No, it is not illegal to disappear without telling anyone in the United States, only if you’re an adult. In the past, there have been many cases where people have disappeared willingly without telling anyone and because they were adults, no legal action was taken against them. But that doesn’t mean it is as simple as that, there are a few legal sides you should consider and this post is all about that.
So, Can You Really Just Walk Out of Your Life?
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. If you are an adult in the United States, it is possible for you to silently depart from your life. There isn’t any law that requires you to give notice to your family, friends, or the authorities. As a grown-up, relocating, making a new start, or breaking off the connection is within the scope of your rights. This falls under your personal liberty and your right to keep things to yourself.
However, wait a minute, despite the fact that disappearing is not against the law, there are some circumstances in which you can be in trouble if you do that. We should break it down into simple words and see which cases really matter.
When Disappearing Becomes a Problem
The point is: randomly disappearing is not against the law; however, it might become a serious issue if you are deliberately evading your legal obligations.
For example:
- Skipping court dates
- Ignoring child support
- Running off while being investigated by law enforcement
Such circumstances have the potential to be transformed into issues with the law in a very short time.
Moreover, a forged death certificate or a fabricated identity with the intention to hide from the tax authorities or creditors is fraudulent behavior. This kind of illegal activity may result in you being imprisoned.
The Emotional Side of Disappearing
Legally, you are allowed to go off the radar, aka vanish. However, the emotional side of the story is quite different and much more complex. In most cases, people who disappear leave those who love them behind, the people can be scared, confused, and sometimes even heartbroken. Parents may convince themselves that you are lost, injured, or dead.
Some individuals who chose to leave later confessed that they accompanied the feeling of guilt throughout their lives. As an illustration, there are authentic accounts of people who abandoned their previous lives and now lament the fact that they didn’t reach out to their families, as in some cases, it became too late. Therefore, despite the fact that it is legal, the emotional burden can be heavier than you had anticipated.
What Happens to the People You Leave?
A missing person report is usually what a family does when a relative disappears. This can lead to police searches, public alerts, and media involvement. If the police determine that you left voluntarily, you can carry on with your life as long as you abide by the law.
Nevertheless, don’t forget that such searches take a lot of police time and resources. There are a few instances in which, if your behavior has caused high costs, the police may request that you pay back a portion of it.
What About Minors Trying to Run Away?
It is different if you are less than 18 years of age. A child or minor is not allowed to go missing without being found. Therefore, the police will look for you and take you back to your parents, or put you in the custody of the protective services for children.
Furthermore, if an adult assists a minor in escaping, he/she may be charged with serious offenses such as kidnapping or child endangerment, notwithstanding the fact that the intention might be good.
