Q: If my oldest child were 18+ & coerced by manipulation my younger child a minor into running away could I press charges?
Ex. My oldest has several mental health issues and oppositional defiance disorder. Once she moved out, it would be plausible she would 'get back at us' (parents) by manipulating and convincing her little sister to run away and come stay with her when things at our house were 'unfair' or the younger one were being punished. Could I press charges on her (the older sister) for keeping a minor at her house without parental permission? What is the time increment? Hours? Days? Thank you.
This is a serious legal question about a mentally ill person, and not about 'using law enforcement to solve parenting problems'!
A:
It is a defense to prosecution for Harboring a Runaway Child that the actor was related to the child within the second degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code. See section 25.06(b) of the Texas Penal Code.
A sibling relationship is the second degree of consanguinity. See section 573.023(c)(2) of the Texas Government Code.
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