Expert: Robin Sexton - 7/26/2009

Question
my daughter ran away from a girls home 2 nights ago in seguin,tx. we found here today in her home town of san antonio,tx safe and sound. i asked her where she had been staying and she informed me that she was at a guys house who lives in our neighborhood and at one time was a friend of the family. he is 26 years of age and still lives at home with his parents. he was full aware that she was a runaway and still allowed her to stay. i am filling charges but i would like to know what i can do to make sure he does more than just a few days in jail.

Answer
Tommy,

Glad your daughter is safe.  First there is very little that you can do regarding sentence.  That is strictly the purview of the court and the prosecutors office.  Two things to consider though.  First your state may allow for a protection order that could be filed against this guy.  There by making next time more serious.  Secondly, and this needs to be done carefully. You need to have your daughter interviewed professionally to determine if anything sexual happened between them.  DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF. You don't want to know, she probably wont tell you and it would mess up any potential charges.  More importantly it would seriously affect your daughter and yours relationship.  If you are going to have some one do this make sure that you are mentally willing to accept their opinion.
Finally keep in touch with the prosecutors office ( don't be a pest).  Make sure they know of your interest and that you are serious.

Good luck

robin