Where Do You Go If You Runaway From Home?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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This Hotline is open 24/7. If you’re still considering running away, call them first at 1-800-786-2929. Or, you can visit the Safeline website at:

Home



. The National Runaway Safeline will help you find runaway shelters near you or other safe living situations.

What should I do if I run away from home?

  1. Keep in contact with people. Tell a friend or relative you trust where you’re going and what’s happening. …
  2. Be careful about offers to help. If you need help or advice, talk to Childline or the Runaway Helpline. …
  3. If you’re unsafe, call the police.

Is it OK to run away from home?


Running away is generally not a crime

, but as just described, it is a status offense in some states. Regardless of whether a particular state recognizes running away as a status offense, police can always take runaways into custody. The options available to police include: returning them home.

Where do runaways usually go?

Where They Go: Destination. Very few runaways identify “the street” as their initial destination when they run away from home or care. The most common intended destinations are

the homes of friends or relatives

. Often, parents or caretakers know where juveniles are staying.

Can I leave my house at 13?

Teens may

legally leave home when they reach the age of majority

. The age of majority in most states is 18 years old, except for the following: In Alabama and Nebraska, the age of majority is 19.

How long do police look for runaways?

If you are under seventeen years of age,

the police will continue to look for you indefinitely

. So if you can go to a social worker at a hospital or a police authority if there is abuse, that would be best.

How do you run away and not get caught?

Don’t go to the obvious places such as GF/BF, friends, or any hangouts you’re known to frequent. Put some distance between where you are now and where you can lay low and hide. Get at least a few counties away or ideally a state or two.

Avoid driving as much as possible

.

Can a 12 year old run away from home?

In California

it is not considered a crime for a juvenile

(any person under the age of 18) to runaway from home. … Conversely, under Canadian law, when a child runs away from home it is not considered a crime. It is not a crime for a juvenile to run away from home in California.

Where can a runaway kid go?

To help locate a runaway shelter, call

the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY anytime

. They will respond via phone, text, or email. You can also search online for a listing of shelters in your area. Family & Youth Services Bureau.

In what states is running away illegal?


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.

Can police track a Runaways phone?

Because running away is not a crime,

court orders for cellular telephone records cannot be obtained

. If the cellular telephone that your runaway might be using is in your name, you can get the call records without a court order.

Where do runaways sleep?

Surviving as a Runaway. Find somewhere to sleep. If you don’t have a bed to sleep in (which will be the case most nights), the best spots to sleep are

in the bushes, at the park, or in the woods or large, empty fields

.

Can you go to jail for leaving a child home alone?

The parent or parents who left the child home alone may be subject to

criminal penalties

for child abandonment or child endangerment. … The consequences of leaving a child home alone vary by state but most implement fines or jail time. A court may not intervene unless it finds the child is being harmed.

Can I leave my 7 year old home alone for 30 minutes?

Kids should never be left alone until they are

8 years old

, and kids between the ages 8-10 shouldn’t be left for more than an hour-and-a-half or during night-time hours. … Kids ages 11-13 may be left alone up to three hours but not “late at night.” Per her research, only kids 16 and up may be left unsupervised overnight.

Can I kick my 15 year old out of the house?

If your teen is a minor, according to

the law you can’t toss him out

. In many instances, kicking him out could be classified as abandonment. Unless your teen has been emancipated (the court severs the parent’s legal obligations) you are still legally accountable for his welfare.

What can I do if my 15 year old refuses to come home?


Call the police

. – This sends the message to teenagers that it is not okay to leave home without permission. – The police are responsible for the safety of citizenry; your child is not safe if you do not know where he is. – Parents are responsible for what happens to their child even when he is not at home.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.