Is it illegal to runaway when you're 14? what can happen?

[ccsmod5]

Re: I want to run away but im only 14.

Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. It's gotta be frustrating to try and get help and support and not find it when you need it. We'll try and help as best as you can.

You mentioned that you mom doesn't do anything. Is there anyone around you that knows about what's going on that DOES want to advocate for you and do something about it? We want you to feel supported, strengthened and like you have rights and options. Because the things he's doing to you and the way he's treating you is not okay. No one deserves to be treated like that.

And regardless of the length of your passage we want to be there for you. We want to hear you more and ask specific questions. Would you be willing to call us sometime? We're anonymous, confidential and available 24/7. If you can, call us at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We can work with you to figure out what's available in your area and how you can get more help.

We're here to listen, here to help.

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I need to get out of here......

Ok, here it goes.....
My parents are, in a word, tyrants. And not the kind where they 'just want what's best', no we are well past that. They chose my classes, they restrict me from EVERYTHING, until my life is literally nothing but school. Do you know how nuts that is?! I'm a week ahead because I ran out of things to do!!!!
My only friend is my pen-pal in an different state. She and her family are amazing, and I've been told that I am welcome there anytime. There's nothing holding me here, and I swear to you the only thing stopping me is my money situation.....

Please don't give me the whole 'your parents only care about you' bit. I'm taking a leap just typing this, I really don't want it to be for nothing.

[ccsmod8]

RE: Is it illegal to runaway when you're 14? what can happen?

Hello,
Thank you for writing into the National Runaway Safeline bulletin board, we are always here to help and here to listen to you and your needs. After reading about your situation it sounds like living with your parents is pretty difficult for you and you do not have a lot of freedom to do the things your own way. That must be really frustrating for you.
Unfortunately, here at the NRS we cannot tell you in definite terms on what would happen for someone to runaway at the age of 14. Laws on that specific subject vary from state to state, so our advice would be call your local non-emergency police number to get more information in regards to that subject. It sounds like you have given a lot of thought in to what you want to do in your situation; you have even been talking about maybe going to live with your pen-pal. How long have you been talking to her? Does she know about your plan to run away from your parents?
Thank you again for writing into the NRS bulletin board, we are always here to listen and here to help you with everything we can. You can also call into our 24hour hotline (1.800.RUNAWAY) for a more immediate response, as well as a connect to some resources that we might have on hand. Another service that we offer here at the NRS is our chat room which is offered from 4:30pm to 11:30pm/CST (www.1800RUNAWAY.org).

Look forward to talking with you and best of luck.

[Unregistered]

What will happen if I run away at age 15?

I want to know what would happen if I ran away at age 15? I live in pennsylvania and I dont turn 16 for another year yet - so I still have limited job choices and can't drive... I would not be planning on staying with anyone, but I would be planning on making my way to a different state by bus (maybe Virginia?) and then staying there as a homeless person until I can get my own house. Is there a legal age you have to be to rent an apartment? I have been thinking of every aspect lately, of my life and consequences from running away and everything. I need someone else's perspective. I haven't made up my mind, but I was just wondering all the things that are important, along with my other questions stated previously. Thank you

[ccsmod13]

What will happen if I run away at age 15?

Hello,

We're glad you contacted us at NRS. It sounds like you want to run away, but you're unsure if it's a smart decision, based on your limitations as a minor. It's clear you've put some thought into this decision and imagined many possible outcomes. Running away from home is a risk for any youth. So, considering your resources that are available to you, such as money to support yourself and eat, a safe place to stay, and support/assistance from friends and/or family can be crucial to your safety and well-being. We are not legal experts and cannot provide legal advice, but if you have legally-oriented questions you would like answered, you can call Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453.

It seems like you have some real concerns about leaving home, but perhaps you are equally concerned with staying. We want to support you in any way we can. We encourage you to continue reaching out to others, such as friends/family, health professionals, or a teacher/counselor at school in order to realistically discuss your options as a potential runaway and the resources you can use to improve your chances of staying safe. If you would like to talk about this further with us, please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY 24/7 or chat with us during the hours of 4:30-11:30 any day of the week by visiting www.1800runaway.org. We wish you the best of luck and please stay safe.

Sincerely,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I'm fourteen.

I have connections across the country already set up with a place for me to stay. They're expecting me to just be visiting and maybe I'll be overstaying my welcome but I need to be free from all the stress for a little bit. My mom has no idea, no idea at all. I would hitch hike and take a bus and walk and hitchhike some more but it would be worth it. Even worth death to be able to step forward and not have to look back. Where do cops look? If I leave the state but inform my mom that I'm traveling and will contact her later in the week then am I still a runaway? If I leave the state then can they still look for me?

[ccsmod4]

Is it illegal to runaway when you're 14? What can Happen?

Hi, thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.
It sounds like you are contemplating running away from home.
We understand that you may be going through a stressful time and that running away seems like a viable option but your safety is important so we hope that you will make safe decisions if you decide to leave. Have you exhausted all other options for help with your situation?

It is very considerate of you to think about a plan to contact your mom it may bring her some relief to know you are okay.
It is possible your mother could still have you reported as a runaway this would mean that you would be entered in National Crime and Information Center police data base (N.C.I.C.) and would be considered a runaway in every state. It's possible you could be picked up by the police and detained (held).
Does that make sense?

We hope that you will consider contacting NRS through our 24hr crisis line and speak with someone about your situation. You are free to explore options and go over your plan.
NRS is here to be supportive and provide you with a listening ear.
You contact us at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or you might opt to contact NRS via live chat via our website: www.1800Runaway.org
How does that sound?

