What Will Happen If A Sixteen Year Old Runs Away?

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Florida

My brother and I got taken away from my mom about 5 yrs ago, she is mentally disabled. I am now 21 but my brother is only 16. The people we were put to live with are "freinds of the family". the only reason they wanted us was for the money (child support and survivers benefits, my father died yrs ago) I am of course out of the house now, i moved out at 16 and they didnt say anything. But for some reason it is different with him. they wont let him leave the house or anything. They are not really physically abusive mostly mentally. but it is still really affecting my brother. i know that it is very hard to live with them. they are not good people. I have read many different things about what would happen if he just left, some things say that at the age of 16 police won't even really investigate it. but others say different. So what would happen if he did run away, and he is a ward of the state. does that make a difference?

If he runs away and his guardians do anything he can and will be brought back, if he continues to run away there will be further consequences. If he goes to live with you or someone else they will be charged with harboring a runaway.

im no lawyer or anything and i dont know how laws regarding things like this work in Florida but cant you take him in your house? since you are family and are over 18. it might work and is something to look into. if you can support him that is.

best of luck to you and your brother.

Family or not, he can't overstep the authority of his LEGAL guardians. He COULD however, contact his local probate court and get the info on how HE could become his brother's guardian, now that he's an adult.