Is a Minor Emancipated by Becoming a Mother

[m.ice]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Missouri
Last week, my daughter turned 17 and gave birth to a child. She is under the impression that she is now an adult, legally emancipated by the birth of her child. I have read up on this subject a bit, and that does not seem to be true. I do know that you can move out of your parent's home at 17 without needing to worry about juvenile authorities forcing you back. My question is if the 17 year old has a history of delinquency documented in two states, with two instances of confinement for mental health issues, does this change anything as far as the authorities stepping in? My concern is for the safety and well being of my grandchild and I really don't want to wait for something horrible to happen before I can act on his behalf. At this point my daughter has already left my home, two days ago, and refuses to come back.Is there anything I can do?

[BooRennie]

You can go get her.

A minor mother is still a minor; they are not emancipated simply because a baby was born.

[Mercy&Grace]

You need to take a family member or friend with you to get her for safety reasons. If she is neglecting or abusing your grandchild you can call CPS and they will determine if.they need to step in for the safety of the child. But, a difference of opinion on caring or raising a child isn't the same thing as neglect or abuse. If.your daughter is still under the care of a professional for her mental health issues they are mandatory reporters if they believe the child may be at risk.

Being a teenage unwed mother is a very difficult world that she knows nothing about. If she has no way of supporting the baby she can apply for welfare but they will want the fathers name or the name of who the father might be. And the money is.a very small.amount. You are still responsible for supporting your daughter. Hopefully she will realize that the best place for her and the baby are with her family. A friend may be ok with supporting two people they aren't related to.for a short time, but they will tire of it soon.

[m.ice]

She has a history of physical violence, especially when you try to make her do something against her will. She has little to no self control when she is frustrated or angry and lashes out in a physical way. She went off her meds when we discovered she was pregnant at the advice of her obstetrician, and now refuses to return to her psychiatrist to get back on them. To my knowledge, she has not done anything to harm her newborn yet. It's not a difference of opinion, it's just a matter of time-everyone who knows her is sitting on pins and needles waiting for something to happen. When I attempt to go get her, she will get violent with me. I would have to involve the authorities, who I called today to ask if they could assist me and they told me "she's 17, you can't force her to come home, although you are still responsible for her until she is 18. This is a family matter, we cannot get involved." I'm just at a loss.

[Dogmatique]

Is the father involved?

[m.ice]

He is not.

[Mercy&Grace]

Maybe you should talk to her psychiatrist and see what they advise. They may or may not talk to you. You can call CPS but without her having done anything I'm not sure how much help they will be.

Is she staying with responsible people that are just trying to help or kids? Maybe if she's will responsible people they will try and show her that she needs the support of her family and hopefully they will watch out for the baby as best they can.

[m.ice]

I'm sorry. Let me clarify. My daughter's father is involved, but is an enabler. We have joint custody, but he is not willing to do anything to make her angry at him. It's the infant's father who is not involved.

[Dogmatique]

Then unless you want to try to convince a judge that you should have emergency custody of the newborn, there is quite literally nothing you can do.

Any why isn't the newborn's father involved?

[m.ice]

She is staying with her 17 year old boyfriend (who is not my grandchild's father) and his parents. I allowed her to visit Friday afternoon, as they wanted to see the baby, and in the few hours she was there they convinced her she was an emancipated adult and that if she continued to live with me I would take her child away from her. I do not know or understand what their motives could be, other than something financial. Not good people. I rarely allowed her to go there because of the environment.

- - - Updated - - -

I can only reply that my daughter makes very poor choices, like choosing to cheek her birth control to become pregnant purposefully, and choosing a poor partner who broke up with her when she became pregnant.