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.

Why wouldn't the run away charges disappear after 18, I'd be an adult?

(The other thing here is that in Florida, ONLY the parent/s or legal guardians can file for the minor to be emancipated)

The reason why the charges wouldn't disappear is simple - the crime already committed doesn't disappear just because the perpetrator reaches the age of majority.

But, the crime will no longer matter? I will have turned 18.

Of course the crime still matters.

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Quoting FallenAngel

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But, the crime will no longer matter? I will have turned 18.

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You would not have committed a crime (well, maybe, but being a runaway is not generally a crime in and of itself). However, the people that helped you will have already committed the crime. They do not get rewarded because they managed to avoid the law until you turned 18. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The law will have been broken when they aided you in your delinquency. And since you are a ward of the state, that could make it all the worse.

So, if you want to leave home - and the state - only get help from people you hate, because everyone involved could conceivably be charged with serious criminal offenses even AFTER you turn 18.

Best bet still is to wait until you are 18 and then leave the house with the clothes on your back and do whatever you want.

Well, how would they prove I was with the said person until I turned 18?

The way everything else is proven in court. Testimony of witnesses under oath (under penalty of perjury), production of documents etc.

Don't you have any homework to do? Or do you just spend your time fantasizing about leading the exciting life of a runaway?

Maybe your parents will just kick you out when you are 18, then you will have no choice about leading this exciting life out in the real world away from your parents. And you can get an exciting job.

Are we doing homework?

First of all, I don't live with my parents, and how would they prove anything if there were no witnesses, I change my name, my look, and everything. Name wouldn't be changed by law, but just go by a different name. And yes, I have done my homework, I've been researching this for months, and I've looked on this site plenty of times, hence why I came and asked my question in the first place. And I have a job, I don't want to run away to have an exciting life, I want a normal life, like teenagers are suposed to have, but in my situation, that won't happen. I realize I'm putting a lot at stake by running away, but I can't live with the physical abuse, emotional and verbal abuse anymore. The police in my area don't seem to care, and my father is in jail, and my mother is a drug addict. My grandfather is abusive, and my grandmother is a drunk (I live with my Grandparents by the way). I know my life won't be normal even if I run away, but I'm hoping I won't be beat anymore. I know I won't be. When the law won't do what needs to be done, you have to take action yourself. (Not saying that you go a kill someone, but if they won't stop abuse, you ned to help yourself).

P.S. My homework is done????

STOP IT.

You're wasting our time here. If you'd actually been researching for months you'd know that what you've been told is the truth.

If you think you're wasting your time then stop replying.

Checkmate, Dogmatique

Clearly, you are going to do what you want to do anyway. It is the epitome of selfishness to act in a way that will place others at risk without caring.

Yes, the people that help you will be placed in legal jeopardy all because you want a taste of freedom a few months earlier than you might otherwise be allowed. But, it really will not be freedom. You will still be a child, will be unable to enter into contracts, get gainful employment, or do anything that adults can do because you will be a minor who has runaway from home. You will have to look over your shoulder and be entirely dependent upon others until you turn 18. And even then, your friends will not be immune to suffering the consequences of YOUR actions.

Your friends and associates will run the risk of incarceration, loss of employment and freedom, even the loss of their families just so you can be free from the control of your grandparents for a little while (or, be free of their lack of control to hear you complain about it). And, as a ward of the state, they may be quite concerned as the liability rests with them more so than with your grandparents, so they may be more inclined to pursue any related criminal charges that can be identified.

Sure, your friends may never be identified and charged. But, are they willing to risk their futures, families, and finances just so you can do what you want for a few months? Are you so selfish that your wants and desires are more important than their freedom?

Do as you will ... because, clearly, no one can talk you out of it. You will justify your actions in your mind and you will decide that it is well worth the risk to others so you can breathe the fresh air of somewhere new - the greener grass just over the horizon. Reality can be a bitter pill ... I pray that it will not be too hard to swallow one day.

I don't want my friend to lose her family or job, but I don't think she will. I can only hope for the best when this happens, if it does happen. I haven't fully decided on what to do. I don't know which way to lean, there is a lot at stake, and if I go through with it, I won't be able to talk to my friends or family. Plus, the possibility of my friend losing everything she has. I don't know. =\

What you should be doing right now, instead of creating the Greatest Drama the World has Ever Known, is to be preparing yourself for either education or training so that you can actually support yourself in the real world. Buckling down and improving yourself is not fun, though, and drama is, so you're taking the easy way out in life.

Why don't you try an be helpful, instead of a snot nosed adult? All adults look down at children as if they are stupid, and don't have a clue how to take care of themselves. You probably never had to go through any of the things I have and had to, but since I'm a child I don't have a voice so says the government. And every other adult in the world. Instead of looking down on someone who wants to grow up and move away from the drama, and abusive situation, all you do it look down on them and pretty much tell them. You only have a year left, just let them beat you. It's fine you'll be out in a year. Well no, that's not right, but of course, since you are the adult, it is right. No matter how hard and loud a child screams, unless you want to admit that something is wrong it flys in one ear and out the other. Life is hard, but some people have it harder, and I'm definitly not the one on the worse end, but still, being in the bottom isn't rainbows and butterflies. Someone who hasn't gone through what I have would never understand. Drama, is not what I want, I want to be AWAY from the bloody drama. I want a nice peaceful place to read, and write. Not a screaming house of morons, that beat us until we bleed. Like I said, you wouldn't understand. And you think me childish, and immature, and not fit to live on my own, but what's so different from the day before you turn 18 to the day you do? Nothing, it's just a day. Some people have to grow up faster then other, and don't get to live through childhood. I raised my siblings, you probably played with dolls, or dinosaurs. I want to be able to live without a day of physical pain, a day for myself. Not being a damn slave for the people I live with. Once again, I'm sure this is very childish to you, and you pay very little mind to what I say, but think about it. How would you feel if you shed blood every day, at the hands of your parents, or grandparents? Would you sit by and do nothing? Watch as the police scuff you off? Watch as DCF does nothing? Friends walk away because they don't understand? No! You wouldn't, you'd take action, you'd find some way to escape, to be free. And that's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to excersice all of my options before choosing the best venue. You may not find it a good idea, and I don't either, but it's better then the abuse.

To quote Marcia from the TV series "The Brady Bunch": "We're a new generation, mom, you just don't UNDERSTAND".

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How would you feel if you shed blood every day, at the hands of your parents, or grandparents?

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I did. My parents nearly killed me. Skull fracture, brain surgery, physical therapy, psychologist visits, the works. Been there, done that, me and 794,000 other kids were proven victims of child abuse that year. It's that common, you're not as unique as your melodramatic howling would have us believe.

It doesn't change the legal reality - if you're being abused, you call CPS, and you tell your teachers and counselors, and you keep calling and keep telling the mandated reporters at your school. Lather, rinse, repeat. Call 1.800.4-A.CHILD. Have your counselor document your injuries, and you keep doing it until action is taken. Running away will not help you. Running away will not help your siblings, either. All it will do is create problems for the people you run to.

So, you are saying that you live in an abusive household.... but you don't want your brother and sister taken out of that same abusive household?