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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    5

    Default Harboring a Runaway

    A 15 year old child was reported as a runaway to local authorities and the national center for missing children. Flyers were hung and friends and family were called. Turns out the child was harbored by the paternal grandmother. ( parents are separated and mother had physical custody) The grandmother was repeatedly asked if she knew were the child was and continued to deny anything. The child was flown out of state using a different name. The parents wereboth devasted and begin to believe something terrible has happened. After 1 year the child returns and turns out that the chld needed medical attention as the child has been diagnosed with severe anxiety, and bipolar. The child was also out of school for a year. It has taken the child 2 years since returning home to get on the right track with the help of medication and support from her parents. The grandmother has now been harrassing the parent. With threats of reporting IRS fraud and a state fraud because she cared for the child for 6 mos. (and the parent is frightened that she may try to kidnap her youngest child) Is there any laws that the grandmother can be charged with. At this point I'd rather not put the state the child lived in and the state she was harbored in out of fear of retaliation.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    There must be more to the story than this. Why wasn't the g-mom charged with kidnapping, obstruction of justice, or several other crimes that were committed?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    I just found out two days ago when my child admitted to where she was. Her gma's has been emailing her and texting her. She posed a a 20 yr old young girl on myspace trying to get my child to talk to her. My child just admitted where she was with her and feels like her gma is stalking her now. As she has grown up and getting mentally healthy. She see's now that her gma is nutts. I haven't reported anything yet because I didn't know if I had a leg to stand on since now my daughter has been home for 2 years. I am angry as hell knowing that this person let me believe that my daughter was possibly dead. I didn't everything that I could to find her and appealed to the ex inlaws I said I don't care if she is with you I just need to know if she is safe. I would have allowed my child to stay if she wanted possibly could have gotten her the medical attention she needed and she could have gone to school.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    38,867

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    So what did the police say when the girl was found? Did the girl simply miraculously just show up from nowhere?

    As it is, I hesitate to suggest there are any charges to be brought but you should speak to the local district attorney to be sure. I would also suggest seeking a restraining order against grandma.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    2,773

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    Gather up all documentation you have and contact your local district attorney's office. If it turns out that they are not the correct place, they will be able to tell you who to file a report with.

    In the mean time, don't let the children around the g-ma at all. You also might be able to file for a protective order for your children, you can speak to your court clerk's office about what forms you need to file for that.
    Good luck, you and your kids are in my prayers.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    Yes she did just miracously appear. I was on vacation and my house sitter called to let me know my child came home. I notified the National Center for missing childrend and my local police force. The case was never closed locally because my daughter refused to say where she was, she didn't want to get anyone in trouble. She told me she stayed in the state with various friends. I did not push it because I was thankful just to have her home. She did not run a way from a bad home or a abusive parent she ran away because her father and I divorced that coupled with her anxiety, bipolar and ADD I am sure she felt like she could not deal and just wanted to escape. I let her keep her secrets and concentrated on getting her healthy. The only reason I question now is because of my childs comments of her g-ma stalking her. She also reported that my child was out of state to the IRS, which means nothing to them because I maintained a home for her while she was away. This is what alerted me to the fact that she was out of state and with her gma.

    Thanks for your comments.. the restraining order is what I plan to pursue.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    2,773

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    Quote Quoting momx2
    View Post
    She did not run a way from a bad home or a abusive parent she ran away because her father and I divorced that coupled with her anxiety, bipolar and ADD I am sure she felt like she could not deal and just wanted to escape.
    I understand perfectly, except from the other side. Although I wasn't diagnosed bi-polar until my mid 30's I've been bipolar my whole life. I had a wonderful childhood, great parents, etc, but with my depression I couldn't see any of that and from the age of 14 to 16 I ran away from home 15 times.

    Hang in there, things will get better, it certainly did for me and my family.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Harboring a Runaway

    Thank you very much for sharing. It means a lot!! With my daughters medication we have already experienced improvements in our communication and her overall motivation and understanding. I am just happy to have her home.

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