Q: I have a 17 year old “runaway” that is living with me and my family. His father, and possibly mother, wants him home.
This 17 year old former soccer player that I’ve coached left his parent’s home and asked if I could help... he is currently staying with me and my wife (& 3 children). He is less than two months away from turning 18. His father is an alcoholic, and has been abusive- physically, verbally, and emotionally. There is a history with both law enforcement and DCFS; however, at some point, the minor is eventually sent back home. Following this last incident (which did not involve the police or DCFS), the 17 year old reached out to me for assistance. The next day, I met with both parents and the the teenager in an attempt to talk things through to a solution. The 17 year old is clearly fearful of his father, and his mother displays a tremendous amount of fear as well. After the meeting, both parents initially agreed to allow the individual to stay with me; however, after a week, the father is now threatening hospitalization for psychiatric evaluation. Any advice is greatly appreciated
A: You indicate that "both parents initially agreed to allow the individual to stay with me; however, after a week, the father is now threatening hospitalization for psychiatric evaluation. " I don't understand what you mean by "now threatening hospitalization for psychiatric evaluation" (hospitalization of the father or of the son?), but what you do not indicate is whether the parents have changed their mind about their son living with you. If one or both of them have, you need to get an attorney for the purposes of filing a petition with the court.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
