I am just a by stander trying to help the 18 year old, We Live In Alabama & this girl still goes to school. Her parents kicked her out of the house as of today. Didn't even drive her anywhere she was told she had to walk with all her stuff to wherever they didn't care. She had knee surgery recently & can't walk very well. The parents were so strict they didn't allow a TV in her room, no computer,no phone, didn't allow her to have a vehicle so she could work & they have money, punished her if she did wrong to sleep outside in the freezing cold. And once in the rain. So she lashed out by getting mixed up with the wrong people & shoplifted some makeup at a Retail Store, First Offense, and since then her parents gave her 4 days to get out of the house, she has no money, no vehicle, no other family. I only know her because my son goes to school with her. When she got in trouble shoplifting her parents left her in jail for 4 days didn't show up on her court date locked her out of their home. I brought the girl home to my house she is very sweet and has done nothing but cry. She knows she did wrong she doesn't know what to do. I can't keep her here at my home because I have a 16 yo son. Is it Legal for parents to leave you homeless at 18 yo? I have contacted Dhr but they haven't responded yet. I know she was very wrong for stealing, but first offense and she got kicked out I don't think that is right. Of course that is my opinion. Is it Legal in Alabama does anyone know, I can't find it anywhere online. Thank you!

It is the worst that can be imagined of any parent, esp. when their child is the daughter and that too 18, even as it would have not been little less harsher if she was of less/more age. Indiffernce and harshness towards children are not only immoral, illegitimate but also ILLEGAL, in most of the countries, even as I do not know which country you or for that matter, SHE belongs to. It is out and out a crime. Well, its nice that you provided shelter to that girl and better you also took care that you have a almost-same-age son, and that doubled your onus, and best that you got her away from him.

The more I appreciate you, the more I depriciate the parents, whatever may be the reason behind their such attitude. There are certain psycho-soical, biochemical and other behavioural compulsions under which some parents become hapless and helpless.

I pray for the poor girl!

I guess this is a one sided situation, and you are coming in on the tail end of a family problem. The legal age in AL is l8 to be on your own. Could be you should get both sides of the story and find a way to talk to her parents, of course, you don't want to be in the middle of this but seeing as you have taken her in, I guess you obligated in some way now. You have made it your business now.

Tick

At 18 she is an adult and yes they can disown her like that. Its not right but it is very probably legal. She might be able to sue them for an illegal eviction because as a resident in the home, she is entitled to more notice before being kicked out. But that would take time.

This girl should go to the Guidance counselor of her school on Monday morning and tell them what happened. They can get the proper people involved and provide assistance for her.

We live in the USA, In Alabama... Kahani thank you very much... very helpful and that is all I can do is Pray. I would never throw my kids out with no where to go. But you never know what goes on at home that I haven't heard about. But still no reason for this. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by Kahani Punjab

It is the worst that can be imagined of any parent, esp. when their child is the daughter and that too 18, even as it would have not been little less harsher if she was of less/more age. Indiffernce and harshness towards children are not only immoral, illegitimate but also ILLEGAL, in most of the countries, even as I do not know which country you or for that matter, SHE belongs to. It is out and out a crime. well, its nice that you provided shelter to that girl and better you also took care that you have a almost-same-age son, and that doubled your onus, and best that you got her away from him.

The more I appreciate you, the more I depriciate the parents, whatever may be the reason behind their such attitude. There are certain psycho-soical, biochemical and other behavioural compulsions under which some parents become hapless and helpless.

I pray for the poor girl!

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The country is USA and the state is Alabama, as the OP states. l8 is the legal age to be on your own in AL.

Tick

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Originally Posted by Kahani Punjab

Indiffernce and harshness towards children are not only immoral, illegitimate but also ILLEGAL, in most of the countries, even as I do not know which country you or for that matter, SHE belongs to. It is out and out a crime.

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While I agree with much of what you posted, the above is wrong. The legality of this is very much in question. As noted, at 18 in Alabama (which is part of the US) a person is an adult at 18. As an adult the parents are no longer responsible for the child. The fact that she is still in school might make a difference. Also the fact that she was kicked out with insufficient notice might also make a difference. But it is certainly not certain that their action was illegal. Immoral and reprehensible yes (assuming the OP has the facts straight), but not necessarily illegal.

I mention this because the standards for the legal forums are a bit higher than in other forums. Answers here have to conform to statutory law. You have given good advice so far on this site and we welcome your participation.

Sometimes raising a child with a tough love attitude isn't easy but it's a decision that only the parents can make. If she hadn't made the choices she did then she would still be at home. Outside of clothing, food and a place to sleep children are not owed more then that. A good parent will nurture their child with love and guidance but by the law those are luxuries. It doesn't matter what the parents staus is or how much money they have or are presumed to have they don't have an obligation above the basics should they choose that route.

Letting the child sit in jail is just a consequence of the child's actions and a decision of the parents. Its obvious that at 18 she thinks she can make her own decisions and now she will have to live with that.

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

Sometimes raising a child with a tough love attitude isnt easy but its a decision that only the parents can make. If she hadnt made the choices she did then she would still be at home. Outside of clothing, food and a place to sleep children are not owed more then that. A good parent will nurture thier child with love and guidence but by the law those are luxuries. It doesnt matter what the parents staus is or how much money they have or are presumed to have they dont have an obligation above the basics should they choose that route.

Letting the child sit in jail is just a consequence of the childs actions and a decision of the parents. Its obvious that at 18 she thinks she can make her own decisions and now she will have to live with that.

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I do so agree, cal, what a good way of saying it. Sometimes parents have to initiate tough love because they run up against too many obstacles when the offspring just won't conform or understand any other way.
Tick

Well here is what we found out via the Alabama court system,we need badly to get our 18yr old out of our house the list of things she has done would fill this site... everything from drinking, smoking dope, smashing out our car window when she didn't get what she wanted and trying to get pregnant because and I quote "I just want one" that's just the tip of the iceberg... anyhow turns out in AL at 18 she can leave on her own but we can't make her until she is 19... she is in school but will miss 2-3 days a week and even the school said "not much we can do." courts said only way they can get involved is if she breaks the law. The laws in AL have made it so the kids are almost untouchable, old enough to be a adult and do whatever they want but to young to suffer the consequences. Contact DHR they will beat around the bush with this info but in the end they will confirm this.