Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
15 year old girl in Washington state
I have a 15 year old friend in the state of washington that ran away for five days recently, due to a fight she had with her parents in which her mother told her to leave. Over that past three years that I have known her is is very quiet and on edge, as if frightened. She states that when her father drinks he will occasionally go into rages and become both mentally and physically abusive. I do not know if this is true I have never seen brusies but I have met his father, and believe he is more than capable of such abuse. My mother took her home and stayed while they spoke to her mother who didn't even hug her when she returned home, stating ''there was time for that later'' About an hour after my mother ''heard her father slam into the house'' he decided to join them. He procedded to threaten my friends boyfriend and attempt to intimadate my mother. How should we go about attempting to get her removed from her current living situation?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: 15 year old girl in Washington state
What you are describing sounds like you think there is abuse going on in your friend's home, perpetrated by the father and either condoned or purposely overlooked by the mother whom for whatever reason is not taking affirmative steps to protect her child.
Your best bet is to get in touch with the local Child Protective Services office near you and make a report. I caution you, if you are a minor, to first discuss this with your parents (you mentioned that your mother tried to help) before doing anything. What you are about to accuse your friend's father of is very serious and could put him behind bars or cause him to lose his job which could have all sorts of unintended consequences, such as your friend losing her home. Worse yet, as crazy as this sounds, frankly, your friend may be exaggerating or flat out lying to get your sympathy.
I am not saying that is the case, but you need to consider these things before making the report. Once you do file a report, CPS will conduct an investigation and if the situation will progress from there. If they determine that the father has abused the child and the mother either will not or refuses for some reason to protect the child, then CPS may recommend removing the child from the family home and placing her with other family or with foster parents pending resolution of the case.
Bottom line: I urge you to seek advice from other adults before you act, but when you do act, be ready to help out to the full extent possible.
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