Judge Tom

You could contact the police and report him as a runaway. Depending on a number of factors including the size of the police department and the population of the area you live, they may spend some time and resources to locate him. If you know where he’s staying, then of course it’s more likely that they will pick him up. He could be charged as a runaway and have to go to court and face some consequences. If you are concerned about his safety and just want him to return home, perhaps trying a different approach to communicate with him will be effective. If he’s still in school, you could try talking to the school counselor to find out if there are resources available to him and your family and if there’s anything else you can do. Good luck. (Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)