Admin Table of Contents
What do you do when your child runs away?
Here’s what to do if your child has run away from home.
- Call the Police Immediately. As soon as you learn that your child has run away, report them as missing to your local police.
- Ask Police to Enter Your Child Into the NCIC.
- Call Child Find of America.
- Spread The Word.
- When They Return Home, Address the Problem.
What happens if you house a runaway?
In most areas, child runaways can legally be returned to their homes by law enforcement at any time and against the child’s wishes. In states where it is illegal to run away, children may be punished with probation or may just be returned home.
Where do you go after you run away from home?
If you’re still considering running away, call them first at 1-800-786-2929. Or, you can visit the Safeline website at: http://www.1800runaway.org. The National Runaway Safeline will help you find runaway shelters near you or other safe living situations.
Is it illegal to house a runaway child?
Allowing a minor who has run away from home to stay in your house without alerting the police and their parents, is illegal. You could be charged with Harboring a Runaway (also called Aiding and Abetting), or Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
What states have runaway laws?
State Statutes Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming, consider running away from home a status offense. That means it is against the law when a youth under 18 years old runs away from home.
How do you escape home forever?
Come up with a plan, and if you run out of suitable options, consider returning home, or if you’re really true about running away, try to start a new life. Get a job, some shelter (no matter how bad, all you need is protection from the weather), and some friends in your new city or town.
Can a parent be responsible for a runaway child?
For example, parents can be responsible for their child’s truancy (unexcused absence from school) when the child has run away. Parents should call the runaway’s school daily to report the child’s absence and let the school know that the child is a reported runaway.
What happens if you run away from home as a child?
In most states, running away is not a crime; however, runaways and their parents or guardians can face legal consequences. Adults who encourage or hide runaways can be charged with a crime. Parents are legally responsible for caring for their minor children, even when the child is not living at home.
What should I do if my runaway won’t return home?
Runaways who are fleeing an abusive situation and do not want to return home should tell police about the abuse. The police must report child abuse to a county child welfare agency for further investigation; emergency shelter might be available.
How do you find a missing or runaway teenager?
Knowing your teenager’s friends and their parents (including contact information) is a critical first step to creating a safe network to help you find a missing or runaway teen. Asking a non-immediate family member who is close to your child may also be more successful making contact.