17yo, 2 months from 18, pregnant, run away from KS to TX

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I am currently 17 years old, pregnant, and will be 18 in 2 months. I live in kansas and am considering leaving home to go to Texas. If I tell my parents where I'm at and that I'm safe can I get into trouble? If so what kind?

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Re: 17yo, 2 months from 18, pregnant, run away from KS to TX

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us at the National Runaway Switchboard. It looks like you have a lot going on right now. Are you looking forward to turning 18? It sounds like life has taken you to going to TX and we are sure you have your reasons. When it comes to moving certain parts of TX, laws surrounding a 17 year old turning 18 can be a bit looser than other states. It is not to say that your guardians are exempt from acting their own behalf to make a runaway report. If you run away from home they have a right to protect themselves from charges of neglect, if harm were to come to you.

Runaway is not illegal in most states. Rules for runaways vary from place to place. States like Texas, depending on the county and city respond to runaways with less vigor than other states. In Kansas, the age for when you become an adult is 18. This gives your parents the right to still report you as a runaway.

However, the police may or may not take the report and they do not always go looking for you. If you are found in TX, it is a matter of police discretion. If the police arrives where you are to check up on you and decides that you are safe, it comes down to their decision since you are close to turning 18. However, runaways are dealt with according to the state you are from and not always necessarily the state you are running to.

Are there alternatives to leaving? Have you sat down and spoken with your family about options? We are concerned for your safety and that of your child as well. We hope you can call us if you want to talk about a plan. We can be reached 24 hours a day at 1800RUNAWY. We are confidential and anonymous. We really want to help, even if it means just listening to you. We wish to give you some resources also. Good luck.

-NRS