im 15 and wanting to run away

[ccsmod5]

re: I need help

Hey there,

Thank you for being able to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline, it seems like you are going through a pretty tough time at this point in your life and we want you to know that we are here to listen and to help in the best way that we can. From what you shared it sounds like you are looking for some legal advice as to how to go about transferring guardianship.

We want to start off by letting you know that we are not legal experts here which means that we would not be able to give you any type of legal advice and would not want to give you any wrong information. If you would want to know more about what you can do legally, we would encourage you to reach out to a legal aid and ask some general questions about your situation. If you do not know how to reach out to a legal aid, please feel free to give us a call and we would be able to look up some resources in your area.

We hope that we were able to let you know a little more about what we do and explain our services. We want you to know that our lines are open 24/7 and we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have a live chat program that is available every day from 4:30 PM until 11:30 PM CST. We wish you the best of luck and hope to hear from you soon.

Stay strong,

NRS

I need help

hi, I'm 15 and my mother is emotionally abusive and I need to get out. my only opinion is to transfer guardians but I know that she won't agree so we would have to go to court but I have no idea how to go about that

[ccsmod13]

re: my friend's son wants to run away

Hello. Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It seems that your friend’s son is currently in a difficult situation at home and that you are being supportive by offering to help. We are glad that you reached out to us. We will try to help as best as we can.

We aren’t legal experts, but we can speak in general terms of what helping a runaway youth could legally imply. Generally, if minor leaves home without consent, the parents have the right to make a runaway report with the police. If the police locate minor, they may take minor back home or contact child protective services if they believe minor’s safety is at risk. Parents also have to right to charge any individuals that might have housed or helped minor runaway under the harboring runaway laws. Legal consequences for harboring a runaway differ from state to state and could range from fines to possible jail time. You can contact your local police department and ask them in general terms, without giving any personal information, what legal consequences may result for helping your friend’s son.

In reference to any alternative living arrangements, which include shelters, family members, or friend outside the home with whom minor can stay, a parent’s consent is also necessary. This is an option that could be explored if your friend is willing to allow his son to stay with you.

We hope that some of this has been helpful. If you would like to talk further and explore more options, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have a live chat program that is available every day from 4:30 PM until 11:30 PM CST. We wish you the best of luck.

NRS

my friend's son wants tobrun away

Hello, my friend has a son who wants to run away. His father is a drunk ( shakes even though he drinks). The Son is 15, and wants out. He is a great kid, but is so use to going without things ( including having enough food). The family lives in Colorado, but I live in Texas.

I have thought about buying a bus ticket for the son to come out here, and picking him up at the bus station and transporting him to our local youth shelter. Giving the shelter my contact information as well as his father's information. With the hopes his father will allow him to stay with me. But I know his father can say he wants him to come back.

I know the conditions of his home are ok, but the father allows his son to drink as well as smoke weed. But the son wants a different life. He doesn't want to become his father. But I don't know what I can do to support him without legal ramifications.

My questions are:

Can I buy a ticket for a minor to cross state lines ( obviously his father will have to be aware of this trip to get him to the station)

2) can I transport a minor from the bus station to a youth shelter?

3) once the minor is at the shelter and reports his father encourages him to drink and smoke weed, is that a child safety concern?

4) whether or not if there are safety concerns, can a minor be sent back to his state of origins, once in a shelter in another state?

5) if the minor is to be sent back to their parents from another state who pays for the runaway to return home?

6) in either state ( CO & TX) can a minor at age 15 choose to live with either a family member or family friend regardless of what the minor guardian wishes?

7) at what age in CO & TX can a minor make lifestyle choices for themselves?

in cases of other runaways who end up in another state, can they choose not to return home, even if they are in a shelter and have an option of a safe place to live?

[ccsmod5]

re: What would happen?

Hey there,

Thank you for being able to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline, it seems like you have been going through a pretty tough time in your life and we want you to know that we are here to listen and to help in the best way that we can. From what you shared, it seems like you are ready to leave home, we want you to know that we are here to explore options with you.

