Wanna runaway at 17, but would my boyfriend get in trouble?

[Unregistered]

I've been struggling to deal with things at home, and was worried for my mental health when I seen that according to Michigan law, once I turn 17, the police wont accept a runaway report from my mum. I really wanna be able to just leave this living hell behind me, but I don't want to risk getting my boyfriend in trouble. He lives in Florida and is in his early 20's, and he said if we knew for sure he wouldn't get in trouble for it, he'd let me move in with him. I know it may seem weird or something, but there's been times where I was at such a low point, I wanted to die, but he helped me remember why I'm fighting. I don't wanna cause him to get in trouble, so please, respond as soon as possible. Thank you

[ccsmod3]

Re: Wanna runaway at 17, but would my boyfriend get in trouble?

Hello and thanks for reaching out on our online forum. We’re sorry you’ve been struggling to deal with things at home. Having mental health concerns on top of that doesn’t sound like it would make things any easier. We aren’t legal experts, but do recognize some police departments view 17 as more of a gray area. It sounds like you’ve done some research on your own and if you haven’t yet contacted your local police department that might help with a more direct answer.

You mentioned moving out of state with your older boyfriend which may change the situation. Crossing state lines with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or age of consent laws (if you are sexually active) are common legal risks associated with an out of state or relationship age difference. Please keep in mind we aren’t here to judge you, but do care about your safety. You mentioned wanting to die at times so it does seem like you’re at a breaking point and we’d like to help you as best we can. If you do begin feeling suicidal there is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s You Matter for support. You can check them out here: http://www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. We are here to listen and provide support too of course and encourage you to reach out to us directly for further assistance.

Good luck!

[Unregistered]

Hello and thanks for reaching out on our online forum. We’re sorry you’ve been struggling to deal with things at home. Having mental health concerns on top of that doesn’t sound like it would make things any easier. We aren’t legal experts, but do recognize some police departments view 17 as more of a gray area. It sounds like you’ve done some research on your own and if you haven’t yet contacted your local police department that might help with a more direct answer.

You mentioned moving out of state with your older boyfriend which may change the situation. Crossing state lines with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or age of consent laws (if you are sexually active) are common legal risks associated with an out of state or relationship age difference. Please keep in mind we aren’t here to judge you, but do care about your safety. You mentioned wanting to die at times so it does seem like you’re at a breaking point and we’d like to help you as best we can. If you do begin feeling suicidal there is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s You Matter for support. You can check them out here: http://www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. We are here to listen and provide support too of course and encourage you to reach out to us directly for further assistance.

Good luck!

Thank you for your help, and moving in with him would be a last option, at least until I'm 18, until then I'm hoping I'll be able to find a long term program at a shelter or something, just so I can finish high school and be a legal adult. I really would rather this option since it'd be easier to keep in touch with. My family. Even though they make my life a living hell, I can't stop caring about and loving them. I wish I could because it'd make these feelings much easier to deal with. If you know of any shelters in Wayne county that has a minor's long term program, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd tell me of them.
Again, thanks for all your help

[ccsmod3]

Re:

Hello again,

We’re glad we could be of help. We did find a few shelters located in Wayne County/Detroit metro area specifically for minors and some offer transitional living programs as well. We can also help connect you to these resources if you’d like to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Some of the agencies offer transitional living and other support programs as well. Oftentimes transitional living programs are offered to 18-21 year-olds; however, some agencies take 16 or 17 year-olds with parental consent.

Detroit, MI:

Matrix Off The Streets youth homeless shelter

http://www.matrixhumanservices.org/programs/offthestreets/

(313) 873-0678

Alternatives for Girls (We don’t want to assume your gender, but this may be an option if you are female.)

https://alternativesforgirls.org/

(313) 361-4000 ext. 295

Inkster, MI:

The Starfish Family Services Crisis Shelter

http://www.starfishonline.org/crisiscenter.html

(313) 361-4000 ext. 295

Royal Oak, MI (Oakland County):

Common Ground Shelter for Runaway Youth
248-547-2260

http://www.mhweb.org/oakland/common.htm

Hopefully these resources are helpful and good luck!

[Unregistered]

RE:

Hello again,

We’re glad we could be of help. We did find a few shelters located in Wayne County/Detroit metro area specifically for minors and some offer transitional living programs as well. We can also help connect you to these resources if you’d like to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Some of the agencies offer transitional living and other support programs as well. Oftentimes transitional living programs are offered to 18-21 year-olds; however, some agencies take 16 or 17 year-olds with parental consent.

Detroit, MI:

Matrix Off The Streets youth homeless shelter

http://www.matrixhumanservices.org/programs/offthestreets/

(313) 873-0678

Alternatives for Girls (We don’t want to assume your gender, but this may be an option if you are female.)

https://alternativesforgirls.org/

(313) 361-4000 ext. 295

Inkster, MI:

The Starfish Family Services Crisis Shelter

http://www.starfishonline.org/crisiscenter.html

(313) 361-4000 ext. 295

Royal Oak, MI (Oakland County):

Common Ground Shelter for Runaway Youth
248-547-2260

http://www.mhweb.org/oakland/common.htm

Hopefully these resources are helpful and good luck!

My mum just recently threatened to kick me out. I don't have a phone that has a data plan, like I can only use it with wifi. I've already been to AFG, in August of last year, and my mum said they wouldn't let me come back for some unknown reason. So, I'm honestly terrified. My mum said that she'd give me my coat, boots, hat and gloves, then put me out on the porch and lock the door behind me, but when I said that, that would count as kicking me out, she said no because of two reasons. The first being that my aunt lives just down the street, but I also know that once I'm out with the door locked behind me, I'm out for good, and then also because my clothes wouldn't be out on the porch with me. So, please help. I mean, I'm gonna ask my few friends to see if they'd be able to help, and I'm gonna try and get myself as much time as possible, so that way I can try and gather together some money. I'm scared, please help

[ccsmod16]

RE: It's me, again...

Hi again,

If you have contacted NRS today through another means (for example, live chat, email or bulletin) for the same issue, it would be helpful to let us know that you have already contacted us. NRS understands it takes courage to reach out for help; therefore, we would like to minimize the need for you to repeat your situation and avoid offering you duplicate services.

It can’t feel good to hear your mom talking about putting you out on the porch, and we’re sorry that your home environment isn’t as supportive and loving as you deserve. We are not legal experts here, but what you are describing sounds like she is kicking you out. If you haven’t yet, you could try to contact your local non-emergency police number and describe the situation to them and ask them how they would handle that situation. Your mom has a legal obligation to provide shelter for you until you are 18, and if she does kick you out, you have the right to make an abuse report. That is also something you could ask the police about.
You are very smart to be thinking ahead about things such as how you will finish school if you have to leave home, finding money to use while you’re gone, and where you would stay. Reaching out to friends is a good idea. You also mentioned that your aunt lives close to you. Reaching out to her could be a good idea as well.

At this time we are limited in the responses we're able to provide via our forum, so unfortunately we will not be able to talk here any more. Please do call or chat to talk more specifically about your situation as there is always someone here 24/7. We could talk about your situation further, try to brainstorm more options, or listen if you just want to talk. Again, we are sorry that you are in this position and want you to remember that you don’t deserve this and there are people out there who care about you and want you to be safe. We hope this was of some help to you. Best of luck and we hope to hear from you soon.

Best,
NRS