Q: My 15 year old daughter constantly disappears (will return,), steals money from us and I need to know what I can do
She will return after a week, sometimes more, just to steal whatever cash we have in the house and then disappear again. She has had her friends block my phone number and even when an adult knows where she is they won't tell me. She is flunking school, and is begging for emancipation. i have 5 other children that deserve more of my attention without me constantly worrying about her. I tried to involve the court systems while she was in school, but the counselor that met with her told her "What you're doing isn't even that bad compared to the other kids I work with." I am at a loss and don't know what I can do legally to help.
A: I recommend filing unruly charges against her in Juvenile Court and demand that the court give her substantial restrictions and consequences. Turn her in every time she steals from you. I would report any adult that is hiding her out to the authorities. Just be sure your hands are clean, and that she doesn't have a rationale behind her behaviors. I would also enlist the assistance of a licensed clinical psychologist, and forget about counselors.
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A: Ohio does not allow emancipation, and even if it did, it wouldn't seem to help her based on what you said. If she steals, report it to the police. That might get juvenile court involved if she is deemed "unruly" or "delinquent." An unruly child is one that is habitually truant, does not submit to the control of their parents/teachers/guardian, behaves in a way that could injure their health or morals or those of another. A delinquent child is one that violates a law that would be criminal if an adult had committed the offense. The juvenile court put her under house arrest, impose a curfew, or could send her to juvenile detention. Are there any family members that she might listen to? Use the Find a Lawyer tab to contact a local attorney who does juvenile law.
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