I live in St. Lawrence County in NYS with my 14 yr old daughter. She has a friend that is 16 yr old and will be 17 next month. She lives with her mother that is abusive and wants to live with me because her biological father lives out of the school district. He doesn't have a problem with it. Her mom on the other hand does not want her to and forced her to go bak home to care for her siblings and do her chores. No mention of missing her or love when she came to get her. She had a lot of accusations that it is my daughter's fault.

When is a child old enough to leave home as long as there is a warm and dry place for her to stay and a roof over her head? And people that love her and are responsible for her?

The answer to your question is never. A CHILD cannot make that decision. Only a court can. Once she is no longer a child (age 18) she can then decide where to live.

Until that time the custodial parent has control. If you let her move in, you can be accused of kidnapping, alieantion and behavior detrimental to a minor.

However, all is not lost. If there is a history of abuse, it needs to be documented. You can then go with the girl to your local child protection services agency and make a report saying that you are willing to foster the girl. The agency will make an investigation and may decide to place her with you.