If a 17 year old leaves home 4 months early against their parents wishes...?

Question

I have a friend whose parents are moving far away and she is generally pretty unhappy with her family & parents where she lives now. She can move in with her boyfriend and his sister and her daughter. She'll still continue high school and she'll get a job in the area right away.

But when she leaves and her mother sees that all her stuff is gone and she isn't coming back... her mum will call the cops after she realizes threatening her(my friend) isn't working. What will the cops do?

If they find where she lives I guess they'll pay her a visit and either handcuff her and force her to come back...or talk with her to see if she is being abused. No, she isn't abused but her and her parents are very distant..and she'll leave the moment she turns 18 either way so why bother dragging her back if she'll be miserable and leave soon enough anyway?

Should she suck it up for another 2 months or so? or will the cops not bother? I've seen them turn a blind eye to kids leaving 2 WEEKS early but never 2-4 months.

Answer 1

It depends on what cops respond. They'll definitely check in on it because she'll be considered a runaway probably but considering her age, they might be lenient and encourage her to talk to her parents. If really tough, by the law cops come then they'll most likely take her back to her parents without giving her the decision.

Answer 2

17 year old will be listed as a runaway. When she is found she will be returned home. Real easy to find people if you know how.

Boyfriend and anyone else helping her, can and will be charged with harboring a runaway, contributing to the delinquency of a minor etc.

Tell her to suck it up. 4 months is nothing.