What are the consequences of a 15 year old running away

[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

Hi,
I'm 15 living in Ireland. I've been debating running away for almost 2 years and I think once I find somewhere safe to stay, I should. My home life is toxic, its not unsafe but I'm genuinely unhappy and have been for a while. What can police do if they don't find me within the first month? Can my parents press charges? Is it safer to go with my friend who's in the same position or should I go on my own?

[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. We care a lot about your safety and well-being and want you to stay here with us. If you feel like you are an immediate threat to your own safety we urge you to call out to emergency services. 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

i told my mom that i dont feel like living, and without a second thought, she told me to die and stop trying to victimize myself. the word " die" keeps going on over and over in my head and i hear it in her voice..this happens many times..i cry myself to sleep all the time ..i cut myself too , i have trichotillomania and bulimia and ocd. they told me to stop seeing my therapist too. the only thing holding me back from killing myself is that if i dont coompletely die, and they find out that i did attempt, im going to be in a worse position . help asap

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

If I'm 15 and run away when will the cops stop looking for me

[ccsmod8]

Hello,

We're glad you reached out to us. We'll try to help in any way that we can. It can be difficult sometimes when we feel like we aren't in control or when things are being too micromanaged by someone. Seems like it's getting to the point where she might be punishing you and taking away certain privileges. It's understandable that you have been thinking about running away because you feel your mother is too strict.

We are not legal experts, but to our knowledge running away is not considered a crime. However, if you are under 18 and leave the house without permission, your parents have the right to file a runaway report with local law enforcement. Since it’s only considered a statues offense and not a crime to run away, the only thing that would happen is that the police will pick you up and bring you back home

Having a solid plan about what you are planning on doing it might be a good idea so that you can think about what is reasonably possible for you to do and want isn’t. Factoring in these kinds of thoughts into your overall plan, again can possibly help you in your choice. It's certainly a jump step to make and we want you to be as safe as possible when making your decision.

We have a hotline you might want to call and talk about your options and your situation at 1800-RUNAWAY. We also have a chat line where you can chat with one of us about the situation. You might also want to talk to a school counselor or family member about how you feel. You deserve to feel safe and cared for in your own home.

Stay safe. Good luck.

hi, i wanna runaway from my family, their the best but i can't stand my mother's strictness sometimes, she took away everything and won't give them back...if i runaway now will i get in trouble with the state? i live in new york and is not too sure..-anon

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It 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. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
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.
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

i wanna run away im 15 and i do wanna run away my stepdad hates me so much and he always punches me yk like make me bruises and thats not right and i feel like i can be safer with my bf and his parents i cant go to jail bc he litterly make me have bruises plus i have pictures and i wanna feel safe wit my bf like if i showed the police da pics can da let me stay at my bf house ?

[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 difficult time and we want you to know that you are not alone.

We are not legal experts but do have some information on what could happen. Because you are a minor if you were to leave without permission your legal guardian could file a runaway report. If you were found the police would most likely bring you back home.

We know that things can be tough at home, you may want to consider talking to a school counselor about what you are going through. Talking to someone can help with getting the support you need and they can provide you with resources and options. If running away is your best option you can call us and we can help you with looking for a shelter.

We hope that 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

i am 14 i am thinking about running away for a long time i really dont care if i get in trouble i just want to run away cause i dont like my parents they make me so mad every ********ing day

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to listen and here to provide support. We are not legal experts but we do have some information.
So because you are a minor if you were to run away your legal guardian does have a right to file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they most likely would bring you home. In some cases, the police may not take a runaway report on a 17 year old but it depends on the police department. Usually they wouldn’t take a runaway report if the 17-year-old was only a month or two away from being 18.
If you were caught running away, because it is a status offence you would not be arrested. Instead you would most likely be returned home.
We hope that 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. Best of luck!
NRS

Im 16 years old about to be 17 and I heard police won't waste their time looking for 17 year olds since they are almost an adult. Is this true? what would happen if i ran away and got caught?

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS