What are the consequences of a 15 year old running away

[Guest]

I am 16 and my life is not amazing. School is a problem, and the reason why I'm failing is because of my mom. She says we shouldn't be afraid of her but I am because whenever I fail a class she beats me and my siblings with a wire or a backscratcher. I can't take it anymore and I believe that if I moved out or get emancipated I would do much better in school. I would go to a friend's house or my boyfriend's house but I don't want to get them in trouble. What do I do?

[ccsmod6]

Hi. Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline and sharing a bit of your story with us. It must be rather stressful and heartbreaking to deal with that type of punishment. It sounds like what you described could be considered child abuse and if so this is something you can report to child protective services or the police if you are feeling unsafe. You don’t deserve that type of treatment at all and you should be treated with dignity and respect. If you need support or help doing this feel free to contact us or reach out to child help at 1800-422-4453. School can be a tough and stressful experience for anyone especially when there are personal issues taking place this can be a big distraction. Aside from filing an abuse report you can also reach out to your school counselor and make them aware of your home situation if you feel comfortable.
It may be important to know that if you would like to leave home you must be at least 18 years old to do so in most states. Therefore, at 16 you must have parental consent in order to leave home. If you do decide to leave without permission it may be important to know that your parents have the right to file a runaway report. If a runaway report is filed and you are found then you may be returned back home however you may notify authorities that you do not feel safe at home. If you are caught at your boyfriends or a friend’s house without permission they may be at risk of harboring charges.
If you decide to go the emancipation route, it may be important to know that emancipation can be a lengthy process and you will have to prove that you can be financially independent and responsible. To learn more about emancipation and go over some possible scenarios and options for your situation please do not hesitate to reach out to us via phone at 1800-runaway or come in and chat with us at 1800runaway.org All the best, NRS.

[Guest]

I have a question. I’m 15 years old and currently under custody of my parents. I’ve had a history of suicide and depression and whenever I’ve cut myself my parents get extremely angry at me (so I guess that counts as verbal abuse when they yell), and I don’t exaggerate. I understand the difference between punishment and just plain hatred and I believe they’ve crossed a line. They don’t allow me to go anywhere besides school and I feel like I’m trapped. I’m not the kind of kid that wants to go off with their friends to parties and get high but it wouldn’t be nice to be able to go to the dollar general nextdoor me without facing my parents consequences. And I know that this sounds reduculous, but when they punish me for punishing myself (cutting) it only makes me want to do it more. They threatened to take me to a mental institution for 6 months because they didn’t want to deal with my anymore because they don’t think I’m trying. However, if I wasn’t trying I would have been dead a long time ago. Not only that, but I’m afraid they really are going to take me somewhere so I keep debating on wether or not to take myself out completely so I won’t have to deal with it anymore. I’ve never been this scared in my life and I’m desperate for an answer or help.
Is it legal for me to stay with a family friend without my parents consent, considering I’m only 15?

[ccsmod2]

Hello! Thank you for reaching out to NRS! It sounds like your situation is very frustrating. You deserve to feel loved and cared for in your home. You have made some suicidal comments which is very serious. We take your safety earnestly. You can always call the National suicide Prevention Lifeline if you are having these thoughts. Their number is 1800-273-8255. We have some resources regarding mental health that you might be interested in. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a great resource that can help you find other resources and talk through your situation. Their number is 1800-950-NAMI. You can also text NAMI at 741741.
Since you are a minor, you would need your parent’s consent on anywhere you go since you are their legal responsibility. Your family friend could be charged with harboring a minor if you do not have your parent’s consent to stay with them. You can always contact us via chat on our website at www.1800runaway.org or call us at 1800-786-2929 and we will be able to talk further and provide possible other resources.
We’re here to listen, here to help.
National Runaway Safeline

[Guest]

I’m 15 and I often argue with my parents. They threaten to kick me out, so i thought that it would be okay if I just left. But I don’t have a plan on where to go because my boyfriend lives all the way across town and I don’t have a phone to contact him or any other close friends.

[ccsmod9]

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

[Guest]

I turn 16 this June and I recently switched to online schooling for my sophomore year. I always had problems with my parents being ********ed up towards me and my 4 siblings and now they want to send me and my younger sister to a boarding school that I know they can't afford. I'm getting As and Bs at my online school, haven’t smoked or drank in a while and they still yell at me and my mom shoves me and ******** but I never do anything back cuz it's not as bad as I could be. If I get sent to this boarding school and then file for emancipation in June when I turn 16, am I allowed to stay at my friend's houses? Also I just want to finish high school online and I'm wondering if there are any laws to stop that from happening if I can prove that I am doing well here? If I run away from the boarding school before I am emancipated will I get taken in by the cops? Thanks, any help is appreciated. Male Arizona

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I turn 16 this June

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. In some states there are emancipation laws that can be one way of trying to gain your independence. . We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18.

Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. It’s best to check your local court house to gain more information on this process.
Also you might check with your local police department to inquire about the runaway laws in your state or if someone that moves out of their parent or guardian’s home would without permission would be considered a runaway and forced to return home.

If you would like to talk more about your situation we are here to listen and here to help.
To speak with someone on our crisis or chat line contact 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org

We look forward to hearing from you.

