I'm 17 and live in New York State, can I leave home?

[Unregistered]

I'm 17 years old and live in Utica, New York. Things are really rough with my mom and where we live, and there is a possibility I could be pregnant. I want to move to Rome and finish school there. Can I just leave home if I have somewhere to live? If my mom calls the cops can they come find me, and force me to come back? Even if I have somewhere to live and food to eat?

[ccsmod0]

re: I'm 17 and live in New York State, can I leave home?

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out today and asking you question here. It sounds like you’re going through a lot with your mom right now. It’s understandable that you’re thinking about leaving. It can be scary to be pregnant and to figure out how to move forward from there. It’s smart of you to reach out and ask these questions, so let’s see how we can help you out.

We aren’t legal experts here, but we are able to speak generally about this. If you decide to leave home at 17 without your mom’s permission, then your mom has the right to file a runaway report with the police. If the police take the report, then they could pick you up and bring you back home. It’s not illegal to be filed as a runaway, but you could be brought back home. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really matter if you have a safe place to go – you could still be brought back home. The reason for that is because your mom is legally responsible for anything that happens to you until you gain that right for yourself at 18.

Now, in some places across the United States, a 17 isn’t considered a legal adult, but the police wouldn’t bring them back as long as they are in a safe place. To find out if you live in a place like that, you can call your local police department and ask them.

We hope that this is a helpful start for you. If you’d like to talk more or have any other questions, please call or chat with us at 1800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm central time.

We look forward to your call or chat.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

[Guest]

Im 17 years old and i Live in New york city. I am citizen here, Can they force me to go back to my home country and can they make me come back home if i leave.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to ask your question. We’re sorry to hear that someone is trying to make you leave your home. We are not legal experts here at the National Runaway Safeline, but we are able to offer some general advice.

When you asked if they can force you back to your home country, are you asking about the U.S. government making you leave or about your parents taking you back to their home country? Regarding the government, if you are a U.S. citizen you usually cannot be deported to another country. If you were born in the U.S., you are a citizen from birth and your citizenship cannot be revoked. If you were born elsewhere and became a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process, you can only be deported in extremely rare circumstances. If you are concerned about that, you may wish to talk to a lawyer for advice.

Regarding your parents taking you out of the U.S., that can depend on your situation. It can depend on whether you are a dual citizen. We would need to know more about your specific circumstances to help you learn about your rights. If you were to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us a t 1800runaway.org we will be able to learn more about the situation and help connect you with the resources you need to determine your rights.

As for coming back home after you leave the U.S., it will also depend on your specific situation. Within the U.S., leaving home without the permission of your parents before you are a legal adult is not allowed and the police may return you to your parents. Leaving another country to come back to the U.S. is a more complicated situation and again will depend on your circumstances. Calling or chatting with us can help us help you.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

I am 17 and i am mentally, emotionally abused and i am medically neglected. I don't feel safe at home. I can't open up and talk to my parents with out them screaming and yelling at me and making me feel worthless do i have the right to leave home without having any legal issues?

[ccsmod2]

Hey There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time right now. Ideally home is where you feel safe and loved and we are sorry that is not the case. If you wish to file an abuse report you can always call Child Help at- 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes making a report can be scary if you would like our help you can call us at any time. You also have the right to call the police at any time if you do not feel safe.
We are not legal experts but we do have some knowledge of the laws. If you are a minor and decide to leave without permission your parents do have the right to file a runaway report. If the police do find you and find it safe for you to go home they will most likely return you home.
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 more please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide you with support. We wish you the best of luck!

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 17 and am in Syracuse,Ny can the police force me to go home if i runaway?

[ccsmod15]

Hi,
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 reaching out. 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.

While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission in New York. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parents may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home by the police. Also, those you stay with, may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law in your county, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.

Your safety and well-being is our main concern. 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'm 17 I live in Syracuse Ny
I get abuse in more then one way constantly being acussed of things that i don't do and i've been going through this for long enough i just want a way out without having any legal problems I dont want to wait if i wait even another day I believe i won't make it to see my 18th birthday I'm tired of this abuse i just need help and i dont know what to do My father is a drunk and my mother dosen't care

[ccsmod6]

Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out. It sounds like the situation at home is pretty unbearable right now and we’re sorry that you’re experiencing that sort of abuse. Given the information that you’ve shared, it’s completely understandable that you’re looking for a way out.
You mentioned not wanting any legal trouble. Speaking in general terms, running away is not typically a crime but rather a status offense. Should you leave home before turning 18, your parents would be able to file a runaway report. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer as a runaway, you would likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, any legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be charged with harboring a runaway.
It sounds like you’ve been experiencing abuse at home for a long time. In no way do you deserve that abuse and we’re sorry to hear it’s been happening. You’re entitled to make an abuse report if you choose. After an abuse report is made, social services will decide whether to take the case and then send somebody from Child Protective Services to investigate the home. If any danger to your safety is found, you would then be removed from your home and/or provided services. This would be one legal option you could try in order leave your home before turning 18.
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 Child Protective Services could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to Child Protective Services to make an abuse or neglect report please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
You mentioned that you’re worried that you won’t live to see your 18th birthday. Your safety is our top priority. Your life has value. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. If you are considering suicide, the National Suicide Hotline could be a good resource for you. You can check them out at www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help and support any time. You do not have to face this alone.
If you’d like to talk in more detail, please reach out to 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or click on the chat button on our website at www.1800runaway.org. We are here to talk 24/7.
Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hi, im 17... i feel as if my parents resent me and don't want me around, every time i make a mistake i get yelled at and i don't want to live here anymore... if i runaway what would happen? would i go to jail?

[ccsmod3]

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We appreciate you reaching out and sharing what has been going on. It sounds like your parents are making you feel like running away. We are here for you 24/7.

There are a lot of things to consider before running away. We are not legal experts and depending on the state, 18 is the "age of majority," or the age at which state residents are legally considered adults. In most states, you can’t leave home without your guardian’s permission. If you leave home without permission, your parents/legal guardian could report you as a runaway to the police.

Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means police would notify your legal guardian if you are found. It would be up to your guardian if you are able to stay or need to return home. Whoever you stay with could be at risk of being charged with harboring a runaway.

We work best when we can have a conversation with you. We would recommend calling us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or by Live Chat, we are here 24/7.

Please call or chat soon at our website www.1800runaway.org.

National Runaway Safeline