Runaway 17-18 Alabama

[Unregistered]

I am living with my mom and her bf tthey are very controlling and her bf is turning into someone who wants to control me working and getting my own life on the road. Her bf who is a sheriff says that I'm not an adult till 19 here. We just moved here. If I ran away at 18 or 17 and moved to Florida would the police come after me? They would not emancipate me or anything. Is there any options? I am 17 years of age.

[ccsmod7]

Re: Runaway 17-18 Alabama

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you’re in a stressful situation feeling as if your mom’s boyfriend is trying to control you. It’s good that you are being resourceful and trying to educate yourself on your rights and figure out what your options are.

It is true that the legal age of adulthood in Alabama is 19, however that doesn’t necessarily mean for certain that you can’t leave home until that age. It might be worth contacting your police non-emergency line to find out what your local laws are where you live. You should be able to ask the police questions on their non-emergency line without disclosing your name or address. If you don’t feel comfortable calling out to the police yourself, especially with the close connection your mom’s boyfriend may have with them, you can definitely call our hotline and we can call on your behalf.

It’s possible that because the age of adulthood in your state is 19, that your mom may still be legally responsible for you until you are that age and have a say on where you live. If you leave home before you are legally allowed to, your mom could file you as a runaway and the police would be authorized to return you home, regardless of whether you leave the state. Runaway cases tend to be handled how the police district of where you leave from handles such cases. It’s unlikely that Alabama police would follow you to Florida, but because runaway reports are nationwide, a Florida cop would only need to run your name to see that you’ve been reported as a runaway.

All that being said, running away isn’t a criminal offense, if you don’t have a history of breaking the law and you don’t do anything illegal while you are away from home, it’s likely the police would return you home without charging you with anything. Unfortunately, anyone you stay with could be charged with harboring a runaway if you are reported as one by your mom.

Another resource that you might be able to look into if you’re looking for a safe place to go and talk to someone, would be to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. They are usually places like designated agencies, shelters, fire stations, libraries, etc. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need of a safe place to stay.

We would love to talk with you in more detail about your situation. We are here to listen and talk through some of the options you have in mind. We aren’t here to tell you what to do, but merely be a resource you can turn to when things are rough at home. We’re here 24/7 by phone and we have online chat in the evenings.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I have a 17 year old that wants more liberty than he gets at home. I think he's planning to leave. Can we let him leave and stay gone? Or can we make him stay?

[ccsmod10]

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are here to listen and help as best as we can. It sounds like you are going through a really tough time not having your youth home and being unsure of their safety. They are lucky to have someone that cares so much about them.

One of the first options that can be important to explore is contacting your local law enforcement to file a runaway report. We are not legal experts here, but typically it is not illegal to runaway or leave home without permission. However, if a runaway report is filed, police that encounter a runaway youth will work to return them home when found. Keep in mind though, that the efforts made to search for runaway youth can vary from state to state or even within districts. Often it is up to the parents to advocate for themselves and keep track of the steps taken to find their youth.

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).
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I know a 17 year old runaway that has ran away from social services in Alabama and came to Virginia to be with family. Can anything be done about that?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen.
It seems like you are concerned about this youth, which shows you are a supportive person. Usually their legal guardian would need to report them as a runaway to the local police. You can also call your local police and ask them what your options are.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any more questions please call us at 1800-786-2929.
NRS

[Guest]

There is a 17 year old girl with verbally and even physically abusive parents. She wants to do anything to out of the house but she doesn't seem to have any option. What can I advise her to do to let her leave the house without getting arrested or sent to some sort of shelter. If she ran away on her own volition and stayed with me, would I be charged for harboring a runaway or no? Just need advice, thank you.

[ccsmod3]

Thanks for contacting us at National Runaway Safeline! Your willingness to support this young person means a lot.

When faced with verbally and/or physically abusive caregivers, a good place to start is with your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency. A report can be filed by the youth, yourself, or anyone else aware of the abuse, prompting an investigation. This could help her with her present situation, and in potentially giving you the opportunity to let her stay with you, without legal ramifications.

Beyond the above, if she were to leave her house, it is possible that she'd be taken into police custody at any point while underage, or have to utilize shelter services. These are things that are fairly hard to predict, though she likely wouldn't be sent to a shelter and required to stay. And if she stayed with you, depending on the state you live in, it's also possible that you could face legal consequences. You can refer to this report on laws affecting unaccompanied youth by state here: https://nlchp.org/wp-content/uploads...out_a_Home.pdf

If you'd like any additional information, please feel free to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or by live chat through our website at www.1800runaway.org. We're available 24/7, and are always happy to help.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

Hi I am 17 and I the states care in Alabama. Neither of my parents have custody or rights over me. If I runnaway what would they be able to do if they found me or the person I was with?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS. It sounds like you considering leaving home and you want to know more about the possible consequences. While we are not legal experts we can speak generally on this. The age of majority in Alabama is 19 which is usually the age you are able to leave home without permission from your legal guardians. You mentioned you live with your parents but they do not have guardianship rights. Whoever your legal guardian is would likely have final say in where you live until you are a legal adult. 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. There is not a universal way that police handle runaway reports and it can vary by state and even county. You can call the local police department to find more specific answers. If you call our hotline or use our live chat services, we are happy to refer you to legal aid as well. A legal expert could better answer your questions about this situation.