Take care,
NRS


We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

So I’m planning on running away to another city. I just wanted to know if it’s legal for me to take my birth certificate, SSID, and some other important papers and I already have everything planned out. I am a minor by the way and I plan on enrolling into a school and not coming back until I’m an adult

[ccsmod15]

Hi, thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline.
While we are not legal experts, we can provide some general information about running away. Since you are a minor, running away is considered a “status offense.” This means that you will not get arrested or go to jail, but if the police find you, they would have to bring you home. You parents can also file a runaway report with the police, and they could pursue legal action against anyone you stay with for “harboring a runaway.” Finally, you may not be able to enroll in school without a parent or legal guardian.
That being said, our priority is your safety. It sounds like you’ve already thought a lot about what documents you might need. It could be helpful to also think about where you might stay, what you would do for food or money, and what you might do if you end up in an unsafe situation.
If you do decide to leave home, or want to discuss other options, please reach out to us by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or online via chat at www.1800runaway.org. We want to make sure that you have a plan and a safe place to go. We are here for you 24/7 with support and resources. Best of luck with everything.

[Guest]

Hello NRS,
I am a 15 year old male and my mother has gone totally crazy throwing stuff of mine out and even snapping my phone in half. What are the consequences of if I were to go stay at a friends house for like a week or so and then come home? If the police located me what would the possible consequences of me running away cause? Would i be forced to move off of the property?

[ccsmod7]

Thanks so much for reaching out to us at NRS. It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated with your mom, and it’s understandable that you’d want some privacy and space right now.

We’re not legal experts, but in most states, running away is not a crime; it’s just a status offense. That means that if you leave home without your guardians’ permission and they file a runaway report with the police, the police would just bring you home. However, many jurisdictions have laws against “harboring a runaway”, so if you stay with anyone over 18, there could be legal consequences for them.

Have you tried talking to your mom about how you’re feeling, or asking her to give you permission to stay with a friend for a few days so you both can have some space? Sometimes it can be helpful to write out your thoughts in a letter, or asking a relative or counselor/therapist to help you talk to her so that the discussion stays calm and productive. At NRS, we offer a free conference call service where a volunteer stays on the line and mediates a conversation with parents. If you’d like to talk more about it or give it a try, our number is 1-800-786-2929 and we’re here for you 24/7.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

I am A 15-year-old planning to run away from home. Is there anywhere I can stay without getting a friend or girlfriend into trouble. My parents need a serious wake-up call to understanding that Im really not all that bad and how bad it could be what do I do... and would I get charged with anything for running away from home?

[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. You wouldn’t be charged for any serious crimes but you might face court dates and community service if your parents are on board with providing a punishment for you. You could try shelters which we can provide if you are interested.
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]

im 15 and want to run away can I

[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]

I am 15 and thinking about running away because I feel mentally abused by my stepmother. I have a place to stay and get a job. If I am found what would happen

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,

Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. You do not deserve to be mentally abused, that is unacceptable. If you would like to make an abuse report you could call The Child help hotline at 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes making reports can be scary if you would like our help you can always give us a call.
You mentioned wanting to leave and what could happen, we are not legal experts but we do have general knowledge of the laws. If you were to leave home without permission you could be considered as a runaway. If the police found you they would most likely bring you home. Also whoever you would be staying with could potentially be in trouble for “harboring a runaway. If you ever feel like you are in danger please call 911.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and provide support. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 15 and feel like running away I do have a loving and catering family but I just to be my self and I have the money to get from Michigan to houston and have a friends house but I just want to be myself and live my life as me

[ccsmod5]

Hi, thank you for your message. It sounds like you aren’t able to be yourself around your family, which can be exhausting and frustrating. We aren’t certain what you mean by being yourself, but it could be a possibility to talk with your family about how you’ve been feeling and discuss how they can make you feel more supported in your identity. You mention that you feel like running away and have enough funds to get from Michigan to Houston. It’s great that you’re thinking about your options and planning. If you are serious about leaving, your safety is our top priority. You might want to consider the following:

1) Where you’ll get money—it’s awesome that you have saved up funds to get to Houston. You may also want to consider the money that you would need for food, housing, medicine, and things you need to survive.
2) Who you’ll stay with—friend, family, emergency shelter, and what you would do if your living situation didn’t work out
3) What you’d do in a dangerous situation—running away could put you at a higher risk of being sexually or physically assaulted and it’s important to think of a safety plan

If you have further questions or want to speak more specifically about your situation, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929. Stay strong and stay safe!

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 15 , want to run away but to somewhere that is safe , I'm from UK , it has nothing to do with my parents or anyway I have been treated I just feel severely depressed because of my school life which is why I dropped out and don't know what to do.

[ccsmod0]

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.

[Guest]

I'm 14 and everything at my house is going crazy, I ran away once and my gaurdian said she dont care if I do it again. what should i do? I dont know where to go but my friends mother said she wouldnt mind if i come over

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your mom’s permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your mom. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Hello. I'm 15 and I don't know how much longer I can last here.My older sister is abusive and my mom gets mad at me if I defend myself. My mom never listens to the back story and she invalidates my emotions. She makes fun of me for cutting myself and wanting to die and I don't know how much time I have left before I finally kill myself. I want to run away to my former step dad's place and I have about $84 saved up to get away (I know it's nothing). I feel like I'm living with strangers. The only reason I'm alive is because my boyfriend and my step dad.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: Hello, I'm 15

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

From everything that you have been going through at home with your parent’s it took a lot of courage for you to reach out. We appreciate you sharing your feelings about the situation. Well done. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed and or thinking about harming yourself. 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.
For depression or suicidal thoughts you might consider contacting the National Suicide and Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Again you do not deserve to be abused physically, emotionally etc.
It is not your fault that this is happening. You cannot control what others choose to do.
Seeking help is an option available to you.

To report any abusive treatment there is 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. We are limited as to how we can help in this type of forum.

If you would like to talk more in detail please call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in.

Be safe,
NRS