Can You Move In With Another Family if Your Parent Agrees

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Ohio.

I am sixteen years old, and will be seventeen this January. I have lived with my biological mother for most of my life, following her divorce from my father in late 2001. She was a very young mother with issues of her own, which seemed to always attract the wrong people. There were constantly new "father figures" in my life, the most recent being my current step-father, who I'll call number four.

The past six or so years have been especially rough on me. My step-father is extremely manipulative, and he and my mother are both verbally abusive and have serious anger issues. The three of us are constantly at each others' throats, figuratively, in some sort of screaming match where they break me down and call me extremely rude names, many of which I don't think I should publicly mention. Many of the fights with just my mother and I have escalated to a physical level, the worst of which have left me with a blackened eye, several scars on my hands and arms from her ripping my flesh open with her fingernails, and severe anxiety. My step-father will usually lock me outside of the house, with no shoes or coat, for however long he sees fit. I was once locked out in the rain without shoes or a coat for an hour. They both also constantly turn to calling the police when I try to stand up for myself, if a hard hit across the face isn't enough to shut me up. I now deal with medically-diagnosed anxiety and depression, both results of these behaviors.

But, anyway, my question is about moving out. My mother and step-father are constantly telling me that I can leave if I want to, as well, they've threatened to altogether kick me out of the house multiple times. I am more than willing to pack up and leave, but I don't want to leave the school district that I am currently in. My best options for living away from home would seem to be my father, who lives an hour away, or with my aunt or grandmother, who live on the other side of the city in different districts that aren't as nice as the one I am currently in.

I have done so much research recently, and I'm not too fond of the idea of being placed in a group home. I have, however, received a few offers from my close friends to move in with their families.

If my mother agreed to this, would I be able to move in with one of them? This school means the world to me, but if I stay in the house I am in now, none of it matters.

I appreciate any help I can get with this. Thank you so very much.

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Quoting clockworktyrant

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I have, however, received a few offers from my close friends to move in with their families.

If my mother agreed to this, would I be able to move in with one of them?

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Bad idea. That only works until you've worn out your welcome when they get tired of supporting another teenager. Then you go on to the next friend until their family kicks you out, etc, etc. Eventually, you'll have to place to go and end up back home if they will let you in, or on the streets surviving by begging on street corners. Sounds bleak, right? But where to you think most of these homeless kids, drug addicts, and prostitutes come from?

Call your bio father. He's your best chance at getting into a better environment even if you have to give up your school.

Some such placements actually turn out to be stable, but there certainly is a risk of instability given that the other family has no duty to continue to provide support.

Both parents need to agree -- if mom no longer wants to exercise custody, dad has every right to say, "Our child should now live with me."

Quote:

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Quoting clockworktyrant

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My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Ohio.

I am sixteen years old, and will be seventeen this January. I have lived with my biological mother for most of my life, following her divorce from my father in late 2001. She was a very young mother with issues of her own, which seemed to always attract the wrong people. There were constantly new "father figures" in my life, the most recent being my current step-father, who I'll call number four.

The past six or so years have been especially rough on me. My step-father is extremely manipulative, and he and my mother are both verbally abusive and have serious anger issues. The three of us are constantly at each others' throats, figuratively, in some sort of screaming match where they break me down and call me extremely rude names, many of which I don't think I should publicly mention. Many of the fights with just my mother and I have escalated to a physical level, the worst of which have left me with a blackened eye, several scars on my hands and arms from her ripping my flesh open with her fingernails, and severe anxiety. My step-father will usually lock me outside of the house, with no shoes or coat, for however long he sees fit. I was once locked out in the rain without shoes or a coat for an hour. They both also constantly turn to calling the police when I try to stand up for myself, if a hard hit across the face isn't enough to shut me up. I now deal with medically-diagnosed anxiety and depression, both results of these behaviors.

But, anyway, my question is about moving out. My mother and step-father are constantly telling me that I can leave if I want to, as well, they've threatened to altogether kick me out of the house multiple times. I am more than willing to pack up and leave, but I don't want to leave the school district that I am currently in. My best options for living away from home would seem to be my father, who lives an hour away, or with my aunt or grandmother, who live on the other side of the city in different districts that aren't as nice as the one I am currently in.

I have done so much research recently, and I'm not too fond of the idea of being placed in a group home. I have, however, received a few offers from my close friends to move in with their families.

If my mother agreed to this, would I be able to move in with one of them? This school means the world to me, but if I stay in the house I am in now, none of it matters.

I appreciate any help I can get with this. Thank you so very much.

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IF your mother agreed then yes you could move - but she can always make you move back too. Otherwise the only way to get away from abuse is to call authorities or talk to a trusted adult.

What does your dad think about this abuse you have mentioned?