17 and in Ohio. Am I Legally able to runaway?

[Guest]

I was wondering if I am able to run away, legally. I live with my parents, in Ohio, and I'm 17.

[ccsmod8]

Re: 17 and in Ohio. Am I Legally able to runaway?

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us at the National Runaway Switchboard. It sounds like you are trying to put legal issues to rest before you make a decision. We are not in the position to give expert legal advice because laws vary from state to state. However, most states recognize 18 as the age of majority. It is a time when you are often allowed to leave home without parental consent. Every state differs according to city and county also. The police in your area are most likely to give you a sense of the legality of the issue. Therefore, it is often best to get the facts straight from them. Are you able to call your local police at their non-emergency number to get the right answer? You may even want to get a second opinion as well.

Generally, running away is not illegal. There can be some consequences involving the filing of a runaway report by your parental guardian or perhaps the chances of someone getting charge with harboring a runaway. It is often left to police discretion for how they handle these issues locally. Do you have a plan for running away? How do you plan to survive if you choose to leave home? We can be a source of support and resources if you wish to call us here at 1800RUNAWAY. We are confidential and anonymous. We do not take names from you and do not track you. We can be reached from home or pay phone for free 24 hours a day. We hope we can be of service. We look forward to speaking with you soon. Good luck.

-NRS

[Unregistered]

Don't encourage

You're post sounds more like encouragement for runaways then prevention and help once it's occurred.

Consequences for running away from ohio are summarized below:

Being confronted and detained by law enforcement until either a) being returned to parents, b) held until parents show up to get her, or c) being taken to a juvenile holding facility pending evaluation (depending on how the encounter with law enforcement goes).

Not only that, but anyone HELPING or HIDING her, or assisting her in evading parental control can be charged with a crime, arrested, jailed, fined, etc.

So actually, the consequences to the people around her are likely to be MORE problematic than consequences to herself (which basically comes to being dragged back home).

[ccsmod7]

Re: Don't Encourage

Hello –

Thank you for reaching out with your thoughts and concerns. The National Runaway Safeline is a non-directive confidential crisis line. Our main concern is for the safety of our callers. So while we do try to support youth and provide a listening ear we are not here to give advice or tell them how to proceed one way or another.

You are correct there are laws out there for harboring a minor or runaway youth. We are not affiliated with the police or legal services so unfortunately we can’t give specifics on how the police in every state will handle certain situations. As was stated in the previous post “There can be some consequences involving the filing of a runaway report by your parental guardian or perhaps the chances of someone getting charged with harboring a runaway.”

We appreciate your interest in the National Runaway Safeline and if you have any further questions about our services feel free to contact us anytime at our 24 hour hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

[Guest]

Im 17 I won't be 18 till 2 months and 50 days I really want to leave because my "dad" is verbally abusive and my "mom" is drinking all the time and makes me do everything around the house I know some it is normal chores bit not the hole house....I could call the rittman police but I don't know what to ask exactly

[ccsmod7]

Reply to post #5

Hello there, thanks for reaching out. Sorry to hear that your dad is verbally abusive and your mom has a drinking problem and you have to do all of the household chores. That sounds like a really unfair, difficult situation. You do not deserve any type of abuse, rather, you so deserve to be treated with love and respect.

Seems like you want to leave about 3 and a half months before you turn 18. It is understandable that you are hesitant to call your local police. If you call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We can call out for you. If you are just unsure what questions you want to ask, you might ask about what they would do if you are a few months away from turning 18. And if those that you stay with risk getting in trouble.

You do have the right to report your dad’s verbal abuse and your mom’s drinking problem to child protective services (CPS). Sometimes alcohol abuse could be seen as neglect since you mentioned she is drinking all the time and makes you do all the house chores. Just so you know, CPS would have to investigate and find your home highly dangerous before they would remove you. To learn more about abuse reporting you might contact the expert child advocates at Child Help 1-800-422-4453.

We strongly encourage you to call or chat with us if you would like to have a conversation about your situation. We can provide support and help you brainstorm your options. And again, we can call out to the police for you if you would like.

Best wishes,

NRS

[Guest]

So I'm 17 and I've been trying to get out of my fathers house for almost a month thru courts, my grandma has filed emergency custody forms, but it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. My dad is an alcoholic and my step-mom literally treats me like I'm there to do her every bidding. I live in Ohio and my family is in Indiana is there any federal law that I'd be breaking? I already have a job set up and everything I just need to know if there's anything I need to worry about. I would contact the local police but I have no way of doing so because I'm not allowed to leave the house and my parents don't know I have a back-up phone.

