If a child runs away in Texas is the parent still legally and financially responsible for them?

Answer 1

yes, but..This is a fairly complicated answer, so let me first say that the answer depends on many factors that I couldn't possibly cover in the time I'm willing to spend answering these (I.e. What the event was, where it was, what the parent did to prevent it, etc).

EXAMPLEIf your minor child is doing a normal act, during a normal day, at a time he should be doing it, with adequate supervision - and accidentally damages your neighbors car, the parent would actually not be held liable.

You have to understand that if the parent does everything socially expected and correct for the child to prevent such damages from occurring, the parent isn't financially liable. At this point, the child would become liable.

So the question would be, what are you doing to prevent your child from causing damages to other people, or her/himself? As the parent you are normally held liable for the child's action's, in societies eye. You most likely will never be held criminally responcible for what your child does, but in civil law (financial law) it's possible.

No, the parents are not responsible as long as they file an absentee minor report with authorities.

The mere fact that a minor leaves home against parental permission does not mean the parents have not done whatever possible to control the youth.

Since parents cannot physically restrain a child unless the child is trying to harm themselves or someone else, it is ludicrous to believe that a parent could keep a minor from simply "walking out the door."

If the parents file a report with the appropriate agency they are not going to be held liable for any actions of the minor child while said minor is not in their custody.