runaway is a minor (someone under the age of 18) who leaves home without a parent’s or guardian’s permission, and is gone from the home overnight. In most states, running away is not a crime; however, runaways and their parents or guardians can face legal consequences. Adults who encourage or hide runaways can be charged with a crime.
Parents are legally responsible for caring for their minor children, even when the child is not living at home. For example, parents can be responsible for their child’s truancy (an unexcused absence from school) when the child has run away. Parents should call the runaway’s school daily to report the child’s absence and let the school know that the child is a reported runaway.Getting Help Before Running Away
Not all minors who leave home are runaways. The term throwaways (or thrownaways) refers to minors who have been forced by their parents or guardians to leave their homes without alternate care arranged. Because the distinction between runaways and throwaways is not always clear, this article uses the term runaway to refer to both situations.
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) serves as the communication system for runaway and homeless youth. NRS provides free, confidential advice and referrals to local services for runaways and their parents and guardians in all 50 states. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY for immediate assistance.
Is Running Away Illegal?
A minority of states classify running away from home as a status offense. A status offense is an act that is a violation of law only because of a youth’s status as a minor. (Additional status offenses include truancy; violating curfew; underage use of alcohol; and being “ungovernable,” or beyond the control of parents or guardians.) Consequences for status offenses include counseling and education, driver’s license suspensions, fines and restitution, and placement with someone other than a parent or guardian.
Risk Factors for Running Away
Minors run away for complex reasons. The National Center for Mission and Exploited Children and the National Runaway Safeline have identified factors that put youth at an increased risk of running away:
- family dynamics (divorce, remarriage, problems with siblings, foster care)
- abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal) and neglect
- alcohol and drug use
- suicidal suicidal thoughts or behavior
- self-harm
- medical and mental health conditions, and
- conflict about sexual orientation or gender identity.
