17 Year Old Runaway in Louisiana

[LDOOGIE]

What is the name of your state? Louisiana
I have a daughter who turned 17 on September 10. On October 10, she decided that she didn't want to live with her parents anymore. She said that she is an adult and doesn't need anyone telling her what to do. I have also found out that she has started using drugs. I have called the police, but they have told me that there is nothing they can do for me. They say that in Louisiana a 17 year old is considered an adult and can do whatever they want to including quitting school. Luckily she hasn't quit school yet.
Her 22 year old sister thought that she could play mediator and provide her a safe place to stay until she came to her senses. WRONG!! She made it 15 days before telling her sister that she acts as bad as we do. So she left and moved in with a friend and her mother. This so called mother never knows where her kid is or cares.
We live in a small town so I have talked to all of the police in the area. I told them that I know she is doing drugs and asked them to stop her when they see her. I asked them to search her and whoever is with her and to please arrest them all.
I really don't know what else to do, so I'm looking for some type of legal loophole or something.
Thanks in advance...

 

[BelizeBreeze]

While your daughter CAN drop out of school at 17, the police are wrong to tell you she is a legal adult and can make up her own mind. The age of majority in Louisiana is 18.

Return to the police station and ask to speak to the chief of police. Inform him that if she isn't picked up as a runaway immediately, you will file a complaint with the state Highway patrol.

Then follow through.

 

[OhBullship]

Did you inform the police of the drug use, or only that she ran away? What proof of drug use do you have?

 

[LDOOGIE]

She left on foot because I wouldn't give her car keys to her. I searched her car and found ashes in a cup. I had the police look at it when they came to my house and they said it was pot.
I have already talked to the chief of police and he is the one that said there is nothing I can do. What exactly do I tell the state police when I call?
Also, can she legally quit school without my consent in La.?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

You file a runaway report and a complaint against your local police department.

 

[LDOOGIE]

I have called the city police and told them what you said. They say they are going to call the DA and if he agrees with you, they will gladly pick her up and return her home. I also told them that I will file a complaint with the State Police if they don't. I'm waiting to hear from them now. Will keep you posted.
Thanks alot....

 

[Corday]

LDOOGIE, I agree that you need to go BACK to the police. I'm in Texas and went through the same thing. Only when I called my county District Attorney did the police give in and go pick up my son. Before that, they LIED to me that "a 17-year-old can't be picked up."

(I'm a Lafayette, Louisiana native, even though I am in Texas now.)

You keep acting like a parent who MEANS IT and WANTS her child back, and the police will HAVE to stop treating you like so many of those parents who really don't care. I don't know why the police always assume a 17-year-old is a lost cause from a family that must be worse than the street. Shame on those police and the supervisors who steer them wrong at such cost to our children. Not too heroic, is it.

 

[LDOOGIE]

The DA told the police that they could NOT pick her up. The city cop then called the state juvenile department who also said they couldn't pick her up. I then did as instructed and called the state police who put me in contact with another state agency who said they could not pick her up. They all have the same story-Opposing laws and socalled grey areas governing 17 year olds. I felt I was out of options because she disappeared from school yesterday and some of her classmates said they thought she might be suicidal. I called the coroner and he had the police pick her up and commit her for psychiatric evaluation. Only problem with that is that if the doctors don't decide that she is suicidal, they have to release her in 72 hours. Then she is back on the street.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

The DA told the police that they could NOT pick her up. The city cop then called the state juvenile department who also said they couldn't pick her up. I then did as instructed and called the state police who put me in contact with another state agency who said they could not pick her up. They all have the same story-Opposing laws and socalled grey areas governing 17 year olds. I felt I was out of options because she disappeared from school yesterday and some of her classmates said they thought she might be suicidal. I called the coroner and he had the police pick her up and commit her for psychiatric evaluation. Only problem with that is that if the doctors don't decide that she is suicidal, they have to release her in 72 hours. Then she is back on the street.

Then you need to move from that backwater state. You live with idiots.

 

[msldystrkr]

You are in a tug of war with your daughter and the more you tug the more she will run. What you can hope for in these next 72 hours is to make peace with her, listen to her and try to get her to come home on her own. If she refuses then you can only keep your eyes and ears open and try to keep up with her.

The main objective is to keep the lines of communication open. She is 17 and believes she is adult enough to handle her life. Now you have to trust your own teachings and hope she makes the right choices in life. She also needs to know that if she makes bad choices then you will do your best to help and advise her BUT you can only do so much.

It is hard to let your children go especially when you see what is happening and don't like it one bit.

 

[VR_Hunter]

It is hard, hard, hard, but don't give up. You ARE doing the right thing. Do everything you can. Someday, hopefully, she will understand and thank you. She will only cuss right now, but keep up the great work. I support you in spirit. A lot of parents would have already quit. Kudos.