What Would Happen if I Ran Away

Hello, I'm 17, and my life hasn't been the easiest, but who's has? I want to be emanicpated, but that would take to long, plus the fact if I am emanicpated my younger brother and sister could be put in to foster homes, if I'm not mistaken. I want to run away, but what would happen if I was to get pregnant and have the baby before 18? Would the hospital turn me into the police? Also, what would happen to me, and to whom ever would be hidding me if I was caught? Could I go to jail, or would I just be sent back home? I honestly don't want to wait another 12 months to be free of the abuse, verbal, physical and emotional. By the way, this is all in Pennsylvania.

If you're being physically abused, you call 911 and/or child services.

If you get pregnant, you're proving to the world that you need more - not less - adult supervision...but since Pennsylvania doesn't have a statute allowing for the emancipation of a minor it's a moot point. I'm not sure why you think emancipation would result in your siblings being removed from their homes.

And if you run away and you're caught, whoever is harboring you can face felony charges. You could also face criminal charges.

Well, I'm not pregnant, that was just a what if situation. And I have called the police, they told me it's fine to punish a child to a point. Even though we had bruishs. And my sister, brother and I are wards of the state. So if I went and tried to be emancipated, saying that the place I reside is an abusive household, they could possibly take my sister and brother away. Or atleast thats what I've read on some law sites. My family is messed up, and it's not a stable household. I think running away for 6 months is definitly the best option, specialy since emancipation takes long, and might not even fall through.

You're not going to be emancipated. Even if it were to happen in the morning - I'm sorry, but you wouldn't convince any court, anywhere. (And again, PA does NOT have a statute allowing a minor to be emancipated - it's done on a county level, and you simply don't qualify).

Bruising a child is not acceptable. Call child services. Or, since you say that you're a ward of the state, contact your case workers.

But seriously - if you run away, you're likely going to end up in far more trouble than you realize, and the person/s you run to can face LONG prison sentences. If you think running away is an appropriate action, I'm sorry, but you're not nearly mature enough to be making that call - period.

What about after I turn 18, would all the charges be dropped?
And I don't live in PA, PA is where I'd run to, because my best friend live there. I do in fact live in a state that allows emancipation.

And which state would that be?

There IS a reason why I'm asking.

I live in Florida.

You will probably be 18 before you could get a court to hear your case.

Unless you are capable of supporting yourself and are doing so for the most part right now, emancipation is unlikely.

And if you intend to leave the state to engage in a sexual relationship, that could open a whole world of hurt for the friend in the other state you run to ... the feds could get involved.

If the home where you stay is bad, contact your social worker. If it is abusive, call the police or child services. If it is simply inconvenient and they have some rules you don't like, you'll be free in less than a year and you can go out and try to make ends meet on a minimum wage job.

Reality is coming soon enough ... chances are you only THINK you are ready for it.

Problem with staying for another year is that I can't stand it. I don't even know who my social worker is, my grandparents try there hardest to keep everyone out of my house and even when I call the police she sweet talks her way into being right! All the time! And I'm not going to run away to engage in a sexual relationship. My friend is a girl, as am I and I don't swing that way. And my house doesn't have any rules, which is another problem. I have a job, and I have enough to sustain myself for the next few months. If I do run away, it wouldn't be untill after I'm done with 11th grade year. I want to finish high school, and eventually go to college. My household is just unstructured and abusive. I can't deal with it, it's like living in a jungle on one side its nice and calm, and the other has blood thirsty animals, waiting to eat you whole.

Also, on your point I only THINK I'm ready, I have raised my younger siblings since I was about 6-7. My parents would leave us at home, and I'd cook, clean, and take care of them. I have many scares from burning myself on the stove and cutting myself from trying to open a can.

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Quoting FallenAngel

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Problem with staying for another year is that I can't stand it.

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That may be so, but it doesn't change the legal facts.

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I don't even know who my social worker is, my grandparents try there hardest to keep everyone out of my house and even when I call the police she sweet talks her way into being right!

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Then when you go to school, you speak with a counselor about abuse or neglect and ask that they contact the police or child services.

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I want to finish high school, and eventually go to college.

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Being a runaway is not a good way to accomplish either of those goals.

Oh, and any criminal acts related to your running away and being hidden by others does not go away when you turn 18. The people that helped you will be just as liable for criminal prosecution after you turn 18 as before.

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Also, on your point I only THINK I'm ready, I have raised my younger siblings since I was about 6-7. My parents would leave us at home, and I'd cook, clean, and take care of them. I have many scares from burning myself on the stove and cutting myself from trying to open a can.

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Ah, if the ONLY thing to concern yourself with was dealing with your younger siblings ...

Emancipation is not likely to happen. You can certainly contact the local court and see if they have information for you, but understand that emancipation is very rarely granted, and when it is there is usually a pressing reason why it is the only real alternative for the best interest of the child. In my nearly 21 years in police work I personally know of only one successful petition, and have been acquainted with two others with whom I serve on a county commission that addresses transitional youth coming out of foster care (including those who seek emancipation ... and they don't usually get it).

So, if you are being neglected or abused, speak to a teacher or a school counselor. They will be obligated to report any abuse or neglect to the proper authorities. If what is happening to you and your siblings falls under their legal authority to act, then they can do something. If it is simply a matter of no rules and parents that do not give a rat's behind, they may not be able to anything at all. But, even if they can NOT do anything, if you are a ward of the state, they should be able to contact your social worker or get that information for you.