Q: 14 year old living in my home for 2M. Min contact with biomom. Can biomom force her to come home if she doesn’t want to
14YO has expressed she doesn’t want to go back to her mom. Mom and 2 brothers are in a 1BR RV. 14YO has been here for over 2 months. Not sure what to do.
A:
Texas Penal Code Section 25.06, defines harboring a runaway child as knowingly concealing or sheltering a minor and showing indifference to their status.
That means you didn’t act in a reasonable way to find out if the kid:
Was under 18 years of age; and
Had escaped the custody of a peace officer, probation officer, the Texas Youth Council, or a detention facility; or
Had voluntarily left home without permission from their parent
If you violate this law, you could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction carries with it up to 1 year in prison and/or up to $4,000 in fines.
Kiele Linroth Pace agrees with this answer
A:
Yes, bio-mom can force 14 year old to come home.
If the child is being abused or neglected the proper step is to contact child protective services.
If you keep the child without taking proper steps you could be charged with a criminal offense for harboring a runaway.
Please keep in mind that this is general information and is for educational purposes only. You should contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation.
Kiele Linroth Pace agrees with this answer
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