I want to move back to Mexico

[stephanie]

My Dad bought me and my older brother to live with him in Colorado with his new wife when I was 7. We started school and it was all great, until he joined the Navy. Me and my stepmom don't really get along, and I can't tell her anything. My brother and I rarely visited our mom in Mexico, and since he left I haven't been there. It's almost been two years, and I've been told I won't go until I graduate. I'm now 17, and a sophomore in High school, but I'd much rather move to Mexico to be with my family. I don't like being alone so much, and I have two younger half sisters that 'd love to be with. they won't let me go anywhere and I'm pretty much trapped in my house. I have alot of friends in Mexico, and they have a really good school, but they wont listen to my reasons. I got in trouble at school, and they threatened to send me to Mexico, but once i told them I agreed they completely changed their minds and refused to. Ive talked to my mom,a nd she would love to have me move back, but my stepmom refuses. They don't even give me and explanation. Can I get in trouble for leaving to be with my mom without permission? Will they be able to extradite me back? Does that count as running away?

[ccsmod14]

Re: I want to move back to Mexico

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like things are really tough at home being away from some of your family, and not getting along with your stepmom. This has got to be really hard on you and we’re glad that you reached out to us.

It sounds like things in Colorado were going okay until your dad joined the Navy. It sounds like you would prefer living with your mom because you like Mexico, and you miss living there away from your stepmom. Given what you have shared, it’s understandable why you would want to go to back. We’re not legal experts here unfortunately, so we cannot say how that would work if you did decide to leave to go to your mom. If your mom shares custody of you, there’s a chance that it may be considered a civil matter between your parents. If you would like legal resources that may have more information on how this situation would be handled, you can call us and we can try to locate some near you.

We’re not here to tell you what you should or should not do. We’re just here to help keep you safe and help work through your options with you. There are a few things that can be helpful to think through when deciding whether or not to leave home:

Am I going to be gone awhile or coming back in a few days?
What would I do for money? Shelter? Food? Transportation?
Who can I depend on if I leave home?
Do I have a safe, solid plan?
What is my plan b in case my first plan doesn’t work?
What have I done to make things better at home?
What can I do to make things better at home?
Who have I reached out to make things better at home?

Please do call or chat with us if you would like to talk further. We’re here 24/7.

Best of luck,
NRS