Moving out in Texas... I have a girlfriend who is beaten by her stepdad

[pbboy18]

So I have a girl friend who is beaten by her stepdad and she wants to move out she is 17.We live in Texas. Could I get in trouble for her staying with me? Will she be made to go back home? What if she sends them a text so its in writing that she is leaving and not running away? We have some photos of where he hit her is that good enough to get her out? She doesn't want to put them in jail for the abuse.

[AFFA]

re: Moving out in Texas... I have a girlfriend who is beaten by her stepdad

I wish to inform you that the Texas Civil Practice And Remedies Code 129.001 - Age of Majority stipulates the age of majority at 18 years. If your girl friend at the age of 17 years moves out without parental consent and comes and stays with you then you could be held liable under the provisions of § 25.06. HARBORING RUNAWAY CHILD as criminally negligent. Your girlfriend may go to court to have "disabilities of minority removed". She may inform the court about the beating by her step dad. She should be capable of financially supporting herself. The court always considers the best interest of the child. The court will consider all the facts and decide the matter.

AFF

[Disagreeable]

re: Moving out in Texas... I have a girlfriend who is beaten by her stepdad

It does not sounds like you are any swifter than she. Leaving is running away. You would be harboring a runaway. If she is being abused, she needs to contact childrens services.

[Friend In Court]

Re: Moving out in Texas... I have a girlfriend who is beaten by her stepdad

So I have a girl friend who is beaten by her stepdad and she wants to move out she is 17.We live in Texas. Could I get in trouble for her staying with me? Will she be made to go back home? What if she sends them a text so its in writing that she is leaving and not running away? We have some photos of where he hit her is that good enough to get her out? She doesn't want to put them in jail for the abuse.

Your girlfriend does not have her priorities straight, yet. But then she's only 17. Yes, she has to live at home. She can be made to return and being a runaway does her no good.

The abuse by her stepdad should have been reported and it is not too late. She needs to file a report. Abusers do not stop but only get worse. If she gets it, most likely her mom is being beaten, too. Her loyalties are misplaced. She owes her stepdad who beat her nothing! Nothing but making him pay the price.

Urge her to report the abuse to CPS and the police. Since she has photos, or you do, this is all the evidence needed plus her testimony that he was the one who did it.

Being the victim not just of abuse, but putting herself at odds with the law, victim second time around does not serve her interests. If you love the girl, reinforce what she knows deep down to do the right thing. Stand up. And stand up for herself. She has a right to set her boundaries and being hit and being abused is WAY over that line. You can help her muster up her courage to do the right thing and tell the whole truth of what he did to her. Her mother will benefit in the long run, too.