Q: A month away from 18 my parents signed custody to an abusive bootcamp. After turning 18 I was forced to stay.
My parents just had kids and wanted me gone. They sent me to North Carolina to an abusive wilderness program. At 18 I stated that I wanted to leave. They refused to let me leave. They said that if I tried that I would die In the forest alone. The contract my parents signed relieved them of all responsibility of harm to me and for some reason stated they could keep me until 19. I had no choice but to stay. I’m 22 now and I’ll never be the same as before that place. There is no authority or regulation in the middle of the North Carolina woods. We were not allowed to speak and physically we all collapsed at some point. Many deaths have occurred throughout the years there. Basically I was threatened when I turned 18 and said I was going to leave. Also, they decide when we get to discharge while we played there mind games. Can my parents really sign a contract forcing me to stay somewhere until I was 19? I’m guessing not since they threatened me on my 18th birthday when I tried.
A: Once you turn 18 years old you are an emancipated adult and can go wherever you please. If you were held against your will, it may have been false imprisonment until you were released. You don’t indicate how old you were when you got away from that place, but I suggest you contact a good civil rights lawyer, or even the ACLU and ask for their help. But do not delay any further, because there are statutes of limitations which may be already running out on you.
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