Can a 17-year-old girl legally move in with a 20-year-old male in the state of South Carolina?

Answer 1

I think in most states you would need parnetal consent. The 20 year old could in to trouble without it. Call the local court house or family lawyer that gives free phone consultations.

You cannot legally move out before the age of 18 without parental consent. South Carolina�s Children�s Code defines a 'child' as anyone under the age of 18, and specifically states that running away from home is a 'status offense' (meaning something that is against the law for a child, but not for an adult).

If you leave home before the age of 18, your parents can report you as a runaway, and your boyfriend could get into trouble for taking you in. He could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and fornication (the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman, both being unmarried). I will admit that fornication is one of those laws that�s rarely enforced, but it is still on the books, and I imagine if Mom and Dad caused a big enough fuss they could have it enforced. In addition, there could be other charges that he might be facing that I�m unaware of. Do you really want to take a chance on the man getting into legal trouble and spending time in jail?

Technically it is illegal. However, the age of sexual consent laws of S.C. would not make such a relationship subject to prosecution. neither would S.C. compulsory education laws apply. Therefore, though not strictly legal it would be unlikely that the authorities would intervene, unless circumstances indicated coercion or exploitation. The parents however might be able to initiate "remand and cure" actions under applicable civil codes.