Questions about getting a minor out of a toxic home.?

I don't know the laws and stuff for this, but I do know that if a parent is causing their son to go out and try to kill himself, and miss out on needed dental work and foot surgery, that is more than enough to get him emancipated. That could even lead to his parents being fined and/or thrown in jail for neglecting him. The judge wouldn't turn that down, I'm sure. There are steps he will need to take, and I advise you to find someone local who can lead you through the process. Please, do it soon. Do he and his sister need to be together? Is he able to go stay where she is staying until a judge grants the emancipation? His friend who saved his life (thank God he was around) can testify that for him, and the counselor can talk as well. After he is emancipated there is legally nothing your sister can do, and she may realize it then. He may be able to live with you at that point if it otherwise worked out, because legally they would have no control over him. Someone needs to be there for this boy and show him that things can change though. I was once put into abusive situations, as well as emotional. It was hard, and it still is. It's hard to be social. It's hard to feel loved and to feel like anyone can really care for me, but he really just needs someone there to SHOW him that it can be. Take him to church with you, encourage him, maybe get him doing something like playing an instrument or taking an art class if he hasn't done something like that already. Keep him in doing the things he loves. I know it isn't your responsibility to do the job his parents should have done in the first place, but he's almost 18, and he won't be a minor for much longer. He will need someone to look up to and to know he can confide in and trust, as he should with his mother and father. God bless you for doing what you can to help him. Please do it soon. I don't want it to grow into physical abuse or him taking his own life, as I'm sure you don't. It isn't worth it to let someone rip you down to where you think that's your only hope. Be sure you get this boy into counseling, and not just a school one. I'm sure you can find financial aid to cover it. And either way in the end him keeping his own life and learning to grow through it is worth any amount of money right? He needs to learn to take his pain and transfer it into something wonderful. Maybe helping out with animals would help. I draw, and I used to write a lot. I also do charity work at food shelves. It helps me to cope. I advise you also contact child protective services.

Sorry for my long response. I just hate to see things like this happen.

Hi Amy, not sure what state you are in-(geographically) but, in Ct. where I am:

Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect: If you suspect a child is being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, or is in danger of being abused, call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline which is staffed by child protective staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll free number is 1-800-842-2288. Also, see the child abuse and neglect definitions that are part of this website.

I am quite sure you have access to the same services in your state. (Google -deptartment of children and familes and add your state)

I'm not sure why there are so many telling you to get the kid emancipated- at sevnteen, coming out of a dysfunctional household and having been abused!? Does'nt sound like sage advice. How could he possibly take care of himself??? Anywho-good luck, happy spring!!

He will need to fill out paper work with the courts to become emancipated minor first. What that does is remove all his parents rights over him, they will have no say where he goes or does anymore. And he should need no more than the cops to begin with but he has you. And he can get help through child services or even cash assistance, and check with some churches they will help also.

He is 17 he could legally move out and take care of himself if he so chose. Anybody who still tells you "oh he's not 18" does not know the law. At 17 you are legally considered an adult with the exception of buying tobacco products, and alcohol. There is absolutely nothing anybody could legally do if he just up and left where he was staying. Nothing.

Get him a lawyer and get him emancipated.