cousin runs away yet again

United States
July 15, 2008 10:38am CST
Ok I don't recall ever posting anything in this sort but here is the story.. A about two months ago I was informed that my 15 year old cousin was up in my area at a boys home cause of so much trouble he got in where he lives.. At the time I was informed he ran away.. We spent a number of hours searching and looking for him and finally after 6 hours we found him wondering the streets lost.. So with that being done they took him back where he was from and put him in another home... Yet again he ran away.. So they bring him back up here 4 hours away from his normal home and he's doing good up until two days ago.. I would give him home visits to my house so that he can get out from all the boys and have some freedom.. This morning I get a phone call from his mom saying that he ran away Sunday night.. Why I don't know, No one does.. She asked me if I heard from him and I told her no in which I haven't.. I know the last time he ran away he was talking about going to a bigger town for what ever reason, My hopes is that he didn't.. I know he wouldn't survive there.. Anyway I am on my way to go and see if I can find him, Being the town as big as it is I am not sure if i will be able too.. I know he will come back though he has before when he got hungry and extreamly tired.. I know that when kids run away and are in a home they get a thingy on there ankles to track them when they do run away.. I am wondering if that is the best option for them to do with him sense he won't stop running.. His reasoning is he wants to go home.. I've told him over and over be a good kid do what they say and it will happen.. He is suppose to go home in 4 months.. You'd think by now he'd do as he's told and want to listen to do just that.. I guess I am just not understanding why kids run away.. Any idea's? And if this was a family member of your's how would deal with this?
3 responses
Feona1962
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Hi Wisconsin... I am sorry to hear that your cousin is running away... Just a few questions... Where are his parents? Why has he been placed in the boy's home? Has anyone visited the boy's home to see how they treat the kids? Is he having problems with the other boys? Maybe there is a bully kid that picks on him.... Maybe nobody is actually listening to what he needs... I almost think that the boys home is NOT where he needs to be...He maybe needs more one-on-one with a mentor....big brother type person..... Why can't he go home sooner...due to all the running away, won't that just put his going home time further and further away?.... I wish I had more advice to offer...If I think of anything else I will let you know......hugs to you...
Feona1962
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Hi Wisconsin...I didn't read the responses above mine first....sorry about that...doesn't sound like the parents care...that is a big problem right there...
checapricorn
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
15 Jul 08
HI wisconsin, That is very tiring..LOL! to find someone and you don't know where to find him..Aside that tiring, expensive also for the gas! LOL! ANyway, I admire your genuine heart for your cousin..and hope you will be able to find him! If that is my Cousin, I will do the same, advice him, talk to him heart to heart,let him understand that he needs to be considerate also with the family..Every time he will run away everybody will be bug to look for him and if he will continue doing it, Maybe he wants to be grounded! LOL!
wisconsin26
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I did look today and didn't manage to find him anywhere.. I am thinking though after a few days of him being on the streets with no food, money or anything to drink he will go back to the home.. It's sad his parents won't even bother coming up here to find there son.. Because they know that he will come back sooner or later.. I am thinking though if he is still gone by Saturday they will be coming up here to look again.. Thanks for you reply and yes it is very tiring for sure..
sunita64
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
15 Jul 08
Sometimes when kids are afraid then they run away from home. For example there was a kid who failed in exams so along with one of his classmate, who has also failed they went to station and randomly boarded a train, one old person saw them and asked where they are going by that time they had started missing home so told him the truth and he brought them back. After that they never escaped.
wisconsin26
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
15 Jul 08
Thank you for your reply... This is the 3rd time though he's done it, I think it's becoming a habit, Yes the first time I was extreamly scared for him not knowing where he's at anything, the second time he ran it was because he was to smoke this time I have no idea why he ran... However he did tell me that the adults in the home were being mean to the kids.. One kid that is there had a chair thrown at him because he wouldn't listen.. I told my cousin he needed to tell someone like his social worker so that they can deal with this... It makes me wonder though if something like this happened to him and that's why he ran.. I just don't know..