We also want you to know that we are not legal experts here nor do we know what the child abuse laws in every state might be. In most agencies, if you were to show up to an adoption center or a foster home, the workers may contact your parents and let them know that you were at their facility. As I mentioned, we do not have accurate or firm answers because every agency has their own way of handling situation. If you would want more directive answers, we would encourage you to reach out to an adoption agency or foster home and ask some general questions.

We hope that we were able to let you know a little more about what we do and explain our services. We want you to know that our lines are open 24/7 and we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have a live chat program that is available every day from 4:30 PM until 11:30 PM CST. We wish you the best of luck and hope to hear from you soon.

Stay strong,

NRS

What would happen?

What would happen if I ran away and walked into a adoption center or foster care home and said I needed help without my parents knowing about anything?

[ccsmod1]

RE: I still need a way out!

We are so sorry to hear that your parents are not more supportive when you talk to them about your problems. It sounds like you have a lot going on in your life and it sounds pretty complicated. You mentioned feeling suicidal. Are you thinking about hurting yourself today? It takes a lot of strength to reach out for help. One resource that could be useful is the National Suicide Hotline, at 1-800-273-8255 or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. It sounds like you are very desperate for a way out of your situation, and we are here to help you in any way that we can. If you call us we can talk with you in depth and try to help you work out something to help you be able to move forward and get the support you need at home. Please do not hesitate to give us a call 24/7.

I still need a way out!

No, I don't know anyone in New York to go to but it's my dream to live there. I still need a way out that doesn't include needing my parents permission because I know they won't want to let me go or help me. They deny that i'm depressed and suicidal. They won't help me. If I walk into an adoption center or foster care home and say I need help without my parents permission what will happen?

I still need out!

Thank you for reaching out to us today. It sounds like you are having a tough time right now and it must be frustrating and upsetting to feel this way. It must be so hard to feel like your family and peers hate you and you don't deserve to feel that way.

You say you want to run to New York and walk into an adoption or foster care center. We are not legal experts about this but we could find you some resources for this. If your parents are your legal guardians, at age 15 they are legally responsible for you and would need to give their permission to live someplace else in Illinois or New York. If it is not going to be possible for you to live away from your parents, we can have a discussion about coping skills and we offer a youth/parent mediation phone call, if you think your parents would be open to that.

You said your parents won't let you go and because you are talking about foster care in New York is it because you don't know anyone there?

We want you to be safe no matter if you stay at home or leave. If it is possible for you to call us at 1800RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat online we can talk with you about what you are going through and try to help you to with your situation at home and at school.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

No, my parents think I'm fine with how my life is. I have tried to tell them that i'm tired and depressed and have panic attacks sometimes. I need a way out that I don't need there permission to do. I don't know anyone in New York to live with so I thought an adoption center or foster care home would be okay.
What would happen if I walked into an adoption center and just said that I need help?

[ccsmod0]

re: I'm 15 and need a way out!

Thank you for reaching out to us today. It sounds like you are having a tough time right now and it must be frustrating and upsetting to feel this way. It must be so hard to feel like your family and peers hate you and you don't deserve to feel that way.

You say you want to run to New York and walk into an adoption or foster care center. We are not legal experts about this but we could find you some resources for this. If your parents are your legal guardians, at age 15 they are legally responsible for you and would need to give their permission to live someplace else in Illinois or New York. If it is not going to be possible for you to live away from your parents, we can have a discussion about coping skills and we offer a youth/parent mediation phone call, if you think your parents would be open to that.

You said your parents won't let you go and because you are talking about foster care in New York is it because you don't know anyone there?

We want you to be safe no matter if you stay at home or leave. If it is possible for you to call us at 1800RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat online we can talk with you about what you are going through and try to help you to with your situation at home and at school.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

I'm 15 and need a way out!

I'm 15 and live in Illinois but my family and kids at school hate me. I want to runaway to New York for a fresh start but I know my parents won't let me go. I want to continue with my schooling and get a job to support myself. But if I run away can I walk into a foster care or adoption center and not let my parents know about anything?

[ccsmod8]

RE: 14 almost 15, and i want to run away (female).

Hey there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us today and allowing us to help you through this difficult time in your life. We can’t even imagine what you’re through, or the intensity of the way you must be feeling. We want to let you know that no one deserves to feel unloved, unwanted, and constantly misunderstood, and this includes you.