We hope this information is helpful. If you would like to talk more in detail about your situation, please don't hesitate to reach out again by phone or through live chat. 1-800-786-2929; 1800runaway.org

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello, I’m 17 and have a verbally abusive mother and a sometimes physical step father. They won’t let me get a job, or let me drive a car, I live in Alabama, is there some way that I can safely go to my friend in Ohio? I know I can’t go to the police and cps was no help. I want to get my brother out of here.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 19 (since the age of majority is 19 in Alabama, unlike most of the US where it is 1. The easiest way to leave home is with your parent's permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services. You mention CPS hasn't been of help yet, but sometimes it may take multiple detailed reports for them to take the matter more seriously. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In Alabana you need to be at least 18 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Just so you know, if you do leave home without permission your mom could file a runaway report on you and anyone you stay with could be accused of harboring a runaway, which is a crime. Things get even more complicated legally if you cross state lines.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Perhaps there are other options we can discuss, or ways we can help you figure out what your next best step is. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). You can also reach us via chat at www.1800runaway.org.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I am a 16 year old girl and live in Alabama. My family is very abusive and I was planning on leaving as soon as I turned 18 (and if the abuse grew worse just before I turned 1 I was recently informed by a friend that the age teenagers become adults in Alabama is 19 and not 18.

I have been struggling with depression, and I broke down crying when they told me. I need a way to get out of this situation (I cannot contact CPS because the abuse is Mental and not very physical and if they don't take me away I'm afraid of what will happen)

Is there a way to force emancipation, or get someone to adopt you by force? I do not want to ruin my life by running away before becoming of legal age, and I'm not sure who to turn too.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We are so sorry to hear that the situation at home with your family has been so difficult. It is never ok for anyone to abuse you; you deserve to live in a space where you feel safe. It sounds like you are concerned about having to stay with your family and have questions about emancipation and/or adoption. We are not legal experts, but we can share general information that may help you decide your next steps.

The rules for emancipation, including at what age and who can apply, can vary from state to state. From what we understand, you may not be able to apply for emancipation until the age of 18. Organizations like Legal Services Corp of Alabama, available at 877.393.2333, can provide more information on the steps you would need to take to begin the process, and whether you can begin the process as you approach 18 years of age. Regarding adoption, that also depends on your state. Organizations like Legal Services Alabama, available at 1.866.456.4995, may be able to provide free or low-cost assistance and help you navigate the process of having someone other than your parent or legal guardian retain custody of you. Another option is reaching out to the Alabama Department of Human Resources at 334.242.1310, to get more information on custody and whether adoption is an option in your case. Please feel free to give us a call if you would like to discuss your options, or even if you just want someone to talk to.

We cannot tell you what to do, but we will do our best to help you explore your options and figure out your next steps. You can reach us 24/7 by phone at 1.800.RUNAWAY (786.2929) or via chat by visiting our website at www.1800runaway.org and clicking on the Chat button. We are here to listen, here to help. Stay safe!
-NRS

[Guest]

I have a 16 year old step daughter who has been told numerous times to come home from her grandmothers house and she hasn’t done it. Can we file a runaway report?

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are here to listen and help as best as we can. It sounds like you are going through a really tough time not having your youth home. They are lucky to have someone that cares so much about them.

One of the first options that can be important to explore is contacting your local law enforcement to file a runaway report. Any youth who is living somewhere without the permission of a legal guardian can be reported as a runaway. We are not legal experts here, but typically it is not illegal to runaway or leave home without permission. However, if a runaway report is filed, police that encounter a runaway youth will work to return them home when found. The local police department's non-emergency line will be able to provide more information regarding making the report.

During a time like this, it can be important to remember your own self-care. Taking care of yourself and feeling heard can make an overwhelming situation more manageable. You can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY to talk or find additional resources.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

hello, im 17 and in partial custody of the state in AL. (dhr) but my grandmother was recently given partial custodial rights as far as medical requirements and other needs. if i were to leave without her consent to live with someone else, what would be done if she were to contact authorities as in dhr or police department, reporting me missing?!

[ccsmod4]

Hi there,

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 sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there are some things that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on what could possibly happen.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
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.
We hope to hear from you soon!

