Run away to Maine for safety

[Guest]

I read that runaway laws are different for the state of maine. How does this work if someone from another state were to run away to live in maine? Could they be sent back to home state? 16 yrs old from WI.

[ccsmod7]

Thank you for reaching out, it sounds like you have been searching for information on your own which is great. It is important to gather all of the possible information before making a big decision. We know how difficult it can be to reach out for help especially during tough times, so we appreciate you contacting us.

When someone runs away one of the first things parents or guardians do is call the police and file a runaway report for the minor. Even if you were to cross state borders, you would be pursued according to the law where those parents or guardians filed the runaway report, so it would be better for you to take into consideration what the laws look like in the state where you live if you believe a runaway report might be made for you. In most cases, runaways would be sent back to their homes.

If you do decide to runaway we would encourage you giving us a call or chatting with us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org we can help you talk through what decisions you may need to take and the nearest shelters to you if you need them. If you had more questions general or legal we can also help you with providing a general legal aid resource who could better answer your questions.

We are here to support you as best we can and wish you luck in your situation!