[ccsmod7]

Thank you for reaching out today. It sounds like you are going through a tough time with both your father and stepmom, and it’s completely understandable that you would want to stay with other family. It sounds like you have given a lot of thought into leaving home (i.e. securing a job in Indiana), which is a great start/very mature.

To answer your question; Running away would not result in you breaking any federal laws. We are not legal experts, but want to inform you that because you are 17 and still considered a minor, if you were to leave home without your father’s permission, there is the chance he could file a runaway report. This means that police and look/return you home. You mentioned that you have a back-up phone, and we would be more than happy to speak more about your options over the phone. You can always reach us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or through our messaging service.

Good luck,

-NRS

[Guest]

Hey im 17 I live in a very hostile place my dad is physically and emotional abusive as we'll is my mom she also has a alcohol and weed addiction I have 4 younger siblings and my mom once left chemicals in my baby sisters room on purpose. They just kicked me out last night so I went to my friends house who they didn't approve and said they are sending police they didn't actually do it but I've begged to come home they say I'm no aloud to and that I'm no longer there son that I'm dead to them and that none of my other family want me I'm a youth leader and church and have tons of people who would take me my parents intend to put me in a home do I have to go homie and into a home if there are people to take me in

[ccsmod4]

Reply: Hey im 17 I live in a very hostile place

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.
It sounds like you are going through a difficult time.
You don't deserve to be abused in any way or by anyone.

You have the right to report any type of abuse to child protective services, being kicked out by your parents may be seen as neglect.
You are not to blame for what is happening.
It sounds like you are safe staying with a friend. It was nice of their family to take you in.

We are not legal experts which means we cannot give you legal advice, however you might consider contacting your local police department or child protective services to inquire about your situation.
This might be a consideration since for your safety and well-being of your siblings.
As we stated before if any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it.
Again we are not experts on the issue, but generally once it's been reported, social services will either decide whether or not to take the case and further investigate.

If they do take the case, they will send out someone from child protective services to do an investigation (interviewing people in the household) and from there they will decide the level of danger within the household. It generally ranges from no danger (the youth stays in the home, some services are given, and the case is closed), moderate danger (they will provide family services with possible temporary displacement) and high danger (they will remove the youth from the home and offer certain services).

If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

If you would like to speak more about your situation and the information in this post you are welcome to contact NRS at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org.
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 17. My grandmother has had gaurdianship lf me for 6 years. About 2 years ago her and her husband seperated. He was the income in her house. She only gets a dissability check. She can not afford me. Without the help of outside parties, we would have been homeless. She cant even afford to get me pads. I dont even know the last time ive been to a dentist. She doesnt really take care of me. I dont want to live here any longer than i have to. I need help.

[ccsmod6]

Thanks so much for reaching out to us tonight. It sounds like you’re going through a lot right now, and we commend you for being wise enough to reach out! From the sounds of things, it looks like you’re trying to explore all of your options and your frustrated with your grandmother’s financial situation. We’re really sorry to hear you’ve faced homelessness in the past- that must be really stressful and scary to deal with. 
 
Since school is going to be starting soon, something you can consider is talking with a school counselor about your financial situation at home. A school counselor might know of local resources within the area that could help both you and your grandmother. If possible, you could also consider getting a part time job. We know it can be hard to juggle both work and school, but perhaps some additional income might be able to help you cover the basics like feminine care products. 

Aside from staying with your grandmother, there are some other options that you have. First off, you can leave with guardian’s permission. If your grandma gave you permission to live somewhere else and you feel like it's a safe space, you can definitely do that. You can always try reaching out to another family member or a close friend to see if they would allow you to stay with them. If you want to leave somewhere and your grandma does not give you permission, one thing you can consider is calling out to your local police department and seeing if, at the age of 17, you can leave home without guardian permission. 

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are always available to talk through your situation and try and help you come up with the best, manageable plan of action. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number is 1-800-Runaway. Call anytime.

