say if an 18 year old was to run away and left a note for his/her parents and then his/her parents called the cops for help, will the cops really take it seriously even if him/her said they would come back after a while?
2007-10-27 14:44:21 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Over 18, the police will take a missing person report, and use the note as evidence.
Because the person running away is legally an adult, it really isn't considered running away.
2007-10-27 14:49:17 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
An 18 year old is an adult and is free to go where they want. Unless there is an articuable reason for concern, such as a mental health or medical issue then the police will not officially consider them a missing person or runaway.
However, we do deal with this exact thing very often and what we will sometimes do, depending on the whole situation, is do what is called a "well being check" where we will attempt to find the "missing" person and check on their well being and pass along the parents concerns and their desire to have them come back home. Depending on the circumstances we may do this just within our own area or may send an AM message to other areas requesting the well being check.
Some departments may simply do nothing at all because, as stated, an 18 yo is an adult and free to make their own decisions and there is no real obligation for police officers to do anything, but I think many departments realize that even at 18+ (technically an adult but many still "kids") people can quickly end up in some really bad situations.
We have no authority to make them go home but will at least check on them. The parents (the taxpayers that pay our salaries) in my opinion deserve at least a response to their concerns. We explain that we can not make their son/daughter come home but will try to check on them and most understand. This type of situation is generally a low priority and the amount of work we will do with it depends very much upon the situation and how busy we are.
If the parents just simply do not like that their child has not obeyed them then that is not our job but if they can give any real reasons for concern then we will check into it.
This is just my personal experience with my department others may be different.
2007-10-27 15:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by CountyMounty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as an 18 year old running away from home. 18 is an adult in the US, so no, the cops wouldn't do anything, and you really have to question what is wrong with the parents in that family if A) their 18 year old "runs away" and B) if the parents consider calling the police about it!
2007-10-27 14:53:02 · answer #3 · answered by theseeker4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only a D U M B A $ $ 18 yr old would run away from free room and board. Even if they file a missing person report...and he gets stopped...all he has to say is he has left of his own free will and they let him go.
2007-10-27 15:37:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you want to do something like that?
To get your parents, and loved ones, to worry.
The cops, will probably take the report, but I don't think they will issue an amber alert. You are not under age.
Think about what, what you could be doing to yourself, as well as others. Believe, me there nothing out there for you. You are much safer at home, with your love ones.
2007-10-27 14:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by That one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. At 18, a person is emancipated and can move as he or she wants. However, if the parents don't tell the police about the note, and file a missing persons report, the police may respond.
2007-10-27 14:48:33 · answer #6 · answered by miziejean 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An 18 year old can't "run away from home" because that is a statutory offense. An 18 year old just leaves home
2007-10-27 15:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by Gray Wanderer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, its groundless. In all 50 states a person is an adult at 18. They'll have to think of something better such as you being mentally unstable to the extent of suicide or perhaps a diabetic not taking your medication.
2007-10-27 14:58:15 · answer #8 · answered by genghis1947 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cops will take a missing person report. They will probably not go out searching for the person, but they will keep it on their records.
If you are considering this, it's probably not a good idea because it will cause problems for your future.
2007-10-27 17:48:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if, someone close to you feels strongly that you are in danger, other then that, you are an adult when you are 18 years old. You can fight for your country, vote, and buy cigarettes, anyway, you are an adult, you can live with any loser you want to. By the way, I need a roommate so if it doesn't work out email me ; )
2007-10-27 14:52:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