16-year-old in substance-abusing household in Colorado

I have a great friend of mine who is 16 (17 in October) and in a horrible situation. We'll call him Chris for reference purposes. Chris's mom has been married 5 times since his birth and a few months ago she split from his step-dad after he was pressuring her to get drunk with him. Moments before that, they have gone out and gotten drunk and picked Chris up while they're in that current state and almost had accidents on the way home. Also, Chris's step-dad has been known to shoot-up heroin.

For the summer, Chris went to live with his dad and came back two months later to find out his mom has moved in with her friend due to being scared of repercussions from his step-dad. Things seemed to be going okay until Chris's mom went missing for 16 hours. The next day she told Chris that she still loved his step-dad and will be moving back into the old house. Everything repeated itself again.

He came down to talk to his mom about something only to find her not home. She got home hours later completely trashed. This couple also makes out in front of him (he removed his mom's bra from under her shirt right in front of Chris), tries to get him to drink liquor underage, and just flat-out ignores him depending on their mood. He called me yesterday sobbing his heart over the phone saying how upset he is. I don't know what to do... I'd take him in and look into emanipation laws, except that I'm not a relative and according to some sources online, he's not at age of consent until 17, and that's the last thing I want to be accused of. I'd be more comfortable offering him a place once he is of that age. Unfortunately, I will be going overseas till March so I can't take him in until then anyways. His only viable option to do until then is to move in with his sister's dad in Nevada, but he mentioned that to his mom and she got mad and said she won't let Chris do that.

What should he do at this point? I really want to help him, but have no firm legal advice I can offer him. Any help would be great. I hate seeing him this upset and it is really unhealthy for him to live in this type of environment. :(

This should be reported.

From the Colorado statutes:

19-3-304 PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
(1) Any person specified in subsection (2) of this section who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect shall immediately report or cause a report to be made of such fact to the county department or local law enforcement agency.

(2) Persons required to report such abuse or neglect or circumstances or conditions shall include any:
(A) Physician or surgeon, including a physician in training;
(B) Child health associate;
© Medical examiner or coroner;
(D) Dentist;
(E) Osteopath;
(F) Optometrist;
(G) Chiropractor;
(H) Chiropodist or Podiatrist;
(I) Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;
(J) Hospital personnel engaged in the admission, care or treatment of patients
(K) Christian science practitioner;
(L) Public or private school official or employee;
(M) Social worker or worker in a family care home or child care center as defined in the section 26-6-102, C.R.S.;
(N) Mental health professional;
(O) Dental hygienist;
(P) Psychologist;
(Q) Physical therapist;
(R) Veterinarian;
(S) Police officer as defined in section 18-1-901 (3) (1), C.R.S.;
(T) Pharmacist;
(U) Commercial film and photographic print processor as provided in subsection (2.5) this section.
(V) Firefighter as defined in section 18-3-201 (1), C.R.S.
(W) Victim’s advocate, as defined in section 12-90-107 (1)(k)(II), C.R.S.

(2.5) Any commercial film and photographic print processor who has knowledge of or observes, within the scope of his or her professional capacity or employment, any film, photograph, video tape, negative, or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct shall report such fact to a local law enforcement agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone and shall prepare and send a written report of it with a copy of the film, etc., within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident.

(3) In addition to those persons specifically required by this section to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect and circumstances or conditions which might reasonably result in abuse or neglect, any other person may report known or suspected child abuse or neglect and circumstances or condition which might reasonably result in child abuse or neglect to the local law enforcement agency or the county department.

(3.5) No person, including a person specified in subsection (1) of this section, shall knowingly make a false report of abuse or neglect to a county department or local law enforcement agency.

Thank you for your reply. My concern with this is it would send him to an alternative legal guardian. Plus, in the list, I can't make the report. His real dad lives several states away and cannot afford to raise Chris. While he was there on vacation, Chris had little food and survived the last week on unsalted saltine crackers (yuck) plus his dad is verbally abusive and he hates being there. Him being rendered an independent adult seems to be the best and least painful option.

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Quoting Toboe

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Thank you for your reply. My concern with this is it would send him to an alternative legal guardian. Plus, in the list, I can't make the report. His real dad lives several states away and cannot afford to raise Chris. While he was there on vacation, Chris had little food and survived the last week on unsalted saltine crackers (yuck) plus his dad is verbally abusive and he hates being there. Him being rendered an independent adult seems to be the best and least painful option.

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Emancipation is not an option here.

See related link: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8907

This is why I addressed your post the way that I did. Yes, it is true that if the neglect is proven that he could be sent to an alternative legal guardian. He also may have some say in it, but it is the safety of this minor that is important.

You can report it. Those in the list are required to make a report, but anyone can call the proper authorities even the minor.

Quote:

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(3) In addition to those persons specifically required by this section to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect and circumstances or conditions which might reasonably result in abuse or neglect, any other person may report known or suspected child abuse or neglect and circumstances or condition which might reasonably result in child abuse or neglect to the local law enforcement agency or the county department.

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