Legal trouble

[Guest]

If a 14 year old runs away, what legal trouble could they get into once they turn 18 (cali to ohio)

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

If you do opt to leave your home your parents/guardians can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if a runaway report is filed and the authorities do locate you, you will most likely be returned home. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor.

It’s important to consider all the possibilities that can occur if you leave home. You will need to plan out how you will cover basic necessities like travel, food, clothing, etc. If you have a place to go in mind, it’s good to see what the expectations of the living arrangement will be like; rules, the amount of time you’re allowed to stay, if you’re expected to contribute financially, etc. This can all influence your decision to leave.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS