Can You Run Away if Your Parents are Poor and Disabled

[Jessica Swank]

My question involves guardianship in the State of: PA

Hi! I'm new to this so bare with me. My cousin is 15, has a baby. Will be 16 in a month. Currently she lives at home with her parents and two older brothers ages 22 and 18 (both receive SSI) Please note her parents do not work and have not worked in 15+ years. They dont have drivers license. They live off the now adult children's disability checks. Soon the oldest is moving into a group home . She has contacted me multiple times when she would run away from home, although she hasn't ran away in the past year. All for the same reasons, she's hungry. She said typically the last two weeks of the month they run out of food. They get food stamps. That's the only assistance they receive. October there gas was shut off and that controls there heat, hot water, and cooking gas. That was off for 6 weeks and a 5 month old baby at the time. I've personally contacted CPS more than 8 times in the past 2 years. They haven't done anything. My cousin is not allowed to see me or any extended family because her parents feel we are a threat. They know she will try and get help. It's a very sad situation. However her parents allow her to run around with 22 year old boys. Again I reported it to CPS. They warned the boys. The father of the baby is 21 and is now just being charged for rape. Again mother knew the age but never pressed charges. Police did when the father filed for visitation. At this point she wants me to be her guardian. I have been reading about it but I'm not getting clear answers. Her parents I'm assuming will try and contest it because she and her baby are just a meal ticket and they'd be losing money. About myself, I'm married with three children. I own my own home, stay at home mom, 6 figure income. I have a very stable and loving environment that she will thrive in. Do we have any options? I'd like to have all my ducks in a row before I consult with a lawyer.

[cbg]

If her parents give her permission to live with you, she can. If her parents say she cannot live with you, she cannot. CPS evidently doesn't consider the situation severe enough to remove her from the home, so those are the choices.

[Dogmatique]

My question involves guardianship in the State of: PA

Hi! I'm new to this so bare with me. My cousin is 15, has a baby. Will be 16 in a month. Currently she lives at home with her parents and two older brothers ages 22 and 18 (both receive SSI) Please note her parents do not work and have not worked in 15+ years. They dont have drivers license. They live off the now adult children's disability checks. Soon the oldest is moving into a group home . She has contacted me multiple times when she would run away from home, although she hasn't ran away in the past year. All for the same reasons, she's hungry. She said typically the last two weeks of the month they run out of food. They get food stamps. That's the only assistance they receive. October there gas was shut off and that controls there heat, hot water, and cooking gas. That was off for 6 weeks and a 5 month old baby at the time. I've personally contacted CPS more than 8 times in the past 2 years. They haven't done anything. My cousin is not allowed to see me or any extended family because her parents feel we are a threat. They know she will try and get help. It's a very sad situation. However her parents allow her to run around with 22 year old boys. Again I reported it to CPS. They warned the boys. The father of the baby is 21 and is now just being charged for rape. Again mother knew the age but never pressed charges. Police did when the father filed for visitation. At this point she wants me to be her guardian. I have been reading about it but I'm not getting clear answers. Her parents I'm assuming will try and contest it because she and her baby are just a meal ticket and they'd be losing money. About myself, I'm married with three children. I own my own home, stay at home mom, 6 figure income. I have a very stable and loving environment that she will thrive in. Do we have any options? I'd like to have all my ducks in a row before I consult with a lawyer.

I'd just like to clarify a few things.

1. Your income doesn't mean a thing. In fact, the court cannot hold poverty against the parent.

2. CPS doesn't have the authority to "warn" anybody - not least strangers.

3. The parents not working doesn't matter.

4. You need to be VERY careful. Harboring a runaway can quickly become a felony.

How much of this is proven, versus a teen embellishing?

- - - Updated - - -

She will also not be emancipated by the court - let's put that one to bed now.

[BooRennie]

My question involves guardianship in the State of: PA

Hi! I'm new to this so bare with me. My cousin is 15, has a baby. Will be 16 in a month. Currently she lives at home with her parents and two older brothers ages 22 and 18 (both receive SSI) Please note her parents do not work and have not worked in 15+ years. They dont have drivers license. They live off the now adult children's disability checks. Soon the oldest is moving into a group home . She has contacted me multiple times when she would run away from home, although she hasn't ran away in the past year. All for the same reasons, she's hungry. She said typically the last two weeks of the month they run out of food. They get food stamps. That's the only assistance they receive. October there gas was shut off and that controls there heat, hot water, and cooking gas. That was off for 6 weeks and a 5 month old baby at the time. I've personally contacted CPS more than 8 times in the past 2 years. They haven't done anything. My cousin is not allowed to see me or any extended family because her parents feel we are a threat. They know she will try and get help. It's a very sad situation. However her parents allow her to run around with 22 year old boys. Again I reported it to CPS. They warned the boys. The father of the baby is 21 and is now just being charged for rape. Again mother knew the age but never pressed charges. Police did when the father filed for visitation. At this point she wants me to be her guardian. I have been reading about it but I'm not getting clear answers. Her parents I'm assuming will try and contest it because she and her baby are just a meal ticket and they'd be losing money. About myself, I'm married with three children. I own my own home, stay at home mom, 6 figure income. I have a very stable and loving environment that she will thrive in. Do we have any options? I'd like to have all my ducks in a row before I consult with a lawyer.

Sure. Take some of that 6 figure income and buy them some groceries. Pay their gas bill.

[Dogmatique]

Sure. Take some of that 6 figure income and buy them some groceries. Pay their gas bill.

This is a most excellent idea.

[Disagreeable]

Even better. Make arrangements to give them a small monthly stipend to give you temporary guardianship.