Be safe and well,

NRS

[Guest]

I am a 17 year old and my mother is extremely emotionally abusive. I only have 9 months left to go until I am 18 but I don't know if I can hang on for that long. I want to run away and live with other people but I don't want to be taken back to my mother, because it will be 10 times worse for me. I am also worried that the people I stay with could get in trouble if my mom were to call the cops, which she said she would do if I did run. I live in Alabama but the people I could stay with live in different states. If the cops either don't look for me or don't find me, would I be free? Would the cops check my social medias to try and track me down?

[ccsmod10]

We're glad you're reaching out for support and thinking through what the right choice is for you. In the state of Alabama, the age of majority (the age at which you are legally allowed to live on your own) is 19. Which means that if you do choose to run away and stay elsewhere, your mom would be able to file a runaway report, and law enforcement would investigate places it's likely you would be (friend's, extended family, etc.). In our experience, it is often the case that the police will bring you back to your mom's, even if it isn't the 'right' place for you to be. Whomever you are staying with could also be charged with harboring a runaway, which is a misdemeanor they could pay a fine or serve jail time for potentially.

It sounds like you've been experiencing emotional abuse from your mom for a long time, and are ready to be away from it. It's absolutely valid to feel that way, and sometimes running away is the choice that works for people. We just want you to take whatever action you take safely, and to plan ahead for what might happen after.

It sounds like your home environment has been really stressful. If you want someone to talk to about what's been going on, for support or to vent, we're here 24/7 to live chat (1800runaway.org) or talk on the phone (1-800-RUNAWAY). You could also try NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline (1-800-950-NAMI or nami.org) if you feel like you want to make more time and space for your own mental health. You are worth it, and don't have to be in this experience alone.

[Guest]

My boyfriend is 17 living in the state of Florida but has been dealing with physical, mental, and emotional abuse by both parents of his household. Neither parents are his biological parents as he was adopted. His dad told him today that he needed to get his mental illness together or leave the house this week and he's wanting to come stay with me. I live in Alabama. Would this cause trouble for me, my guardian or him?

[ccsmod15]

Hello,



Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like your boyfriend is in a really difficult situation and he’s lucky to have someone like you.



If your boyfriend leaves home to come to stay with you then his parents would have the option to file a runaway report, but it sounds like they might not be doing that as they are telling him to leave. The other legal complication would be that your guardian could be charged with harboring a runaway, even if his parents don’t file that report. Since he would be crossing state lines it’s very hard to say how the legal consequences would play out. We are not legal experts here so unfortunately, we can’t really be more specific.



We encourage you to reach out to us over call (1-800-786-2929) or chat (https://www.1800runaway.org/) so we can provide more detailed assistance.



Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 17 but will be 18 next month my PO (probation officer) said that if you runaway at 17+ the police won't look for you is this true?

[ccsmod16]

Thank you for reaching out to us at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are happy to help you and provide you with support during this time.

It is our understanding that if you run away as a 17 year old, you would be considered a minor and therefore, you could be reported as a runaway. The police may look for you if you are reported as a runaway. Your parole officer likely has more updated information on this topic.

If you would like more resources to answer any other questions you might have, don’t hesitate to reach out to us over chat through our website (www.1800runaway.org) or over the phone through our 24 hour hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY).

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We are here 24/7 and have someone available to talk.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

so i recently moved in with my mom in alabama but i used to live in mississippi with my grandparents and i want to go back to mississippi because my mom and step dad are mentaly abusive and hes threw me on the table and had a fight with me and threaten to knock my tetth out of my mouth and threaten to throw me through a wall and i want to go back to mississippi. if i run away can i be charged with anything if i run away at 17

[ccsmod3]

Hi there, thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you are wanting to go back to live with your grandparents because of the abuse you are experiencing. You do not deserve to be treated this way. If you are interested, you can report the abuse to child protective services and they may intervene to help get you to a safer place. Running away is what’s called a status offense, meaning it is only illegal because you are a minor. In Alabama, the age of majority is 19, so anything under 19 is when it would be considered a status offense to run away. An option would be to talk with your grandparents about how you are currently being treated and see if they can help with getting you to go back to them, like with talking to your mom.
If you would like to discuss this more with us, please call our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat us online at 1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm 14 years old and my mom and her bf smoke weed and drink all day they yell at me and call me out my name if I was to run away would that be wrong because I don't feel safe at home they forces me to clean up afther them and he has put his hands on me multiple times when I was younger I watched him beat on my mom he is felony but when CPS comes around she makes my lil sister lie to them for they wouldn't take us but I don't wanna stay here no more

[ccsmod16]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), we are so glad that you did. It sounds like you are dealing with a really stressful situation at home, between your mom and her boyfriend's substance abuse and your living in fear that her boyfriend might harm your mom, your sister or you. We understand how scary this situation can be and your eagerness to run away.

Running away might sound like your only option at the moment, but it can be a very scary and isolating process. We work best with people if we can have a conversation with them, so we can better understand the situation and explore options or create a safety plan together. We urge you to reach out via chat through this website, or on our phone hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We are here to help 24/7 and we really hope to hear from you very soon.

Sincerely,

NRS