My question involves emancipation laws for the State of: Texas and\or Pennsylvania.

Okay, I have just turned 17 a few days ago. While I was still 16 me and my parents got into a dispute over a cell phone. They tried to leave me home alone with no electronics, I.E. phones, internet, etc. I wanted a cell phone so I could contact my friends, have something to do, and call them if there was a problem. Well, I got tackled and it was, most literally choked out of my back pocket.

I got up and started packing my backpack. Dad helped too. I was told I could stay or go if I wanted, so I chose to go. Tension was high in our house anyway. There was verbal abuse and in some cases physical by my mother. I have not gone to public school in my life. I went to K5 for a short time, but after that I was "homeschooled". I do not consider myself schooled. I am told I have to do one book at a time. Starting with algebra. I want a rounded education but when I ask for it I am chewed out for it because I am being "Ungrateful" and "rebellious".

Anyway, I got my backpack and bought a bus ticket to Pittsburgh, PA. Here I am staying with some friends of mine 1500 miles away from home in Texas. I want to stay here but I am afraid Dad will come and try to get me, and I am afraid to go home. I hate it there. They even admitted the house has become more peaceful while I am gone, but they are almost bipolar like and they could want me back at any time. How do I protect myself? What state law would I be under? PA or TX?

Can I get my freedom and stay with my new family?
And if so how do I do it so I am protecting myself and my new family from my parents?