Tallahassee, FL asked in Family Law for Florida

Q: Harboring a runaway from dad who lives in homeless shelter. Mom knows, and sent a pick up. Im 21, he's 17. Florida.

My friend is 17 and I am 21. He currently lives with his father in a homeless shelter in tallahassee. His mother (also legal guardian) who lives in south florida knew he ran away and was staying with us. She sent someone to pick him up to bring him to her. He turned himself in to the cops after his father called the police. His dad said he could press charges on us for harboring a runaway, but with a legal guardian (Mother) approving his staying with us, and sending transportation to retrieve him... could i be charged?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Robert Jason De Groot
Robert Jason De Groot
Answered
  • Deltona, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: This factual scenario is very hard to follow. There are many things going on and it depends upon the facts as to what can happen and what crime might be charged. It is a third degree felony to interfere with custody of a child. That carries a potential but unlikely 5 years in prison punishment.

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