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How do I report a runaway child in North Carolina?
Families or law enforcement officers needing immediate assistance can call 1-800-522-KIDS (522-5437). Help find missing North Carolina children.
When can you file a missing persons report NC?
Reporting a Missing Person Contrary to popular myth, there is no waiting period (24 or 72 hours) before you can file a report. In fact, the sooner we have a report the sooner we can work to help locate the missing person. Very few missing peoples are the victim of foul play or some other criminal act.
Is running away at 17 illegal in North Carolina?
Short answer NO. Until you reach the age of majority (18), your parents have dominion over you. If you run away, your parents can have law enforcement retrieve you…
What qualifies as a missing person in NC?
Missing Child—any missing person who is younger than 18 years of age. Missing Person—any person whose whereabouts are unknown, whatever the circumstances of the disappearance. A missing person is considered as such until located and the well-being of the person is established.
Is it legal for a child to run away?
Many states have laws on how to deal with runaway children and consequences for their actions. Any child who is a minor and is not emancipated who runs away from home is considered to be breaking the law in certain states. There are nine states with runaway laws regarding minor.
Do police have a waiting period before taking a runaway report?
Federal Law prohibits any law enforcement agency from establishing a waiting period before accepting a runaway-child report. Police enter the runaway’s name and physical description into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC). Runaways who are fleeing an abusive situation and do not want to return home should tell police about the abuse.
What happens to runaway children when they turn 18?
Parents remain responsible for caring for the runaway child until the child reaches 18 years of age or is emancipated. People that harbor runaway children may face arrest in many states. They may be charged for harboring a runaway or contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
What happens if a minor runs away from home?
If a minor continues to runaway frequently, they can be labeled as a habitual runaway. With this the courts may order that the child is in need of supervision. This is ordered because the court has determined that the parents are not capable of taking care of the child.