Will the State Pursue a Runaway Who is Almost 18 Years Old

[Beckylawson]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: If a person is 17, and will be 18 yrs old in 20 days, what are the chances Idaho would pursue this as a runaway? If the child feels the home environment is unsafe, there has been issues with a parent hitting the teen in the last year when drinking, and the teen is in fear of there safety if they were to return home. It was suggested social services be called, but the teen does not want to do this due to their concern for the other children in the house, to which have not suffered any abuse. The teen also wants to know if they stay gone and turn 18, would runaway charges be dropped at that time or could charges still be prosecuted?

[cdwjava]

Why not wait until they are 18, that way there should be NO chance that anyone else might get into trouble. Leaving before 18 can result in trouble for anyone who assists the juvenile even if he or she turn 18 while on the run.

When the child turns 18 they can leave home with whatever mom and dad let them leave with.

And if the harm is not sufficient to get the authorities involved, then I have my doubts that it is really all that serious. Teens can possess a great deal of drama - particularly teen girls.

[Beckylawson]

Why not wait until they are 18, that way there should be NO chance that anyone else might get into trouble. Leaving before 18 can result in trouble for anyone who assists the juvenile even if he or she turn 18 while on the run.

When the child turns 18 they can leave home with whatever mom and dad let them leave with.

And if the harm is not sufficient to get the authorities involved, then I have my doubts that it is really all that serious. Teens can possess a great deal of drama - particularly teen girls.

So, in looking into this matter further , the teen and the parents live in Oregon were there is no runaway laws, but the teen has been staying with different friends in Idaho bouncing from friend to friend. If the parents contact the local police department in Oregon, where there is no law? Or would the state the teen is hiding in have jurisdiction?

[cdwjava]

So, in looking into this matter further , the teen and the parents live in Oregon were there is no runaway laws, but the teen has been staying with different friends in Idaho bouncing from friend to friend. If the parents contact the local police department in Oregon, where there is no law? Or would the state the teen is hiding in have jurisdiction?

What do you mean there is no runaway law in OR? Yes, a parent in OR CAN report a child as a runaway and the report is entered into a nationwide database. In OR law enforcement can detain juveniles for being reported as a runaway, and there are laws that allow for prosecution for custodial interference. OR can have jurisdiction on the issue, and they can seek extradition from the other state.

Chances are little will come of the matter if there are people concealing the child in another state, but, I suspect they are doing the juvenile no great favor as they break the law and may also be buying into a fabricated tale being spun by the juvenile.

Any adult that takes a minor into their home in another state without notifying the proper authorities or getting permission from the parents are ... well, I don't use such language, suffice it to say they are wrong - oh so wrong.