Legal Question in Family Law in Oklahoma

Runaway teen, drugs

My 15 yr.old ran away. While someone was allowing him to stay in their home he got into their med cabinet. He got sick, was taken to the E.R. and treated as well as drug tested, (positive for pot and Zanax) without me being notified. The people he was staying with then kicked him out and did not inform me of any of this. His mother, (my ex) was aware of some of this also but did not contact me. She also knew he was at the home I finally found him at. It is the home of my daughter's boyfriend, (daughter lives with my ex) My son was high when I found him there and stated mom had brought him clothes and that she came there because it's where she gets her pot. Of course now that he's caught the boy wants to live with mom.

I know my son needs help, I'm working on that.

Are these other persons liable for allowing and concealing this from me?

Am I responsible for the bill?

Any other opinions or things I should consider?

Thank You,

W. Moore


Asked on 9/25/08, 4:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Wayne Allison Allison Legal, LLC

Re: Runaway teen, drugs

Sounds like you have the first priority: see if you can get your 15 year old son some help. Beyond that, the items you describe include some of a criminal nature (e.g., buying pot); also, if your ex-wife was indeed aware of what was going on, you may have some cause to legally restrict her time/custody of the minor child. As for responsiblity for the medical bills, you may consider your ex-wife's duty to help with that. Also, if your son is covered by a health insurance plan, the bills should be sent for processing, which may still leave you with a balance due, but the policy should cover something.

As for liability, ask yourself: (1) who had a legal duty; (2) did they breach that duty, and how; (3) did the breach cause harm; (4) quantify and define the harm. If you're thinking someone was negligent, you need all four items to prove it.

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Answered on 9/25/08, 5:21 pm


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