From your message, it seems like you’re getting forced to do things that you aren’t comfortable with as well as being accused and shamed for things that you do not deserve. It also sounds like you’ve been feeling alone and isolated, with a lack of genuine understanding from your mom. No one deserves to be treated that way at all, especially at home. We understand that you would like to live with your uncle, but are scared of your mom’s reaction. We want to let you know that its okay to leave a situation that is dampening your mental and emotional well-being. If you are concerned about your mom’s feelings regarding this decision/plan, it may be helpful to consider if and how you can communicate your desires to stay with a family member in way that could help her better understand you. Explore people in both your lives, including siblings and family members, that can help mediate this communication.
In addition, staying at another home who you feel safe and comfortable with (such as your uncle) for just some days at a time can help you get the space you need without the consequences of running away as well.

Understanding those who you feel safe with and can confide in outside of your family can also be helpful to keep in mind during times of need and great distress.

We also understand that you’ve been struggling with depressive symptoms and other personal feelings of distress. Connecting with others you feel close with, partaking in activities that provide you with an opposite feeling of what you are currently feeling, or letting your thoughts and emotions out through writing can be some things to try during these periods.
If you would like more information on basic legal implications on running away, referrals to shelters or counselors, or would just like to talk, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1(800)RUNAWAY (786-2929).
We hope that you take care

14 almost 15, and i want to run away (female)

I don't exactly like my family here. Yeah, they buy me stuff and all that. But from my mothers past, im afraid of her. She used to abuse my other siblings. But now she has done a full flip. She's a pastor now. And now she just forces religion down my throat and gets mad at me over the smallest of things. Shes called me a liar, rude, disrespectful, ect. and not long ago, she said that if she died, I wouldn't care. No one helps my depression around here, they just make it worse. I don't belong... so I wanna live with my uncle but im too scared. Im scared that my mom will put me down and make me feel bad like saying "you wanna leave me? am I that horrible of a mom? im just a screw up to you then, huh?" and she goes on and on, guilt tripping me.
I just wanna leave. I feel so alone. the only thing that comforts me is my internet friends, my boyfriend, and my uncle. I have been dealing with this for so many years. but Im honestly getting tired of it. im so scared...

[ccsmod1]

RE:i am 15 years old and i want to run awa

Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re so sorry to hear that your home situation has been so difficult. It is never ok for anyone to physically harm you, and we’re saddened to hear that you have not felt supported in making your home a safer place. We are not legal experts, but we will do our best to provide you information that can support you in whatever decision you make.

You mentioned running away as an option you might consider. Running away is not illegal, it is considered a status offense (similar to a traffic violation). If a youth leaves home without legal guardian consent, the legal guardian has the right to file a runaway report. Depending on where you live and how your local police department approaches runaway situations, that may involve the police actively heading out to search for you, or they may just take the report and that will be it. Generally, if the police do find you, they will return you to your home unless there is a safety concern. If they don’t know that there is a safety concern with you staying at home, they will return you to your home.

Another option you have to address your situation is to contact your local child protective services. It is absolutely your decision whether or not to report what has been going on at home. You didn’t say whether you have reported what has been going on at home, but it’s important that you understand that reporting everything that has been going on does not guarantee that you’ll be removed from your home. Each state approaches abuse reports differently, so the only way to know would be to speak with someone from protective services in your area. Whether you decide to contact anyone about what’s been going on at home is your decision.

You also have the option of reaching out to us. We are available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). If you’d like help in deciding what to do, we are here to help you weigh your options so that you can make the decision that’s best for you. If you’d like more information on filing a report, we’re here to support you and provide you as much information as you’d like in order for you to make a decision. Once again, we are so very sorry to hear that your situation at home has made you feel unsafe. You deserve to have a safe place to live, and we want you to know that we are here to support whatever decision you choose to make.

i am 15 years old and i want to run away

i live with a divorce mom and 3 brothers my dad was abusive so my parents got divorced and now mt brother abuse me when ever he wants and no one bother helping me all they say to me is to keep away form him .he almost broke my jaw no one did a thing he almost broke my neck bust still no one did a thing i really want to run away .my mom is not exaclly the good type of moms somethimes i think she deserve everything that has happened to her plzzzzzzzz i really need help someone plz help me.