. If you would like to talk in more detail about your situation and explore options, you can reach us by phone or by chat through our website. A service we provide is conference calling, and we could help facilitate a call between you and your aunt and uncle if you feel like that would help you talk to them about what you are wanting.
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]

Hi, I'm 15 years old what happens if I run away in Georgia I have somewhere safe to stay but will how much trouble will I get in?

[ccsmod6]

Hi there, thank you for reaching out to us! It’s important for you to know that running away is not a crime nor is it illegal, which means you won’t have any serious legal consequences for running away and getting caught. When you run away it is considered a status offense, police must return you home simply because you are a minor. At 15 your parents/legal guardians do have the right to file a runaway report with the police and they would then actively search for you. Although it may not be common it is possible that your parents/legal guardians can charge the person you are staying way for “harboring a runaway” which means keeping you without permission. You may also want to consider shelters in your area, but you should know that each shelter is different some will take you in with no questions asked, some will require to notify your parents/legal guardians (not permission just an attempt to notification), and others will require consent. If you are looking for resources in your area we can help you out, for specific questions please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chatting with us at 1800runaway.org. We are 24/7, confidential and toll-free. We understand that it can be difficult to reach out for help, so we thank you for contacting us! Best of luck!

[Guest]

hi, im 15 years old and i’ve been planning on running away.

i live in an unhealthy and unsafe environment. i constantly get remarks about stuff regarding what i do, my appearance and just everything about me. it hurts a lot. i get verbally abused, and because of these said remarks i’ve developed depression, suicidal thoughts and also anorexia. there hasn’t been a day where i don’t think about committing suicide. my parents are almost always fighting. my mother is always harsh towards me. my siblings never stand up for me. i’ve always felt alone and isolated here, a place where im supposed to feel loved and safe. i’ve tried talking to them about it, which resulted to me getting made fun of and mocked. im losing hope, and i just want all of it to stop. im thinking about running away, maybe stay at a friend’s house for a while. im thinking of leaving a note explaining everything and how im never ever going back home again. but if they still report a runaway file, i see that if i get caught they’re going to try to make me go home again. if i explain everything and convince them to not take me back home, what happens next? i don’t want anything to happen to my friends, nor to any of my siblings. i just want more information as to what happens after they let me stay. thank you.

[ccsmod2]

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you’ve been going through a very hard time at home. No one deserves to be mistreated by anyone, least of all their parents. But we’re glad you reached out for some support. That takes a lot of courage.

The most important thing is that you’re safe. If you’ve been having thoughts of hurting yourself, you can always call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also call our crisis hotline anytime, 24/7, at 1-800-786-2929. Someone is always hear to listen and to help. If you’d rather not call, you can try our chat service at 1800runaway.org.

We’re sorry to hear your mom has been verbally abusive. If you’ve been abused, you always have the right to report that. For help with that process, you can call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453. Someone will be there to hear your story and to help. You can also call our crisis hotline if you want information or support with abuse reporting.

As for running away, it’s possible that your mom might file a report and that police would take you back home. You wouldn’t be breaking any laws, but the person you stay with could get charged with harboring a runaway. However, police might be less likely to intervene if they know that you’re in a safer environment than you were at home, i.e., if an abuse report is in place.

If you have any more questions or just want to talk, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Thanks again for reaching out and we hope to hear from you soon.