Thank you again for contacting NRS and we hope to hear from you soon.
Take Care,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I need answers

I'm 14 years old I'm going to be a freshman. Not like you care cause the only thing you'd probably want is to put me in a f***ing mental hospital or counseling but I wanna runaway. Cops don't get it. We aren't the same people but we just wanna do the same f***ing thing but I don't want counseling I just want to move from this city there's so many bad memories here my parents don't like me but they put up with me but my mom hit me today I don't want my parents going to jail I just wanna leave that's all I'm asking but tell me since when has the right to hit a child been discipline I hate when adults say that you make me sick so I want to run away but I'm scared my families words hurt its like getting stabbed with a knife right in your heart but I'm sick of this ******** everything I ever believed in...love.family.all that is gone I despise myself for being the worst sister and daughter ever I'm sorry I let everyone down this isn't a suicide note its just me letting you know how I feel if you want to contact me just tell me I don't know how but I'll try if you want my number or email I'll give it to you if you have any ideas

[ccsmod9]

RE: I need answers.

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It was brave of you to share everything you're feeling. It sounds like living at home for you is really difficult. We're sorry to hear you're struggling. It sounds like you're planning on running away.

Running away at 14 is not necessarily illegal, but is considered a "status offense." This usually means that if the cops pick you up, they'll return you home. It also doesn't stay on your record past age 18. Because you're under the age of majority, which is 18 in most states, your parents do have the right to file a runaway report if you leave home without their permission. Do you have somewhere safe to go? We can help you brainstorm a safe place to go and other details. This might include going to a youth shelter; we have a large database of resources to help you out.

If you'd like to talk further, please consider contacting us by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We're available 24/7 on our confidential, anonymous Safeline. You can also chat with us from 4:30 to 11:30 pm Central time by going to www.1800runaway.org and clicking the red live chat button. We hope to hear from you soon.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Unregistered]

I want to run away

Im only 14, I hate living witn my mom and step dad. I met someone through a website that person is willing to help me run away and go live with that person. What will the consequences be ? I really do want to leave but I hardly know this person but I just want to get away from everyone and everything

[ccsmod3]

Re: I want to run away

Hello,

We're glad you reached out to us. We are sorry to hear your hate living with your mom and stepdad. It sounds like you are seriously considering running away and living with a person you met online. We are not here to judge you in any way or tell you what to do; however, there may be safety as well as legal concerns. You mentioned you hardly know this person and we aren't sure whether you've ever met them in person or not. As far as consequences, the laws typically fall on the adults helping a runaway rather than the runaway. We are not legal experts, but to our knowledge running away is considered just a status offense. So, even if your parents file you as a runaway and you are picked up, typically police will just take you back home.

It sounds like you would just like to get away from everyone and everything, so it might help to make a pros (reasons you want to leave) vs. cons (any concerns you have about leaving) list. We are here to talk to you further, so we hope you consider reaching out directly either through our Live Chat or by calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. Stay safe and good luck!

[kenzy223]

I want to run away

Hi I really want to run away from my house I done really get along with my family my sisyet and brother hate me and by that u mean like let's team up and kill me. I have never really got along with any one in my family my dad and u baitly talk he can get really mean and agresive to where he pens me down on thing and likes to spit on me and get in my face and intaganize me and my mom drives me insane I always seem to hurt her emotionally the most my parents are always fighting about me I don't have much friends and by friends I mean allies I don't really trust much people. I have add and adhd I also have anger problems. My anger problems are getting worse and I can bairly hold my self and since they have been getting worse I have been very distinct from every body it pretty much feels like I am slowly killing my self I can't be around my family much because they like to get in my face aND make me angry and antagonize me especially my sister and dad I have to share a room with my sister she is 17 and I am 13 she likes to punch and hit me and I let her because I am scared that if I do fight I will hurt here alot and honestly I know I can hurt her. I have planned out what wI'll happen and what I will do if I run away for a while now I don't have any houses I can go to but I do know places that I can hide out in aND I know some things I can do to get money without be seen or caught by the cops I have also considerd what will happen if I was caught by people on the street I am preary self dependent person and I have been working on my self defence and fighting skills and I also can run really fast but I also know that I can possibly be caught and I have some people that I can call if I do get in any sort of trouble if needed I also have been planning out some places I can go to I travel a lot so I know alot of places that I can go in lI've in sanjuan in CA

[ccsmod15]

RE: I want to run away

Hi,

We are sorry to hear you are going through such a difficult time with your family. You mentioned that your siblings team up on you and your father has spit on you. Do you currently feel safe? No one should ever feel physically unsafe in their home.

You stated that your parents fighting upset you and that you struggle with ADHD. It sounds like you have a lot going on. Do you have anyone you are able to talk to about your ADHD and anger management problems?

It sounds like you have thought about what your plan would be if you left home. We would be happy to talk further about everything going on. Feel free to give us a call or chat in between the hours of 4:30pm-11:30pm.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Unregistered]

idk what to do

i dont know what to do anymore,my parents threaten to hit me, i have trouble in school,and i don't get it i get in trouble constantly i have tried cutting but did not help i don't know what to do.

[ccsmod8]

RE: idk what to do

Hello there –

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline on our public bulletin board, we are more than happy to help you in your current situation. It sounds like you might be going through a lot right now and it must be very difficult for you if you’re thinking about running away. Can you tell us a little bit more about what is going on that is making you think like this? You’re very brave to reach out for some help in your situation. Just know that you're not alone. We are always here to listen and here to help in anyway that we can.

If you give us a call on our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) we could help you find resources in your area and could potentially help you brainstorm a solution to the issues you are having. We also have an online chat service available every night from 4:30-11:30PM CST that is available through our website (www.1800runaway.org). If you contact us and give us more information about your location and situation we would be more than happy to help you find resources.

Hope to hear from you soon!