can my mom call the cops if I’m with my step dad

[Guest]

My mom and step dad go divorced but I call him my dad because my mom was with him when I was like 3 and me and my mom have not been getting along and always fighting I don’t want to be with her so if I go with my step dad and she calls the cops do I have to go back with her?

[ccsmod15]

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 is a lot 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 runaway laws.
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. Since you would be going to another parent/guardian, and it is a recent divorce, police may choose to stay out of it since it is a custody issue rather than a runaway issue. This might only be true if your step-dad adopted you when your parents married or your state recognizes his custody since he was a parent figure for you. Otherwise if the courts decide your mom gets full custody of you in some way then yes police would look to bring you back home to your mom and it might even get your step-dad in trouble.
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.
Be safe,
NRS