Q: I live with my dad and he is mentally abusive to me mostly. I babysit my 2 siblings from 8 to 10 hours a day. I’m 15
I get no compensation. I don’t want my dad to get into trouble and get my siblings taken away. I want to know what my options are to get out of my house. Could I move in with a different family member? Would I get in trouble legally for leaving?
A: You generally have only two options - let your mother know so she can Petition the court for a change of custody or report that you are being abused to children's services or a school counselor or your doctor. If you report abuse there will be an investigation and you and your siblings could be removed from your father's care is the abuse appears to be substantiated. You can run away but if you go to another person's house and your dad legally has custody under a court order anyone else can be charged with custodial interference if they try to prevent your father from taking you home. If your father doesn't try to take you home, then it might work. But you still have to protect your siblings so you would end up calling children's protective services anyway.
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