[wordsmither]

... and she's only 10.

She ran away 4 months ago, but returned after 30 minutes - its what led to her hospitalization. She's been doing really well, but its her go to threat.

She tried to run away again a month ago, and we restrained her. But she's getting too big for that.

I will not alarm her room - we had alarms for 2 years, and they became weapons, and the sound of them has totally traumatized my husband and step son.

Part of me thinks I have to just let her go, but that seems crazy to me. And then, what if she does? What do we do? Call the police?

[lovinlifex6]

No advice. Just cyber hugs.

[shy_bear]

I say let her go...my oldest ran away once at age 13. We called the police and hubby went to look for her. She did not get too far. Cops came, we ended up taking her to the local hospital and she was released. We told her that was the one and only time we would chase after her; we love her. We want her to be in our family during the good and bad, but we are not going to chase after her every time she runs. Over a year later things are much better and she has not tried it again. She sees that what she did was foolish. Granted your daughter is younger, so may not get it yet!!

[Rue5LX]

I would just let her run. Call the police and notify them that she ran away. Sounds like she's probably doing this to get attention and control the family. When she sees it won't work, maybe she'll just come back on her own.

[THREEBOYSPLUSONE]

I wish I had the answer. Our son is a runner. He was 9 the first time he ran away. He is now 14 and still runs. In fact he was just hospitalized again this week partly because of running away(although this time it wasnt from here He is in a theraputic foster home as a step down from rtc). The only advice I have is dont chase her if she does. Give her so long to come back and then call the police. The theraputic foster home our son is in has to call after one hour.

[minibus]

I'd say file a CHINS or ARY petition and then let her go. Call the police when she runs.

[RhondaBear]

Could you put a GPS tracker on her? My son has autism and I've considered one for him. LoJack and other companies make them. The important thing is that the local police has the unit which allows them to track that type of device. In some cases you can supply the unit, and for other companies it has to be a police department they're already working with. There's usually a monthly charge, sometimes as much as $100. They go on the wrist or ankle and are impossible to get off. I don't know if they'd give them out for behaviors or if they're limited to autism and Alzheimers, but it could be worth looking into.

[wordsmither]

Thanks for all the replies. It does help.

Last night, I found her stash of clothes and food - even a map, and a note to us. She knows I found it, and isn't happy about it. Fortunately, I had just read your responses, and didn't react negatively. In fact, she watched as I put everything back as I found it. She must be totally confused.

When she first ran, it was her way of coping with bad feelings. This time, it doesn't feel that way. It feels more like she wants to see if she can do it or something. I dunno.

But I've got the police non-emergency number on my phone now, just in case.