A friend of mine is wanting to run.

[Guest]

Aye, I just got a message from my friend saying that he is about to leave his home with a backpack and bicycle and is planning to travel over to me as I am in the state right next to him.

He's in a bad situation with his dad and older brother abusing him physically and mentally.
My mother has said that my friend is welcome to show up here, but that she has warned him that she is legally required to call his parents once he shows up here.

My friend is desperate to know if he can get here without his parents coming for him while not putting my mother under legal restraints.

Please, if there is anything you can offer information wise, I'd be happy to hear.
And yes, both my friend and I are minors.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your friend is in a really hard situation but we're glad he has people like you and your mom looking out for him. We are not legal experts, but if his parents file a runaway report, he could be returned home. There could also be those legal consequences for your mom for what is called harboring a minor. The best way to know how the police would react would be to contact them directly and ask how they handle runaway reports as every department may handle them differently and also handle specific cases differently, such as if they are 17 or of there is abuse in the home.

You can also let him know that he has the right to report the abuse and that could change the outcome of him being returned home as well. He can reach out to Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 to ask questions about reporting and ask what things might look like before and after a report is made.

If you need help finding the number for his local police or want to walk through reporting or other options, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929.

Best,

NRS