[fargone]

State of Texas

My questions are mostly regarding the legal ramifications if I were to let my 17yr old girlfriend move in with me.

Now, she has a horrible home life etc. but of course that doesn't really determine any of the legality so I won't go into details about that.

What I want to know is, my girlfriend (not emancipated mind you, yes I did some research) wants to move in with me, being in the state of TX I have gotten some mixed results as per the legality of myself housing a possible "runaway". She plans on leaving without notifying her parents first( I personally don't agree with this but she insists it's the only way and plans to reconcile after things have calmed down). Being a "runaway" and 17 in Texas seems to offer her the ability to not be forced home by any officers that might attempt to do so - this is one of the mixed results I was speaking of. If, for whatever reason they can't force her to return to her parents house, what legal problems - if any will I have to endure being an adult with said minor.

If they can force her to return( I assume they will be the same) what will be the legal ramifications of such a situation?

[Mr. Knowitall]

If your girlfriend runs away from home, but it is clear to her parents from the first minute that she is at your place, it becomes much less likely that you could get into trouble, e.g., for "harboring a runaway". Running away from home is a status offense which can result in a minor's being taken to juvenile court; I don't know what your county's policies and practices would be under the circumstances you describe.

[christi_josh]

I just wanted to let you know that i was in the same situation last week. My boyfriend is 20 and im 16 and i ran away from home for 2 days but honestly i was the same way as you describe your girlfriend to be and i also live in texas. Well you wont get in a heap of trouble but she can. Depending on how many times she has ran way can determine if she goes to juvy and since it was my first time they signed me back with my mom. Honestly things can be much worse than what they already are and if here parents dis agree with yall being together she can press charges and if yall have been intimate than her parent can take her to the docter to get a rape kit. Thats where your life begins to mess up. So if its not too late i would advise you not to do anything because you could be setting yourself up for some seriouse jail time. Well i just wanted to let you know from someone who has gone through it real recently.