By Shawn C. Marsh, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer of Juvenile Law, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
When it comes to inflation and trains, being on “runaway” status presents a major risk for disaster. The same is true for runaway children who come to the attention of juvenile and family courts. There is little doubt runaways are some of the most vexing cases judges face – particularly when the child is chronically engaged in this behavior, is resistant to intervention and presents at least some risk of harm to themselves or others. Historically, some courts have rationalized the use of detention in these cases as a means to teach the child a lesson, or because there are no other readily identifiable intervention options.