[Guest]

I'm 17 I just got a job and I live with my parents. They have problems with my boyfriend and they have been trying to force me into a corner and keeping me there. They are trying to control my love life and it is making me depressed and suicidal. I have always wanted to move out of my house but they just recently have become super controlling when it comes to this new boyfriend. I know that they're my parents and I am only a 17 year old girl but I don't want to live in a home where I can't talk about my problems and where they believe I don't have any problems that my life is great and that I'm just looking for the attention. I don't know what to do. I want to run away with my boyfriend but I want to have a place to live and have a relationship with my family. I need guidance I don't want to lose my boyfriend or my family but they are both pulling me back and forth.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you have been going through such a tough time, but we are here to help you and support you in any way we can. We want you to know that you are worth it and that there is hope for you. That sounds so hurtful to feel that you can’t talk about your problems and to be pulled back and forth between and by your family and your boyfriend.

If you haven’t already, you could consider reaching out to a trusted adult, family member, or teacher, counselor, or worker at your school for help and support. You could also consider having one of these people help you talk to your family about how you’ve been feeling.

Also, if you ever feel that you are in danger of hurting or killing yourself, you can reach out to us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online. You could also consider calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
There are also other resources that could help you work through conflict with your family, help you find a safe place if you’re in need or help you with anything else you may need. If you’d like more information about resources or if you’d like to talk more about what’s been going on, you can call us or chat with us online.

Again, thank you for contacting us. It sounds like you have been going through such a hard time, but you’ve shown so much strength by working through these challenges and reaching out for help. If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to call us or chat with us online. We’re always here to listen and here to help.

[Guest]

Hello i live in ohio my stepdad is crazy he screams at me for stupid stuff that i cant control like being scheduled for days i request off my mom makes me do all the chores some of which no one else my age do and gives me no freedoms shes taken away the rights to see the man who for 14 years i thought was my dad and the brothers i had ive tried counseling but it made my situation worse and do not have the emotional strength to go through court for it i have no biological father as my mother was "raped in college ".all my friends and friends parents call me things like responsible, respectful, polite, intelligent, etc but my parents call me rude lazy selfish ignorant, etc. all my friends and some adults have suggested leaving and living with a friend. but i want more information first
1. Would my friends parents be reprimanded or legally punished
2. Would either they or myself be able to fill out legal papers such as physicals, permission slips etc
3.Would that make getting loans for scholarships impossible
4. Would i still be allowed to attend high school.
Thank you for your time

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear about the way in which your mom and step dad have been treating you. You don’t deserve to be called names or be yelled at. It sounds like you would have been thinking about running away. If you decided to leave without your parent’s permission, they have the right to file a runaway report. With a runaway report, if the police find you they would return you home. You mentioned that you have thought about leaving home and living with a friend. If you were to stay with a friend, their parents could get in trouble for harboring a runaway. Talking to someone that you trust about how your parents make you feel may help. You could try talking to a school counselor or teacher. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us through our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.
-Good Luck !

[Guest]

How can I help 17 year old who is sometimes kicked out and sleeps in the park? Can I pick him up and let him stay at our house? If he goes to police, he'll get in more trouble by his family. He wants to finish HS at his current school

[ccsmod4]

Reply: How can I help 17 year old ....

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you would like to help a youth that has been kicked out of his home.
He does not deserve to be in this situation, it is very nice of you to want to help him.
He might consider contacting Child protective services for emergency placement in a safe place.
To do so he can talk with a counselor or social worker at his school and they will help him to file a report and contact CPS.
He can also contact Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453
This an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone he trust as far as transferring custody.

NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We can best help by phone. If you or he would like to talk more in detail about how we can help specifically, please call.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello, I am 17 and will be 18 in less than a month. I live in Ohio. Can I move out now legally or do I have to wait until I am 18?

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. It seems like you’re going through a difficult time in your life and we hope we can help.

We are not legal experts, so we can’t guarantee with any degree of certainty that one will or will not face legal consequences for running away. Generally, when a minor runs away, it is considered a status offense, much like breaking curfew. This makes it unlikely that one would be arrested or detained for running away. It also is true in some areas that police do not conduct active investigations for runaways who are 17 years old. This may or may not be true where you live, and therefore you may want to contact your non-emergency police department to ask them these questions anonymously and hypothetically. You can call us at 1-800-786-2929 if you are having difficulties finding the number for your city.

Hopefully this was helpful. We invite you to contact us in the future for further assistance. In the meantime, best of luck.

-NRS