Harboring a Runaway Teen

[alexisann405]

What type of consequences are typical for a Virginia adult if they harbor a 15-16 year old runaway with full knowledge of the situation?

[aaron]

That would likely fall under this statute:

Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition which renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in § 16.1-228, or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse with a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting §§ 18.2-18, 18.2-19, 18.2-61, 18.2-63, 18.2-66, and 18.2-347.

If the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or rescue squad, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child to a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services or to an attended rescue squad that employs emergency medical technicians, within the first 14 days of the child's life. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child's safety.

[alexisann405]

Well, I was kind of talking about like a friend's mom. If she knew that the person was running away from home. And what type of consequences does a class 1 misdomeanor involve?

[aaron]

Unless otherwise specified, a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to 12 months confinement.

[alexisann405]

Thank you. You've been a big help.