Legal Question in Family Law in New Mexico

Legally you are required to obey your parents until you are 18. If you leave they can use the resources of the law to require your return. Any body who helps you hide from your parents could be subject to civil action for interference with custody.

In practice it's pretty hard for parents to find and return underage runaways in a short time. But before you decide to leave without permission let me tell you that it's a very dangerous place out there for runaways. It may seem like a fun adventure and a relief but being on the run and afraid of the police and your parents means that if somebody wants to hurt you or take advantage of you, you won't have anybody to turn to for help. And whether you're a girl or a boy, on the streets and on the run you will need help. So I'd like to explore some less dangerous options.

The first advice is always to try to discuss the situation with your parents. I presume that if you felt that you could do that you would not have asked me for help. But you have other resources available to you. Try the counselor in your school, even if you are no longer enrolled you can still get some quick advice or a pointer who to go to. Look in the phone book yellow pages under counselling services. You can talk to the youth pastor in a church or other place of worship to get some advice - try that even if you don't go to a church regularly. If you have relatives nearby you may be able to convince one to take you in until you finish school, with the permission of your parents. Perhaps the parents of a friend would make that deal.

Below I've attached a list of numbers for hotlines and counselling services. Whatever you do, please don't just take off. Ask for help.

Agora Crisis Center

Teen and Family Helpline

1716 Las Lomas NE

Albuquerque, NM 87131

Hotline: (866) 435-7166

Hotline: (505) 277-3013

Web: Agora Crisis Center

El Refugio, Inc.

800 South Roberts Street

Silver City, NM 88061

Hotline: (888) 538-2125

Hotline: (505) 538-2125;

Fax: (505) 538-0495

Maternal Child Health Council

Hidalgo Health Link Van Services

807 Main Street

Lordsburg, NM 88045

Hotline: (888) 538-2125

Phone: (505) 542-3541

Pueblo of Laguna

Laguna Family Services

Family Crisis and Emergency Hotline

Family Shelter Helpline

P.O. Box 194

Old Laguna, NM 87026

Hotline: (800) 530-2199

Laguna Police Department for LFS On Call Person: (505) 552-6695

Phone: (505) 552-9702

Phone: (505) 552-6654

New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence

201 Coal Avenue SW

Albuquerque, NM 87102

Hotline: (800) 773-3645

Phone: (505) 246-9240

Fax: (505) 246-9434

Directory of Local Crisis Hotlines by County:

Web: New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence

New Mexico Department of Health

1190 St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, NM 87502

Children, Youth and Families Department

Child Abuse Prevention and Crisis Hotline: (800) 797-3260

Hotline in in Albuquerque: (505) 841-6100

Elder Abuse Hotline: (800) 752-8649

Web: Children, Youth and Families Department